How long does it last? I have been off sub for almost 10 days, and am finding that it's very restless at night, but feels like jelly during the day. Seems so imbalances. When will this go away?
Anybody get RLS coming off subutex or suboxone? Any suggestions?
Question posted by maximus99 on 16 Oct 2011
Last updated on 19 December 2021 by Marjoey
16 Answers
Marjoey
19 Dec 2021
Does tramadol have codeine in it ?
I have terrible restless and sore legs the second I wake in the morning
KeithT
18 Dec 2021
Try Tramadol for restless legs.
Heebeegeebeegirl
28 Jan 2021
I was diagnosed with RLS over 20 yrs ago. I had given birth to my 2nd child and my symptoms got progressively worse! I thought I was crazy! At that time very little was heard about RLS. I researched and found very little. Sometime after my first born I had a failed cervical surgery basically doctor gave me a huge scar on back of neck scraped arthritis and closed! It was then RLS came out more! I honestly don’t know how I functioned! While doing therapy & traction the PT gave me a book on fibromyalgia and in that book one of the symptoms I read were feelings of uncontrollable urge to move!!! RLS!!! Still not knowing what or where to go! Several years later I had the second surgery being a C4/5/6 fusion.
A final success! However it brought out the RLS with a vengeance! It was then while recovering I noticed that the pain meds were actually helping! By the grace of God somehow I learned of a Dr at the JFK Neuroscience center! Off I went! After many sleep studies he diagnosed me RLS!! I was put on Pramipexole and 5mg oxycodone. I was on my way to a better sleep and life! After years of falling asleep in shower & bathtub, walking the house in middle of night, exercising bc I couldn’t sit. The more activity I had during day the more I’d get RLS! My other health issues were also there. Always had back pain as a teenager and it was getting progressively worse as I got older. I was then diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Yeah me. I started to see a pain management doctor. Had at least 50 different types of injections, nerve root burns you name it I had it. Then out insurance changed thanks to Obamacare!!! I could no longer go that doctor. I found another who basically just prescribed pain meds and I felt pretty good. RLS had been controlled for about 10 years or so. My pain tolerable. Fast forward 2020!! My doctor was flagged by another patient’s insurance company and all hell broke loose!! It is now January 2021 I’ve been in a hell of moodiness, feeling up feeling down, pain is let’s just say I can’t function! RLS haha it comes like a demon in the night!! So although coming off or being forcefully tapered off pain meds may be great for some for others there are a slew of worms waiting to get out to attack your insides!!! RLS is not a joke! Especially to people who actually have it! I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. So if the person who asked the question or anyone else needing it, my advice to help with feelings of urge to move get up and move and when you get tired jump in and take a hot shower! Oh and get your iron checked to. Good luck to all and to all a good nights sleep!!!
Funstuff
25 Feb 2020
Guys,
I found out something that helped my RLS over last few days! Try rubbing Vicks Vapor Rub on your legs. This stuff stinks pretty bad, but it helped my RLS. I have no idea why this works!
Funstuff
27 Feb 2020
Forgot to tell everyone this info. DO NOT take Benadryl as it will intensify your RLS. I also have a homedics PA-1 massage unit that helped my RLS. I would turn it on a medium setting and put my foot on the thing for as log as it irritated me. The massage unit worked the best for me.
Dragonfly44
22 Feb 2020
I'm not sure if your still looking for help with RLS. I had it severely during the first few months of coming off opiates and starting the subs. I am over 4 years clean now but still have occasional troubling nights. The only thing that helped me sleep thru the whole night was a mild muscle relaxer. I take Zanaflex 4mg tabs 1-2 at bedtime. None of the over the counter PM medicines worked for me. It would help me fall asleep at first, then would still wake by midnight with restless legs or insomnia. I also have severe anxiety/depression so my mind tends to take over as well. My Doc is kind enough to let me stay on my Klonopin this whole time. A lot of MAT doctors won't let you be on an anti anxiety medicines so I had to search an interview with several. Best of luck! Have had the same pain management Dr. for the past 3 years.
Its made all the difference in the world for me to have a physician who understands my needs instead of trying to take away all my necessary medications away. He is also pro medical marijuana and some of my friends on subs swear by it as well. Unfortunately, I can't take THC due to my job but it might be an option for you!
Mantis toboggan
21 Feb 2020
This is very common coming off any type of opiate. My suggestion is to get a magnesium supplement that offers a high bioavailability. Magnesium oxide from most stores are not very good, the best supplement is magnesium l threonate, followed by magnesium glycinate
Available online. Take one or 2 before bed, preferably after soaking in a bath or hot shower. Also if you're able to get gabapentin it works very well for that.
Funstuff
10 Feb 2020
The quick answer... seems like forever and everyone is different. I've dealt with RLS for quite a long time and the only thing I can say truly helps is time. RLS is caused by a dopamine deficiency from the opioids. I've found bananas helpful, like 6 of them; I'm guessing the potassium in them helps. The other thing that helps are supplements like L-Tyro-sine, Fish Oil, Potassium citrate, a good multi-vitamin, Vitamin B6 & B12.
There is a whole science behind why this works. Something about Gaba not crossing the blood brain barrier etc. Basically, you have to wait it out and it will go away eventually. There is a whole youtube video about supplements and why they help, you should watch.
After years of dealing with RLS its the only thing that really helps are hot baths, supplements and time. Your brain chemistry needs time to heal, but generally speaking it took me 2-3 months to subside.
youcandoit999
6 Feb 2020
Probably tapered off too fast when done properly you dont feel hardly anyside effects, I know alot of people want to be off totally for various reasons, I tried it my way not so good,then did a slow taper with my dr and am feeling great. As far as relief potassium and serotonin will help
aalley
7 Feb 2020
Where do u get serotonin
Coryriley817
7 Feb 2020
How did your doc taper you off. I took about .25 mgs a day for about 3 weeks then stopped.
Kathbar42
5 Feb 2020
Use magnesium powder. Mix with water. Also, epsom baths help a lot. It should ease up. Sometimes RLS lasts months.
Tomtomthepipersson
5 Feb 2020
I know this question is 9 years old but maybe I can help... was on suboxone for 15 years until my psychiatrist was arrested and closed his practice in 1 day for selling scripts. So like an idiot I stopped cold turkey. I won’t go into how bad the first 3 weeks were. HELL. I’m now in my 5th week and I feel 90% better, just the RLS and insomnia at night and during the day is unbearable. Hopefully another couple of weeks and I’ll be fine. Who knows. It DOES get better. Good luck to all
Funstuff
2 Jan 2013
There is something called a TENS machine that works pretty well for my RLS. Stimulates your leg muscles and nerves. I normally only get it in one leg so I dip one of the electrodes in water(makes them last longer) and sticke them on my leg, then wrap an ace bandage around them so they dont come off in the night. The worse your RLS gets, the higher I turn up the TENS unit.
Inactive
6 Sep 2012
RLS while coming off of Subutex, suboxone, or any other opiate is caused by withdrawal and will go away once you're done with withdrawal!!! It's as simple as that!!
subzero58
6 Sep 2012
Only time will help it go away completely,but have you tried drinking quinine water and putting a bar of soap under your covers? I know it sounds crazy but both help alond with a good multi vitiumn potassiumn and bananas. motrin may help too. subzero 58
Paige78
6 Sep 2012
Subzero, PLEASE elaborate more on the "bar of soap under your covers" statement. And where exactly do you place the bar of soap? Close to the foot of the bed, or the head of the bed? How does this help? I heard quinine water is supposed to be awesome but you have to take it carefully in the beginning, no?
Paige78
6 Sep 2012
Subzero, PLEASE elaborate more on the "bar of soap under your covers" statement. And where exactly do you place the bar of soap? Close to the foot of the bed, or the head of the bed? How does this help? I heard quinine water is supposed to be awesome but you have to take it carefully in the beginning, no?
subzero58
6 Sep 2012
put a bar of soap under your covers or if you just use a bed sheet cause it still kinda hot during the summer.put it between your feet and it will really help with leg cramos and RLS dont ask me why but it does help.you can see my post in leg cramps group... good luck. and let me know if it helps subzero58... pete
raerae76
5 Sep 2012
I have heard that taking Potassium supplements and/ or eating bananas are good for muscles and help with RLS. I am currently tapering off of Subutex (prob faster than I should) and found this to be helpful.
If you don't mind me asking, what was your dose before you finally stopped?
I am on .25 mg/ day, the only WD symptom I'm still having is insomnia. Wondering how long THAT will last and how long before I should taper down again and / or stop completely.
Good luck to you and congrats for being totally off the Subs!
Jillynnie
9 Nov 2011
Thor,
Hi there. I am sorry I did not see when you posted this question. I wanted to talk to you about my taper, but I am not able to ask you a PQ. If you are okay with talking with me, can you 'friend' me so I can send you a question?
Thank you, and I hope your day is going well for you,
~Jillynnie
Related topics
suboxone, subutex, opiate dependence, restless legs syndrome
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