On the edge...

[BabyBoo1910]

Hi everyoneI have just joined this forum as a way to help me get through my opioid withdrawal. At times I found myself using up to 100 cocodamol pills a day but for the past 19 days I have tapered down to around 12-16. I found I was able to deal with all other symptoms no matter how horrific they were but the restless legs are preventing a clean break. I just cant cope with them as they are so extreme. Anybody have any advice for somebody on the edge of sobriety?

[SueJohnson]

Have you tried gabapentin or pregabalin for your RLS? Have you had your ferritin checked? Are you taking any other medicines or OTC supplements?

[SueJohnson]

Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, estrogen, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise. Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga.

[Joolsg]

Do you have RLS or is it now just showing as a symptom of opioid withdrawal?If so, you may find a local council drug clinic will be able to help you through the withdrawal. They are used to dealing with RLS as a symptom and can prescribe the meds to help you through like clonidine. Your GP will also be able to refer you to a drug clinic for help.

Unfortunately, I don't think there's any way to stop the RLS during opioid withdrawal. The 2 classes of drug now used are pregabalin/ gabapentin or low dose opioids, but they are contraindicated where there's any history of taking too many drugs so you'll just swap one addiction for another.

You could also contact a medical cannabis clinic. Cannabis is legal in the UK now and has been used to get people off opioids and it also helps pain, if that's the reason you started the opioids. The doctors would decide whether it's suitable for you.

You definitely need help from your GP and local drug clinic and you clearly want to get off the co codamol.

I wish you strength and really hope you manage to get through this.

[Hidden]

Good afternoon, BabyBoo1910, sorry to read of your distress.

I was not familiar with the term "cocodamol," but just surfed and learned that it appears to be a combination of paracetamol and codeine. I infer that you are not in the US as the combination would be here referred to as acetaminophen and codeine (Vicodin) which, I myself took per Rx as needed for pain until sometime earlier this year.

I mention this not to be pedantic, but to alert you to the dangers of paracetamol when taken at the high doses that you mentioned. Mindful of this, I would add to the comments made by others to suggest that you consider obtaining prompt medical attention from qualified experts so that, in addition to attending to what may be opioid-discontinuance-induced idiopathic RLS, you also may be examined and if necessary treated for any paracetamol-related medical disorders.

Be well.

[TeddiJ]

so sorry you are going through this. I went through it for just one night and it was total hell. I learned a few things after talking to an addiction specialist...they may be your only source of medical help right now, as you have the withdrawal rls on top of the regular rls. However! I used red vein kratom powder to get off methadone after that night (methadone was taken for a short time to get off the rls DA drugs) and found it was much easier to manage kratom than the opioid.

It is easy to measure and reduce, stops the rls, and gets you through withdrawal. Order it below, as tea, so you can sleep and ultimately get the right help and plan. If you are lucky, you won't even have baseline rls when it is all over. Best of luck and let us know how you are doing!

kraatje.eu

[restle]

I have been using kratom for years now. It is used for opioid recovery and RLS. I suffer at night mainly with RLS since having a bilateral hip replacement in 2015. I take red bali kratom every night and it keeps my legs from running off. When trying kratom, start at a low dose and get advice. I am up to 2 tablespoons of kratom powder at night but that is a lot for starters. It will curb withdrawals and RLS. There are different strains, some used for energy and some for pain. Red bali is the one for me.