Pregnancy Journal

RLS occurs more frequently in certain populations, including people with end-stage renal disease, women during pregnancy, and people with iron deficiency. Also, RLS/WED in the elderly and children brings other challenges. Sharing your experiences may be extraordinarily helpful to others.
ViewsAskew
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Post by ViewsAskew »

Sarah, I am SOOOO glad that Julie is here to help! All I can do it murmur soothing sounds, lol. In your situation, knowledge is power. And, what a wise woman to contact Dr B and connect them.

Julie, you rock.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

sarahjj
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Post by sarahjj »

Its week 28, the beginning of my 3rd trimester, and I have finally made the switch to Methodone (from Oxycontin). I just started it yesterday. I am on a total daily dose of 30mg. The plan is to see how it goes over the next couple of days and make adjustments as necessary. I feel such a sense of relief to now know that I am on a dose that will protect the baby from withdrawls at birth. Stay tuned!
~Sarah~

badnights
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Post by badnights »

Finally! Good luck and I'm sure things will be better now, for you and the baby.
Beth - Wishing you a restful sleep tonight
Click for info on WED/RLS AUGMENTATION & IRON
I am a volunteer moderator. My posts are not medical advice. My posts do not reflect RLS Foundation opinion.

ViewsAskew
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Post by ViewsAskew »

Great news!
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

sarahjj
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Post by sarahjj »

Wow, 30mgs was way too much. I just woke up from my methadone-induced coma and have decided to decrease the dose to 20mg. The good news is that I have had ZERO rls symptoms since starting methadone. I'm now going to go say a little prayer that the methadone continues to work at the lower dosage.

BTW, has anyone who takes Methadone ever dealt with panic attacks as a side effect? I've had a few panic attacks since starting methadone and wonder if its related or not.
~Sarah~

ViewsAskew
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Post by ViewsAskew »

Hi Sarah,

So happy to hear it's working. Hope that 20 works for you.

I have never had panic attacks with it. It sort of wires me initially (several hours). When I do sleep, it's a 10 hour coma :-).
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

fraujoolie
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Post by fraujoolie »

Hi Sarah,

I have been a little panicky, but I don't think it's related to the Methadone. I think it's hormones related to pregnancy (pre-/post-natal). Yeah, 30 mgs is a big dose to start out with. When I transitioned over to Methadone from Tramadol (via a week of Oxy), I started with around 2 or 3mg, because the 5mg was just too strong. I couldn't handle it, felt sick and knocked out. Like the worst hangover of my life. After about two weeks of slowly increasing my dose, I felt better. But it did take about 2 wks to feel stabilized on it.
Julie

sarahjj
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Post by sarahjj »

Its week 35! Jacob Richard is scheduled to be born in November 25th, the day after Thanksgiving. I am very happy to tell you that my blood sugar numbers are under control, I show no signs of pre-eclampsia and my RLS symptoms are completely GONE on the methodone. Yes, you read that correctly....GONE!!! The baby is doing remarkably well. He is growing at a normal rate, under no stress, shows no signs of ANY abnormalties and, best of all.....has little to no chance of being born with any addiction/withdrawl issues. My docs are so surprised that we are doing this well. They completely expected me to be hospitalized or at least bed ridden for my entire 3rd trimester. They expected the baby to have all kinds of issues and spend some time in the NICU. They expected and prepared me for the worst case scenario. And now, with just 2 weeks to go before the baby can be technically considered full term, they are beyond thrilled at our progress and positive outcome. I feel better this trimester then I did during my first and second trimesters and I really think alot of that has to do with the methodone. I take 15-20mg per day and my RLS symptoms and attacks are completely gone. Because sleeping is so hard right now for normal pregnancy reasons, the methodone is allowing me to nap during the day and rest as much as I wish. I cannot say enough about how it has effected me in such a positive way. I don't remember a time of my life....ever.....when I have been completely symptom free. There has never been a time when I have been able to nap during the day, sleep through the night, ride in a car, sit and do homework with my son without having major symptoms, if not a full attack. But now, not only has the methodone taken all that away for me, but I will also be able to stay on it after birth and breastfeed my baby boy without fear of harming him. And that means the world to me. I am a Christian woman, so I give God all the credit and glory for this wonderful blessing. I am so very blessed.

I go for Non-stress tests on the baby 2 times per week from now until he's born. If they see anything they don't like, they will deliver him immediately. So there is still a chance that Jacob could be born earlier than the 25th. However I'm no longer worried about any of that. I will keep you posted over the last few weeks and, of course, let you know how the hospital experience goes when Jacob is born. Thanks for everyone's support and encouragement. This forum has been very helpful to me during this time and I am very grateful for you all.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to pee. :D
~Sarah~

Polar Bear
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Post by Polar Bear »

A wonderful and beautifully positive post.

We will look forward your updates ........
Betty
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation

ViewsAskew
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Post by ViewsAskew »

Image

It's my nature....I can't help but wish that the one specialist would have listened about the methadone from day one.

I told you so's aren't particularly effective, though....

Mostly I'm so happy it's working out well. Looking forward to next set of happy news.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

badnights
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Post by badnights »

Sarah I love reading posts like that! So happy that you've found some peace, and a long-tem solution! And educated a group of doctors on the side.
Beth - Wishing you a restful sleep tonight
Click for info on WED/RLS AUGMENTATION & IRON
I am a volunteer moderator. My posts are not medical advice. My posts do not reflect RLS Foundation opinion.

fraujoolie
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Post by fraujoolie »

Great news! Congratulations, Sarah. Wishing you a smooth L&D!
Julie

sarahjj
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Post by sarahjj »

I love LOVE my perinatologist! Dr. Airoldi (Jim) in Bethlehem, PA is an amazing doctor. He didn't know anything about RLS and treating it with Methodone until he met me. But because I was his patient, he made it his business to learn as much as he could. Every time I went to see him, he told me about the research he was doing and had questions to ask me about RLS. I had many great opportunities to educate him beyond his own research (from a patient perspective). My last visit with him (last week), he produced 4 medical studies he had found regarding RLS with pregnant women and the use of methodone during pregnancy. He was so proud of himself! He gave me copies of the studies, all excited to be sharing them with me. LOL! I really appreciated his enthusiasm to understand me and my medical condition as it relates to my pregnancy. He has been an amazing advocate for me with my regular OB and pediatrician and he has learned alot that he will take with him to the next patient he meets like me. I can't say enough about how happy with this doctor. He is amazing!

He had originally set my delivery date for 11/25, however he has discovered a problem with my placenta which is prompting him to move up my delivery date to anytime between 11/9 and 11/16. I will find out the exact date early this week, but my preference will be 11/11/11. I will be at 37 weeks so baby Jacob should be fine. But, we are prepared for whatever happens.

I am still very happy with the methodone and how it is covering my symptoms. I do have mild episodes every once in a while in the middle of the night. However its nothing that I can come even close to complaining about!! I am very blessed. :D

I'll post again with the final date for delivery. Stay tuned.

Sarah
~Sarah~

ViewsAskew
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Post by ViewsAskew »

Sarah, he sounds like a saint! How I wish we could imbue all doctors with his characteristics.

Let us know as soon as you can after you've come home after delivery.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

fraujoolie
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Post by fraujoolie »

Just read on Facebook, Sarah is being induced on 11/11/11!!!!

Best of luck to you Sarah! I can't wait for an update. :)
Julie

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