Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

Bronwen wrote:While I was using methadone for breakthroughs, along with a DA, my sleep was poor and made worse by the methadone.
When I switched to methadone alone my sleep improved immediately and dramatically. I was gobsmacked.
It was the DAs, as I had always suspected.

From my reading, both can cause issues with sleep architecture; however, experience has shown me that it is dependent on the person.

Other things that you might want to consider to improve sleep quality are meal timing, circadian rhythm (awake/sleep time), light exposure; and room/body temperature. Adjusting any of these factors can help improve sleep quality in the long run.

It was pramipexole, for many years, despite any benzos I gobbled in desperation.
At the time I commenced the drug, insomnia was listed prominently in the package insert as a 'common' neurological side effect - that appears to have disappeared.
I was severely sleep-deprived, and going more than a little bit mad. Life went out the window, completely.
When I piggy-backed methadone on pramipexole I had the 'alerting' effect and slept even less, but when I ditched the pramipexole (which I did overnight) I started sleeping through the night immediately. I am now able to sleep for eight or nine hours, which I have not done for decades.
I take 3mg methadone at about five in the evening, and another 3mg two hours later, in syrup form.

I would give up a lot to be able to sleep 8 hr a night.

badnights wrote:I would give up a lot to be able to sleep 8 hr a night.

OMG—so with you on that!

Reading this thread because I’ve an appointment this Tuesday with a specialist in San Diego and reading up on people’s experiences with methadone. My current cocktail is a DA (Neupro), oxy, and Horizant ER. I’ve been pretty stable without breakthroughs for a few weeks, but I’m torn about it. On the one hand, I want to get off DAs for good but on the other, I’m fearful if the doctor recommends methadone. I just have to wait and see what the doc recommends...

ViewsAskew wrote:Truly makes my mind a crazy place. Lucid dreaming, frequent awakenings, hot flashes and have to cool off before I can sleep, etc.

ViewsAskew-you describe me & and my head on any given night-with or without DAs or opioids

Bridgercan wrote:

ViewsAskew wrote:Truly makes my mind a crazy place. Lucid dreaming, frequent awakenings, hot flashes and have to cool off before I can sleep, etc.

ViewsAskew-you describe me & and my head on any given night-with or without DAs or opioids

Yikes!!!!! My brain has always been pretty quiet in terms of unwanted thoughts. The songs that will NOT stop are maddening! I still remember one time I had 3 different songs all playing at the same time...so disconcerting!