Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

Hi Rustsmith,
I tried methadone a few years ago but it affected my bedroom performance, so I didn't use it for long. Might that have been a short-term issue, and worthy of another attempt? I just tried 'morphine sulf ER" (15mg 2/day) and the first night was unsuccessful: legs (and hand) that demanded movement while the rest of me demanded sleep. I'll give it a few more days.

Roy, I had issues with methadone causing depression. As it turns out, methadone can reduce testosterone production in men. I finally figured this out on my own (my doctors were of no help other than suggesting seeing a psychiatrist, who only wanted to give me anti-depressants). I went to a mens health clinic that tested me and found that my free testosterone was too low. I felt much better after just the first injection. I have been on it for a year now. My depression is gone and I have much more interest in bedroom activities. The clinic does blood tests quarterly to adjust my dosage. I chose to do self-injections, so I give myself a shot in the thigh every four days. The alternative was to go in to have them give me an injection once/week.

So, my suggestion is to get your testosterone levels checked, both free and total if you decide to go back onto methadone.

Roy wrote:What benefits might a drug holiday bring? I understand the "costs": pain getting off oxy, risking further augmentation, pharmacy/doc hassles, but unclear about the benefit it might bring.

Hi sorry I'm so late getting back. The benefit would be to eliminate any dependence you've developed for the medication & re-start with a clean slate, enabling a lower dose to cover your symptoms, thereby eliminating the jitteryness, which appears as the medication wears off. It would only work if the jitteryness is a daily withdrawal, an effect of physical dependence (not to be confused with addiction). I should have been clearer about that.