Kratom question

[Whippetmama]

I'm thinking about buying this to have on hand for those really rough nights we all have occasionally. I know nothing about kratom but am aware of the dangers. Tell me,: should I buy this? Thanks.

[Hazuki]

I found it invaluable when coming off ropinirole, however when I then came to come off kratom the withdrawal was pretty bad, if you have it for occasional use them it can be a really useful tool against RLS, if you do end up taking it regularly then be prepared for it to eventually become less and less effective and you'll need to take tolerance breaks.

[Jumpey in reply to Hazuki]

I took it very helpfully for about a year. It gave me around 4 hours sleep.Sadly it then caused oesophagal pain and I had to stop using it .Worth a shot I would say.

[SteveWess]

I took Kratom Red Bali for about a month as a substitute for Tramadol because I didn't like the side effects of Tramadol, which I took for about six months. (I augmented from Pramaprexol one year ago after 16 years and it was horrible!! I tried Gabapentin and other first line drugs per the Mayo Clinic 2021 algorithm and needed Tramadol just to get some sleep.)

I loved the Kratom at first taking 2-3 teaspoons nightly, but had to keep increasing dosage each week. It made me feel very comfortable and my body quickly craved it. I didn't like the way I felt during the day and my wife said my personality was changing for the worse. Then, I got my blood checked and had high liver enzymes, therfore, I had to quit. I went to Tramadol and it was significantly less effective. I had a few days a severe depression (never had before in my life), which I believe was withdrawal from Kratom. I became desperate for help.

Thanks to this site (Jools), I was able to talk my doctor into Buprenorphine about 3 weeks ago, which eliminated the RLS with barely a side effect. I am elated and have my life back.

Back to Kratom, some use it and don't have issues. I truly believe everyone is different. Also that those who have augmented on a dopamine agonists are different than others. I would say try just be very cautious!

[Meritus in reply to SteveWess]

See my earlier posts as a new user so still experimenting but it does definitely work for me!

[involuntarydancer]

I find it great - more effective against my rls, much easier to reduce/discontinue and with fewer side effects than opioids. Unlike SteveWess, I didn't find any impact on my personality - at least none that family members have commented on. I do notice that kratom can affect people quite differently though.

I'd say it's well worth a try against rls. If it works for you great and if it doesn't - you haven't lost too much.

[Jerry57]

I say, yes, give it a try. I agree with Hazuki, "it can be a really useful tool against RLS ..." Also, I like what involuntarydancer said, "much easier to reduce/discontinue and with fewer side effects than opioids." Also, "I'd say it's well worth a try against rls. If it works for you great and if it doesn't - you haven't lost too much."

My own experience is that Kratom is weak, almost like tea. It helps me a little, but I wish it did more. I sometimes use it to supplement my tramadol. I would love to find something stronger that doesn't require a prescription. Good luck!

[SueJohnson in reply to Jerry57]

Have you had your ferritin checked?

[Dougg]

Hi Whippetmama. I used kratom for years to effectively control my RLS. My one caution is to be certain of the source and purity of the kratom product. Sadly, there have been a number of cases where kratom was spiked with dangerous substances, causing harm to the people who used those products and resulting in kratom getting a bad name. A great source for kratom vendors who use Good Manufacturing Principles is available on the American Kratom Association's web site at americankratom.org/gmp-qual.... Good luck, and I hope that kratom provides you RLS relief!

[TheDoDahMan]

For about a year, kratom allowed me to sleep, when no other meds would. But I had to keep ramping up my dosages because of increases in tolerance. When I was finally able to obtain a prescription for low-dose (10 mg per day) methadone, my problematic sleep issues completely resolved, and I've never had to increase my methadone dosage.