Use this section to discuss your experiences with prescription drugs, iron injections, and other medical interventions that involve the introduction of a drug or medicine into the body. Discuss side effects, successes, failures, published research, information about drug trials, and information about new medications being developed.
Important: Posts and information in this section are based on personal experiences and recommendations; they should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a healthcare provider.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.