Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

HI,
I am experiencing something weird. I have been alternating hydrocodone and kratom for many years. I can usually feel when it is time for my next dose. But after taking a dose and within a minute or two I get increased and often unbearable symptoms. Usually they last 8 to 10 minutes until the medication kicks in or is fully digested. I have tried taking my meds awhile before they are due and it still happens. This does not happen before every dose but it usually happens once or twice a day. Can someone tell me what is going on and why I should be getting the opposite reaction to the very medications that are supposed to be relieving my symptoms.

Ken

My guess is that you already suspect what I am going to say. The eight to ten minutes isn't enough time for your meds to be causing the problem. I take methadone and know that it if I am late in taking it, I will get relief after about 20 minutes, which I interpret to mean that it takes about 20 minutes for the medication to be adsorbed into my bloodstream and make it's way to my brain.

In your case, I would guess one of two things is happening. The first is that you are taking the med around the time that the last does has worn off. The second guess is that it is sort of an anticipatory reflex. Your body is low on opioid and your brain knows that more is on the way and so your subconscious is doing what it can to say, "hurry up".

Rustsmith wrote: Tue Nov 12, 2024 3:29 pm My guess is that you already suspect what I am going to say. The eight to ten minutes isn't enough time for your meds to be causing the problem. I take methadone and know that it if I am late in taking it, I will get relief after about 20 minutes, which I interpret to mean that it takes about 20 minutes for the medication to be adsorbed into my bloodstream and make it's way to my brain.

In your case, I would guess one of two things is happening. The first is that you are taking the med around the time that the last does has worn off. The second guess is that it is sort of an anticipatory reflex. Your body is low on opioid and your brain knows that more is on the way and so your subconscious is doing what it can to say, "hurry up".

Yup.

Thanks for your comments. Like I said I tried to take meds earlier than needed and still met with response. But RLS with me is quite unpredictable. I have taken a dose of meds (both Kratom and Hydrocodone) and the symptoms were not relieved, even after an hour. I had to re-up and pace the floor until the extra meds took effect. Yet I can play a three-hour afternoon session of tournament bridge and get by without taking any meds. But when I stay home and read I have to make certain I am dosed to the max in the afternoons. On road trips I don’t take need to take any meds during the day. So it seems when I am actively engaged in something I really like the RLS stays at bay. All I can do, I suppose, is do my best when it comes to dealing with this unpredictable condition. Btw I heard that this “symptoms come on when the meds are taken” is called “paradoxical” something or other. Can’t recall what. Thanks again.

For some people being actively engaged in something may keep the symptoms at bay, hence you being comfortable playing bridge for 3 hours.

I have taken a dose of meds (both Kratom and Hydrocodone) and the symptoms were not relieved, even after an hour.
This comment, where you say the symptoms were not relieved even after an hour, sounds like you took the meds whilst having symptoms. The meds don't work so well if taken after symptoms have begun and they have a much bigger fight on their hands.

Btw I heard that this “symptoms come on ... radoxical”

A paradoxical response to a medication is one where the opposite effect from the one that was expected occurs, such as a laxative causing constipation or an anti-histamine causing a runny nose. These are usually more severe effects, but you get the idea.

This comment, where you say the symptoms were not relieved even after an hour, sounds like you took the meds whilst having symptoms. The meds don't work so well if taken after symptoms have begun and they have a much bigger fight on their hands.
Betty

I am very careful to not let the time lapse. I have an idea how long a med will provide protection (I have been on Lortab for 18 years and Kratom for 7) and I take my meds well before danger zone. To my knowledge I have never waited to take the meds until the symptoms appeared. The symptoms are so dire I wouldn't want to risk it. Also I know the very slight warnings that precedes an onslaught of symptoms, like watery eyes or a twinge in my extremities. Distant thunder before a storm. Quick action prevents symptoms....most of the time. I have been known to go from 5:00 am to 5 pm without taking a med on the days I play bridge. Unfortunately I am not able to be so actively engaged in interests all of the time. I have a time schedule to take my meds, and I keep to it. Even have an alarm to awaken me in the middle of the night. But sometimes I do everything right and end up pacing or doing hot soaks anyway.

btw for some reason I am not getting notifications in my inbox for replies to my posts. I do have "notify me when reply is posted" checked. Not in my spam file either. I have been member here for more than ten years and never had this problem before....same email address as well.

Like you I stick to a time schedule for my meds, and I sometimes have random times when it does not work. I have been unable to find an answer to my 'random times'.

The only time I have ever received an email notification is if I have actually been quoted within a reply.

Like you I stick to a time schedule for my meds, and I sometimes have random times when it does not work. I have been unable to find an answer to my 'random times'.

The only time I have ever received an email notification is if I have actually been quoted within a reply.

Thanks. It is reassuring to know I am not the only one with random misfires. We just persevere, then. They must have changed the notification process. As I recall I used to receive notifications for all responses. But I haven't been active for awhile.

I have long held a theory that I have what I call "pre" (or subclinical) symptoms. My brain recognizes them as the very beginning of symptoms, but I don't have any of the typical symptoms, but rather a general anxiety/restlessness in my being. This is when I might decide to take medication, or get up and walk around. Within a few minutes, full symptoms show up. I am not aware, but aware, if that makes any sense at all.

Could that be what is happening?

have long held a theory that I have what I call "pre" (or subclinical) symptoms. My brain recognizes them as the very beginning of symptoms, but I don't have any of the typical symptoms, but rather a general anxiety/restlessness in my being. This is when I might decide to take medication, or get up and walk around. Within a few minutes, full symptoms show up. I am not aware, but aware, if that makes any sense at all.

Could that be what is happening?]

It could be. It is an interesting theory I will have to think about. I do know that I have a definite physical signal that RLS is on its way: watery eyes. When they become watery I am out of my chair and mixing a dose of Kratom. Usually catch it in time but sometimes not. RLS is so unpredictable with me. For instance last night I had a wonderful sleep. Got up twice to take my usual doses of Kratom. Went back to bed and fell fast asleep with no wait-times nor paradoxical effects. Sometimes I will have nights like this a few days in a row and it flips and I start having problems I have written about in this post. I will pace until the meds take effect or I end up using hot compresses on my legs until they have calmed down. Get little sleep. I get so angry and frustrated and then a period of extended relief comes for my night's rest. Anyhoo, thanks for putting forth your theory. I will think on it.

Ken