My Dr. prescribed Restoril. 30 mgs before bed. I've been taking it for the past four nights and am pleased to report I've had four nights of GREAT sleep.
I say she's a goof ball because she was so insistant about getting me off Klonopin but then turned around and prescribed me another benzodiazapine! I don't get it...but I'm certainly not complaining.
I know there are others who are using Restoril (Temazepam) so I thought we could swap experiences.
Wishing you all some rest.
Restoril.....My Doctor's a Goof Ball! :-)
Restoril.....My Doctor's a Goof Ball! :-)
Sole
"If you ever drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let'em go, because, man, they're gone."
"If you ever drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let'em go, because, man, they're gone."
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claradragon
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Wed Jul 21, 2004 5:15 am
- Location: kent,england UK
- Contact:
klonopin
Hi sole
From http://www.rlshelp.org/rlsx.htm
Restoril has a lot shorter action time and causes less sleepiness the next morning.
I found out yesterday that our Family practitioners are not allowed to prescribe klonopin, it's only available in hospitals and for specialist to prescribe!
Hope this helps to make a little more sense of what your doc's doing
From http://www.rlshelp.org/rlsx.htm
Many physicians prescribe Klonopin, as this is the original drug used fo RLS and is recommended by all the general medical textbooks that discuss RLS. Some sleep specialists (and patients) prefer to use this drug for RLS, but our experience has been that the shorter acting sedatives work better for most RLS sufferers.
Restoril has a lot shorter action time and causes less sleepiness the next morning.
I found out yesterday that our Family practitioners are not allowed to prescribe klonopin, it's only available in hospitals and for specialist to prescribe!
Hope this helps to make a little more sense of what your doc's doing
Thanks Clara. I wonder if the shorter half life mean a lesser chance of addiction. That was my doctor's biggest concern. From what I've read about it, it's addictive...but maybe less addictive than Klonopin. So no Klonopin OTC, huh? 
Sole
"If you ever drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let'em go, because, man, they're gone."
"If you ever drop your keys into a river of molten lava, let'em go, because, man, they're gone."
Hi girls - It's Jan
Re shorter life - I believe shorter life refers to how drowsy the meds make you. Klonopin does tend to make you more drowsy longer than other meds. So, you should take it earlier in the evening. I don't know how addictive Klonopin is, but I DO know that you can't just go off of it "cold turkey"--you have to gradually decrease the dosage because, if I'm not mistaken, it can cause you to have seizures if you just quick it abruptly. But, I might be called on that one by Jumpy. I'm not the expert here. Ha! My neuro told me once that since there's no cure for RLS, he doesn't see what the big deal is about becoming "addicted to meds" if it helps. That's kind of the attitude I have. But, of course, it's entirely up to each idividual and I really think everybody has to decide that one themselves. I know I can't stand RLS without meds. I've walked the floor so many nights and felt like I was going crazy (not that you guys haven't done the same darn thing!!). So, I chose to take the meds to get relief. But, some people believe in other approaches and they work for them. I applaud that wholeheartedly!! Whatever floats your boat!!! I wish I had known about some of those approaches 15 years ago, but I didn't. I'll get off my soapbox now. I didn't mean to preach a sermon!!! I guess we all do what we have to do to get along, don't we? Talk to you guys later!!
Jan
Re shorter life - I believe shorter life refers to how drowsy the meds make you. Klonopin does tend to make you more drowsy longer than other meds. So, you should take it earlier in the evening. I don't know how addictive Klonopin is, but I DO know that you can't just go off of it "cold turkey"--you have to gradually decrease the dosage because, if I'm not mistaken, it can cause you to have seizures if you just quick it abruptly. But, I might be called on that one by Jumpy. I'm not the expert here. Ha! My neuro told me once that since there's no cure for RLS, he doesn't see what the big deal is about becoming "addicted to meds" if it helps. That's kind of the attitude I have. But, of course, it's entirely up to each idividual and I really think everybody has to decide that one themselves. I know I can't stand RLS without meds. I've walked the floor so many nights and felt like I was going crazy (not that you guys haven't done the same darn thing!!). So, I chose to take the meds to get relief. But, some people believe in other approaches and they work for them. I applaud that wholeheartedly!! Whatever floats your boat!!! I wish I had known about some of those approaches 15 years ago, but I didn't. I'll get off my soapbox now. I didn't mean to preach a sermon!!! I guess we all do what we have to do to get along, don't we? Talk to you guys later!!
Jan
Call somebody on something?
You ladies are doing fine by yourself and as I wrote somewhere else, I am very proud of you.
I do not call anybody on anything. God forbid that my presence on this board would hamper free discussion! I may correct an erroneous piece of information if it could be harmful to others but I will do that more diplomatically in the future.
I am proud of all three of you as well as several others. This makes it all worthwhile!
It amazes me how different drugs affect different people, and hpw different drugs are sometimes within the same group. You see grouping is done (in lack of a better method) by the chemical composition and structure. However, we do not know how they work and how composition affects the effect.
Between the male and female hormone there is only a negligible difference chemically. But in the effect?? Enrmous difference.
Yes, klonopin has such a long half life that it affects most people the following morning. Half life des not directly relate to how addictive the drug is.
Personally I find hydrocodone addictive. The withdrawal symptoms are smple, beside malaise it is very intense paresthesia.
I do not call anybody on anything. God forbid that my presence on this board would hamper free discussion! I may correct an erroneous piece of information if it could be harmful to others but I will do that more diplomatically in the future.
I am proud of all three of you as well as several others. This makes it all worthwhile!
It amazes me how different drugs affect different people, and hpw different drugs are sometimes within the same group. You see grouping is done (in lack of a better method) by the chemical composition and structure. However, we do not know how they work and how composition affects the effect.
Between the male and female hormone there is only a negligible difference chemically. But in the effect?? Enrmous difference.
Yes, klonopin has such a long half life that it affects most people the following morning. Half life des not directly relate to how addictive the drug is.
Personally I find hydrocodone addictive. The withdrawal symptoms are smple, beside malaise it is very intense paresthesia.
Jumpy Owl
Call somebody on something?
Hi Jumpy, it's Jan
Sorry, I just re-read what I wrote, back on August 12 (I think) and it did sound kind of harsh. I didn't mean for it to sound that way, honest. I just meant that YOU are more expert at medications than I AM and, even though I try to remember what my neuro tells me, I don't see him that often, so my memory of our conversations may not be that good. That's why I always defer to you. I want to make sure people get the absolute correct information. I was pretty sure on that one because I recently had a sleep study done and my sleep study doctor told me the same thing. It is interesting how medicines effect people differently, isn't it? And, thanks for the compliment, by the way! I do think you've given me more confidence! I've learned a lot from you and I keep learning. I'm sure I'm not the only one!! As I've said over and over, just because I've had RLS for so long, doesn't mean I knew a lot about it. I really never had anyone I could talk about it with until now. That's why this board is so important!! And, as I said to you one time, every cog in the wheel is important!! Everyone here contributes in their own way. Thanks for your help!
Jan
Sorry, I just re-read what I wrote, back on August 12 (I think) and it did sound kind of harsh. I didn't mean for it to sound that way, honest. I just meant that YOU are more expert at medications than I AM and, even though I try to remember what my neuro tells me, I don't see him that often, so my memory of our conversations may not be that good. That's why I always defer to you. I want to make sure people get the absolute correct information. I was pretty sure on that one because I recently had a sleep study done and my sleep study doctor told me the same thing. It is interesting how medicines effect people differently, isn't it? And, thanks for the compliment, by the way! I do think you've given me more confidence! I've learned a lot from you and I keep learning. I'm sure I'm not the only one!! As I've said over and over, just because I've had RLS for so long, doesn't mean I knew a lot about it. I really never had anyone I could talk about it with until now. That's why this board is so important!! And, as I said to you one time, every cog in the wheel is important!! Everyone here contributes in their own way. Thanks for your help!
Jan
No one is alone who had friends.
Call somebody on something?
Hi Jumppy, it's Jan again
I just read another thread and a post you wrote in response to a post from "guest" responding to the way you answered Diane. I found it interesting. I think perhaps there was a misunderstanding between you and Diane just as there was a misunderstanding between you and me. I meant absolutely negative when I said the following:
Jan said:
I have often and sincerely referred to you as our resident expert on pharmecuticals and have said we are so lucky to have you. I mean that sincerely. Where I come from, saying that I may be called on is not a derogatory term. at least in the context I used it.
I don't mean to belabor the point, but I just felt like I needed to add this information.
Jumpy said:
I agree that the board needs to remain open for free discussion. That's what makes it wonderful. And, that's what my point was meant to be. I WANTED to be corrected if my information was erroneous because I didn't want to give out harmful or erroneous information to someone. I would not be offended if you corrected me.
Thanks Jumpy!
Jan
I just read another thread and a post you wrote in response to a post from "guest" responding to the way you answered Diane. I found it interesting. I think perhaps there was a misunderstanding between you and Diane just as there was a misunderstanding between you and me. I meant absolutely negative when I said the following:
Jan said:
Re shorter life - I believe shorter life refers to how drowsy the meds make you. Klonopin does tend to make you more drowsy longer than other meds. So, you should take it earlier in the evening. I don't know how addictive Klonopin is, but I DO know that you can't just go off of it "cold turkey"--you have to gradually decrease the dosage because, if I'm not mistaken, it can cause you to have seizures if you just quick it abruptly. But, I might be called on that one by Jumpy. I'm not the expert here. Ha!
I have often and sincerely referred to you as our resident expert on pharmecuticals and have said we are so lucky to have you. I mean that sincerely. Where I come from, saying that I may be called on is not a derogatory term. at least in the context I used it.
I don't mean to belabor the point, but I just felt like I needed to add this information.
Jumpy said:
I do not call anybody on anything. God forbid that my presence on this board would hamper free discussion! I may correct an erroneous piece of information if it could be harmful to others but I will do that more diplomatically in the future.
I agree that the board needs to remain open for free discussion. That's what makes it wonderful. And, that's what my point was meant to be. I WANTED to be corrected if my information was erroneous because I didn't want to give out harmful or erroneous information to someone. I would not be offended if you corrected me.
Thanks Jumpy!
Jan
No one is alone who had friends.
Sensitivity and honesty!
Hello, Jan:
You are a sensitive person and so am I, even if in a different way. My only saving grace is that I try to keep away in a discussion to be personal. I almost never attack the person. I argue the issue. And while I believe what I say or write is the truth, in a discussion I do not care whose opinion eventually turns out to be right. It is really not important who is right in my view as long as we arrive at the truth as well as we can approximate it. Then everybody wins. This is the way it should be in science, medicine, etc.
Leo Szilard, the famous atomic scientist during and after the second WW, said that in his famous book about the porpoises:
The way I see it - says one porpoise to another -the main difference is between the scientist and the politician is that the scientist is searching for the truth. The politican is convinced that he/she is already in the possession of truth, his/her only problem si to convince the others of that!"
And I add that this is why a politican never listens and dominates the conversation. I try not to be a politician and I believe that most of the time I succeed in being a scientist. To cover up or ignore the truth to spare somebody's feeling might be a good, diplomatic move, but in the long run it does not serve humanity IMHO.
I ALWAYS welcome comments on what I say whether it is pro and con. I am the happiest if I inadvertently say or write something that is not quite true or outright wrong (nobody is capable of knowing everything) AND then somebody corrects my mistakes! Unfortunately, it seldom happens... not because I am always right but because people want to spare my feeling. PLEASE DON'T!
I think I understood what you meant Jan and took no offense at all! My comment was really aimed at someone else, who is recently posting anonymously, and his (her?) aim appears to be destroying the good work that has started in here. When I wrote that post apologizing to Diane, I had not realized that yet.
See my latter comments to him/her on Forum: Pharmaceutical Therapy discussion, topic: "A cure at last", and also my comment and reply of Claradragon on Forum New To RLS and the topic: "Mood swings on Neurontin."
I have no bone ti pick with you Jan. I just appreciate all the contributions you make even while carrying a heavy load of your own!
Lots of (((hugs)))!
You are a sensitive person and so am I, even if in a different way. My only saving grace is that I try to keep away in a discussion to be personal. I almost never attack the person. I argue the issue. And while I believe what I say or write is the truth, in a discussion I do not care whose opinion eventually turns out to be right. It is really not important who is right in my view as long as we arrive at the truth as well as we can approximate it. Then everybody wins. This is the way it should be in science, medicine, etc.
Leo Szilard, the famous atomic scientist during and after the second WW, said that in his famous book about the porpoises:
The way I see it - says one porpoise to another -the main difference is between the scientist and the politician is that the scientist is searching for the truth. The politican is convinced that he/she is already in the possession of truth, his/her only problem si to convince the others of that!"
And I add that this is why a politican never listens and dominates the conversation. I try not to be a politician and I believe that most of the time I succeed in being a scientist. To cover up or ignore the truth to spare somebody's feeling might be a good, diplomatic move, but in the long run it does not serve humanity IMHO.
I ALWAYS welcome comments on what I say whether it is pro and con. I am the happiest if I inadvertently say or write something that is not quite true or outright wrong (nobody is capable of knowing everything) AND then somebody corrects my mistakes! Unfortunately, it seldom happens... not because I am always right but because people want to spare my feeling. PLEASE DON'T!
I think I understood what you meant Jan and took no offense at all! My comment was really aimed at someone else, who is recently posting anonymously, and his (her?) aim appears to be destroying the good work that has started in here. When I wrote that post apologizing to Diane, I had not realized that yet.
See my latter comments to him/her on Forum: Pharmaceutical Therapy discussion, topic: "A cure at last", and also my comment and reply of Claradragon on Forum New To RLS and the topic: "Mood swings on Neurontin."
I have no bone ti pick with you Jan. I just appreciate all the contributions you make even while carrying a heavy load of your own!
Lots of (((hugs)))!
Jumpy Owl
Sentisitivity and Honesty
Hi Jumpy, it's Jan
Hey--Thanks for the reply. I guess I should have left well enough alone!! I always feel a need to "over explain" everything, and, as you know, that gets me in trouble. Ha! I probably could have been more concise, but I was afraid that would have sounded a little curt and I didn't want that at all. I probably should have ignored the whole thing. It's no big deal in the whole scheme of things. I guess I just don't want other people on the board to read it and think that I am super sensitive, when I really did want to be corrected if I was wrong. Oh well, I'll eventually learn not to stick my foot in my mouth some day!! And I truly believe YOU ARE THE EXPERT, not me!! That's not just silly flattery, Jumpy. Anyway, hope you got some sleep. You see, it's early here and I'm up--the usual. Oh well, the life of an RLSr. Ha!
Jan
P.S. Once again, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I really don't want to give out wrong info! I MEAN THAT!!! I want to help, not hinder, someone's sturggle. Thanks, Jumpy!
Hey--Thanks for the reply. I guess I should have left well enough alone!! I always feel a need to "over explain" everything, and, as you know, that gets me in trouble. Ha! I probably could have been more concise, but I was afraid that would have sounded a little curt and I didn't want that at all. I probably should have ignored the whole thing. It's no big deal in the whole scheme of things. I guess I just don't want other people on the board to read it and think that I am super sensitive, when I really did want to be corrected if I was wrong. Oh well, I'll eventually learn not to stick my foot in my mouth some day!! And I truly believe YOU ARE THE EXPERT, not me!! That's not just silly flattery, Jumpy. Anyway, hope you got some sleep. You see, it's early here and I'm up--the usual. Oh well, the life of an RLSr. Ha!
Jan
P.S. Once again, please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. I really don't want to give out wrong info! I MEAN THAT!!! I want to help, not hinder, someone's sturggle. Thanks, Jumpy!
No one is alone who had friends.
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Xsn10s
Restoril
Hi Sole,
Wanted to tell you I've been prescribed Restoril for my RLS since before I ever saw a neurologist and got any real medication for it. My primary care doc gave it to me in 1991, and I've taken it off and on ever since, sometimes in conjuction with the Sinemet my neurologist has me on as she agrees that it can help and now prescribes it for me also. It's good, but I wanted to let you know that I found I did not feel its effects if I took it for more than a few days in a row. This caused me, at one point, to start taking two of them at a time. It worked, but I stopped there because I was afraid of addiction. Now, the Sinemet extended release meds I take work a lot of the time, and I only take the Restoril when I'm at the end of my daytime functioning rope because of exhaustion (usually on the weekends so I can sleep in!) Hope it continues to work for you.
Wanted to tell you I've been prescribed Restoril for my RLS since before I ever saw a neurologist and got any real medication for it. My primary care doc gave it to me in 1991, and I've taken it off and on ever since, sometimes in conjuction with the Sinemet my neurologist has me on as she agrees that it can help and now prescribes it for me also. It's good, but I wanted to let you know that I found I did not feel its effects if I took it for more than a few days in a row. This caused me, at one point, to start taking two of them at a time. It worked, but I stopped there because I was afraid of addiction. Now, the Sinemet extended release meds I take work a lot of the time, and I only take the Restoril when I'm at the end of my daytime functioning rope because of exhaustion (usually on the weekends so I can sleep in!) Hope it continues to work for you.
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webmasterbill2
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 2:57 pm
- Location: Silicon Valley
Restoril (temazepam)
My physician started me on Restoril at 7.5 mg/night a couple years ago. He at first suggested 15mg/night but I asked for a smaller dose to see if that would be sufficient. It made a big difference in changing my RLS from being an almost nightly occurrence down to maybe happening once a week. Then my doc started me on Paxil last year and RLS took a huge jump upward. Aaaaaargh! I did a few things on my own after that....almost totally eliminated caffeine, took an analgesic at bedtime, started iron supplements, and all that helped, but the RLS continued to sneak up on me. Just a month ago my doc increased my 7.5mg/night of Restoril (temazepam this time) to 15mg/night and that has made a big difference.
-Bill
Bill, as a rule of thumb you should not increase a drug dose in order to fight the side effect of the other drug.
This means that PAXIL should be off limit. If your doctor is so sure you need another antidepressant he could prescribe for you another which is NOT a dopamine antagonist!!!!
Please get another doctor or a second opinion. I would not trust my health to any individual especially whose advice goes against common sense.
This means that PAXIL should be off limit. If your doctor is so sure you need another antidepressant he could prescribe for you another which is NOT a dopamine antagonist!!!!
Please get another doctor or a second opinion. I would not trust my health to any individual especially whose advice goes against common sense.
Jumpy Owl
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webmasterbill2
- Posts: 4
- Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2004 2:57 pm
- Location: Silicon Valley
Two meds?
Thanks, JumpyOwl, for your insights. Sounds quite reasonable. Still, I don't necessarily think it's too much of an issue to work two medications in combination, particularly if doses are low to moderate and the outcome is as hoped. AFAIK, it's actually not all that uncommon, particularly if the balance of the two provides the desired outcome, and presently that is the case for me (fortunately). (My Paxil dose is minimal, as it turns out, which is also fortunate.) But next time I see my doc, I'll ask if there's some other antidepressant that is less prone to accentuating RLS. (And I'd like to be able to drink caffieneated coffee again! Starbucks profits dropped just as soon as I started Paxil.)
Still, I don't necessarily think it's too much of an issue to work two medications in combination, particularly if doses are low to moderate and the outcome is as hoped. AFAIK, it's actually not all that uncommon, particularly if the balance of the two provides the desired outcome, and presently that is the case for me (fortunately). (My Paxil dose is minimal, as it turns out, which is also fortunate.) But next time I see my doc, I'll ask if there's some other antidepressant that is less prone to accentuating RLS. (And I'd like to be able to drink caffieneated coffee again! Starbucks profits dropped just as soon as I started Paxil.) -Bill
Thanks, Bill:
From another thread on this forum:
I hope it helps. You are right of course that some times you just have to take two interfering drugs together. But in your case I do not see it justified especially since you are taking the culprit drug at a low dose.
(3) Antidepressant Medication
This class of medications should be used with caution in RLS patients. Antidepressants can worsen RLS symptoms more often than help them. As depression is a common problem, especially in patients with severe and persistent RLS problems, antidepressants are often prescribed for RLS patients. RLS patients who are put on antidepressants and notice worsening of their symptoms should inform their physician of this problem immediately.
There are no specific guidelines for using antidepressants in RLS, and generally they are used for RLS in the same doses as for depression. The oldest antidepressants, the tricyclics, tend to worsen RLS more than they help. There are two antidepressant drugs, Wellbutrin and Remeron which have more dopamine like effects, so may have theoretically have more positive actions on RLS. This however, has not been looked at systematically yet.
For more info take a look at this website: http://www.rlshelp.org/rlsrx.htm
I hope it helps. You are right of course that some times you just have to take two interfering drugs together. But in your case I do not see it justified especially since you are taking the culprit drug at a low dose.
Jumpy Owl