Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

I was taking 17.5 mg of Methadone over 24 hours. I first decreased to 15 mg, 5 mg every 8 hours. Then I started the muscle relaxant, Tizanidine in order to wean off gabapentin 1800 mg. I did that. Then I stopped the muscle relaxant. I haven't had any leg spasms or RLS since July 20th and before that it was not everyday. It was starting to decrease.
I am down to 10 mg of methadone. 5 mg at 1 pm and 5 mg at 9 pm. I did that for the last two nights. Today I took 2.5 mg at 1 pm and 5 mg at 9 pm. I'm taking a risk, but I need to see how far I can decrease it.
Something had definitely changed. I feel different. I have been very busy doing things that used to bring the spasms on. Time will tell. I guess I will try this another 3 nights. Maybe my back fusion helped, Oct 2019. It takes awhile for nerves to heal.
I know from the last time I weaned off the methadone, it took a month to get out of my system.
This is so weird. I have suffered for the last 39 years. I can't believe it really, but I'll take it.
If this doesn't work I don't know what I will try to do. I have tried over 20 meds.

Darn it, a backspace ended up eating my message.

Hope it holds! As you noted, it's a really long half-life, so could be awhile before it shows up. Fingers crossed.

In the past when I took a chance and cut back by 2.5 mg I got spasms right away. This is so weird.

Here is what I've done so far:

17.5 mg for a months,
15 mg for 10 weeks,
12.5 mg for 2 days,
10 mg for 3 days,
7.5 mg for 1 day
I'm awake tonight, but no leg movement. I probably should go back to 10 mg. I know the insomnia is withdrawal. The important thing, no leg movement.
When I looked up methadone it said:
It takes 2 to 13 days to get out of your body, but it takes 8 to 59 hours for ONE dose to get out if taking it for pain.
I guess I will take 2.5 mg for a total of 10 mg tonight.
Sorry for such a detailed note. Just trying to figure it out.

That really is great news.

Whatever it is? You'll take it, I imagine!

I wish I had a back up med. I have the feeling I will need something.

Are you weaning off the methadone because you think your WED/RLS is gone? Or because of the central apnea or other issues?

Weaning off because I haven't had any leg movement since July 20th. I just wanted to see how far I could go. It's difficult to get it. I'll be looking for a new Doctor. I just wanted to try. It also plays a factor in my central sleep apnea. I don't have a good heart.

I HATE opioid induced insomnia. This is the third night of it. I am so exhausted. I was just starting to sleep so well. It felt deeper and I wasn't waking up every 1 or 2 hours. I was sleeping 4, 5 and 6 hours and then going back to sleep more.
I think tomorrow instead of taking the methadone at 1 pm and 9 pm, I will try 12 hours apart. 1 pm and then when I wake up during the night. At least I hope I will be sleeping. That's what I did before, I switched to every 8 hours instead of being clumped around evening and bedtime, like 4 hours apart.

debbluebird wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 26, 2020 7:54 am

I HATE opioid induced insomnia. This is the third night of it. I am so exhausted. I was just starting to sleep so well. It felt deeper and I wasn't waking up every 1 or 2 hours. I was sleeping 4, 5 and 6 hours and then going back to sleep more.
I think tomorrow instead of taking the methadone at 1 pm and 9 pm, I will try 12 hours apart. 1 pm and then when I wake up during the night. At least I hope I will be sleeping. That's what I did before, I switched to every 8 hours instead of being clumped around evening and bedtime, like 4 hours apart.

It really is the pits, isn't it????

I'm going to stay at 5 mg of methadone every 12 hours. I think that is as far as I can go down without adding something else.
When are they going to get new meds?

debbluebird wrote: ↑

Sun Sep 06, 2020 10:50 pm

I'm going to stay at 5 mg of methadone every 12 hours. I think that is as far as I can go down without adding something else.
When are they going to get new meds?

Sure wish I knew.

I moved my methadone an hour earlier and an hour later, so more like 10 hours apart instead of 8.
I also added back 1/2 tablet, 1mg, of Tizanidine. It is taking care of them. I am packing every day so my spasms are back. Another reason I feel they are related to my lower back pinched nerves. My RLS is under control. I am moving to Albuquerque the first of Oct.

The lower elevation should be good for you. Packing is not good for anyone! I hope it goes as well as possible and doesn't aggravate your back too much.

debbluebird wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 11, 2020 1:49 pm

I moved my methadone an hour earlier and an hour later, so more like 10 hours apart instead of 8.
I also added back 1/2 tablet, 1mg, of Tizanidine. It is taking care of them. I am packing every day so my spasms are back. Another reason I feel they are related to my lower back pinched nerves. My RLS is under control. I am moving to Albuquerque the first of Oct.

Hope you're not in the fire area, Deb.