Methadone + Pregabalin + Trazodone - ... - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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Methadone + Pregabalin + Trazodone - So far so good

GuillaumeL profile image
8 Replies

Hi everyone, just wanted to share a good story. Sorry for the telegraphic style, I'm just saving everyone's time.

I'm 33, living in Canada. I guess I've had RLS my whole life, but it started affecting my sleep about 10 years ago. I'm very active (cycling everyday, rock climbing & calisthenics). No other health issue, RLS runs in the family, my father and sister have it & other family members have it on my mother side.

I tried natural remedies at first. Iron supplements, Vit. C, magnesium, B12, even ashwaganda. As a result of supplementing, my Iron/Ferritin/Transferritin is very high, so that's not the culprit. Tried different diets suggested here: gluten free, lactose free, low oxalate, keto, etc. I didn't notice any effect at all, except for cutting food entirely after 5PM and stopping alcohol which both helped.

Tried Pregabalin alone, it helped but only dimmed RLS (like moving from an average of 9-10 of discomfort/pain to a 4). I resisted being prescribed Pramipexol, then had to try it as part of "standard treatment" to get to other medications. It worked well for about 3 months. Then I started augmenting over a period of 3 months with RLS during the day and whole body RLS at night. Took me 3 months to get off it entirely (worst period of my life). Tried cannabis oil during that period, it helped somewhat. However, as a whole, my life was a mess. I couldn't concentrate, I was always tired and feeling depressed. I could work maybe at 30 or 50% of my capacity compared to 5-6 years prior.

In March 2021, I finally met a sleep specialist. I spent night at the sleep clinic, got definitive (brain activity, video and muscle spasms) proof that my RLS was through the f*&%$£g roof. Got prescribed Methadone as a result. At a low dose (5mg), with Pregabalin as support (150mg) it works wonder at controlling RLS symptoms.

However, it caused insomnia. After a few months, I went back to the sleep specialist, got a prescription for Zolpidem. It worked very well for sleeping, but side effects are terrible (depression, difficulty concentrating, joints pain).

Two months ago, I went back to the sleep specialist and got prescribed Trazodone. With these three meds: 5mg Methadone, 150mg Pregabalin and 50mg Trazodone, I sleep like a baby. I still get a peak of RLS around 10-11PM and I still have few bad nights, maybe 1-4 times a month, but since I sleep well every other day, I'm more resilient to those bad nights. I'm now able to work 40 hours per week and train regularly, two things I haven't been able to do for close to 4 years.

I just wanted to share a positive story. Awaiting a better understanding of the various mechanisms by which RLS can operate and a true treatment, I think that with the right meds for the right person (because there are various causes to RLS), it's possible to have a certain quality of life back.

If things start to fall apart, I'll update that story. Till then, no news is good news.

Cheers and best of luck to all of you!

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GuillaumeL
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8 Replies
SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson

That's great! So pleased for you.

GaryHB profile image
GaryHB

Thank you for sharing your story - we appreciate hearing what works for people and what combinations of drugs work. I am also dealing with Insomnia and have been prescribed Trazadone. So Im glad to hear it works for you. All the best.

AmyMac5 profile image
AmyMac5

So pleased to hear you've found what works for you and thanks for taking the time to post your experience on here, hope it continues to be effective. Having got my ferritin levels up, which had a really positive impact on my RLS, I've also been taking Trazodone for the last few months along with codeine and it's working well both for RLS and sleep.

Jumpey profile image
Jumpey

Wonderful may your relief continue. X

I'm pleased for you Guillaume! It's good to hear of the positive experiences out there (recognising it hasn't always been smooth sailing for you).

ratfancy profile image
ratfancy

I am so glad you have found relief. It is surely trial and error for so many.

Merny5 profile image
Merny5

I’m so pleased you have found relief! Keep us posted. Fingers crossed for you!

Newfeet profile image
Newfeet

Hi Guillaumel,I came across your post in the nerve decompression thread. I too have tried many diets and don't think that diet makes a huge difference to RLS if ferritin levels are ok. Though I'm pretty healthy otherwise.

I am in the process of transitioning to barefoot shoes and have found them a real help in relieving the symptoms. Perhaps there is a link here with nerve pressure as barefoot shoes allow the toes to spread out naturally.

Just a thought.

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