For those that currently use or have used cannabis in for RLS, what was the frequency and dosage?
My husband has RLS and uses cannabis for his RLS. I’m not sure about the exact dosage but suspect approx. 1 g daily. He uses it every single day and starts in the day, sometimes early morning. On average he smokes at least 5-6 times a day, sometimes more, could be less.
I spoke to him about it, but he says that he’s just restless (he has quite a severe form of RLS from a young age). However, I suspect cannabis abuse. Though of course I cannot prove as I’m always just told that he’s restless and I don’t understand how bad his RLS is. I want to be sympathetic, and I have been for a long time, and I’m also well aware that cannabis does indeed relieve symptoms for many people. But constant use throughout the day makes me doubt if cannabis is solely used for RLS or it’s becoming just an excuse, so looking for experience from people with RLS themselves.
P.S. I’m well aware of all other types of medicines, tests and treatment methods for RLS. He’s on gabapentin, previously tried various orher medicines without much long-term success (including DAs). We did discuss some other alternatives, such as buprenorphine but ultimately it’s his choice. He feels content smoking cannabis daily and does not seem to want trying something else at the moment.
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SunnyMead
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I'm afraid you won't like my reply, as I use way, way less than your husband. I've had RLS for 13+ years, and came off pramipexole a year ago. Now using buprenorphine and trying to transition to gabapentin. I use cannabis frequently, mainly to help with sleep. But it does also quiet my RLS a bit when I use it while having symptoms. I generally take either one 5mg gummy (Indica strain - the relaxing one) or one vape. I believe I experienced cannabis withdrawal when I stopped for a few days recently, even with my really low consumption. Cannabis withdrawal is not common, but it's also not rare. So I am much more aware of my usage and use less and skip a day or two a week now.
I feel like I did really develop a dependence on it, and would rationalize having a vape a couple times a day if I had a headache, nausea, or anything else a little uncomfortable (like all the buprenorphine side effects) or was depressed. I think RLS and the medication management we all are forced into to deal with it takes such a toll on overall mood and well-being that cannabis use can become a crutch because it does ease the pain. It helps my depression, but that generally requires a little higher dose in order to get a significant high. So I'm sympathetic to your husband, but unless he's in his 70s or 80s, I would suggest trying to taper down.
Thank you! I really appreciate your reply, and I do welcome various experiences - as someone who doesn’t have RLS myself, it’s not easy to fully grasp it, hence reaching out to those who can help me understand it better. So thank you!
I absolutely believe that cannabis helps with RLS - I haven’t got doubts about it. My doubts are more around when does cannabis use becomes a dependency, and not just something to help to relieve the RLS symptoms alone. I do hope, in a way, that the replies here will prove me wrong. Thank you once again!
Apart from gabapentin, is he on any other medications? When did he stop dopamine agonists?Cannabis can help RLS. Is this medical cannabis?
Certainly cannabis can become habit forming. Once off dopamine agonists, RLS usually settles to affect us in the evening and nights. If he's using cannabis all through the day, it would seem he's using it for reasons other than RLS.
It would be a lot cheaper to switch to a med that covers his symptoms 24/7 like methadone or Buprenorphine.
He’s been off DAs for almost a year. He used to smoke cannabis when on DAs but not as much. This more excessive cannabis use throughout the day started when he was weaning off DAs (rightly so). But it never went back to the same amounts like before.
He went through phases of medical and non-medical to be honest while trying to find which strain works best. Still hit and miss as for many others I believe.
I never questioned him smoking at 3 am at night, I absolutely get it. But I do question him smoking at 3 pm in the middle of the day and really don’t know what to think.
It’s true, that cannabis effectively stops RLS. But only if you inhale it. The edible forms do not seem to work at all. Personally, I would not recommend inhaled cannabis because it’s probably hazardous for your lungs. Cannabis smoke contains many carcinogens and while vape smoke is safer, it still is considered dangerous by the medical establishment.
Your best bet is sticking with established treatments from a pulmonologist / sleep specialist.
I had excellent relief of RLS with THC gummies. It did take a few hours to hit the RLS, but it lasted through the night. I stopped it as it quickly accommodated and the amount I needed affected me through the next day
I take a gummy every night to calm the pain in my legs so that I can sleep. As someone else said, I use the indica strain. I take the gummy as late as possible (when I am very drowsy and ready to fall asleep) to get more hours from it. But I do always wake up at some point in the night with pain. But I am able to get decent sleep most nights. Side note, I am not even sure my condition is RLS but I have had every test done to rule out other issues. Will see the doc at Hopkins in March. I was on gabapentin and it worked at first then made things worse. I don't want to try other drugs.
As Sue points out to people, if you want to confirm that you have RLS, ask the doctor for a 3-day supply of pramipexole. It's not something you want to stay on - it's a DA (dopamine agonist). But if it completely relieves your symptoms, it's a good indicator that you have RLS. From your description, it doesn't sound like RLS. But there is a wide range of how it manifests in people.
I find that gummies last about six hours. You might want to try taking one earlierier - say 8pm. Then a second around 2am if you are up during the night for a bathroom run or if your pain awakens you. Are you using 5mg or more per gummy? I wouldn't worry about using two per night if it works for you. Cannabis is probably better for you than a lot of the medications that the rest of us use. 😃
It’s so interesting. I think many said inhaling cannabis works best, but I can see quite a few people are using gummies as well, and that seems to help. Wish we had them in the UK! (At least as far as I’m aware we don’t)
Have started on Bupramorphine patch and I find that it works in the day to stop my cancer pain but not strong enough at night to prevent RL:S. I asked my doctor if I could have additional sublingual Bup to aid in sleep and RLS hut she was very confused and is having to do some research. She suggested i take extra Oxycodone but I have read that Bupramorphine is a partial agonist and binds preferentially over the Oxycodone (full agonist) therefore it would block the effect of Oxycodone. She didn't seem aware of that. I am in limbo now waiting for her to come up with some help for me with RLS at night. I am taking cannabis as Bupramorphine does not cause respiratory suppression. I find the cannabis helps me to get to sleep and does help my RLS to a certain extent. At least when I take the cannabis I feel sleepy, relaxed and chilled. I do find vaping the flowers is the way to go as it is instant and I can tell exactly how strong it is. I hope she prescribes me some extra sublingual Bup at night.
I take gabapentin for RLS and have cannabis— medicinal for breakthrough . It’s oral and the dose is a tiny amount measured by syringe. Its0,20 mg and works well but makes me dizzy so I go straight to bed in case I fall over. I’m female and 88. It’s a hideous disease. I would love to be able to take cannabis as your husband does! But yes it seems a bit excessive. His choice I guess.
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