Vicoden for Restless Leg Syndrome

alane · Silver Member Joined: 04 Jul 2001 Posts: 230

Hi, has anyone used Vicoden for restless leg syndrome? I have been taking Requip for some time, but it makes me sleepless. I need to change therapy.

kilker · Newbie Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Posts: 16

Hi, you probably mean Vicodin, a medication based on hydrocodone. It is used to relieve pain and is administrated for mild to moderate pain. I have been taking Lorcet for years to deal with RLS, and I find it to be effective. Hydrocodone is it’s active ingredient, also an analgesic that is available in combinations with paracetamol. You need to find an optimum dosage. I believe that optimum dose for me is 15-20mg. This drug belongs to group of narcotics and can induce physical adjustment. So, Vicodin can be good treatment option for pain in RLS, but you need to keep in control how much opioid analgesic you are taking.

Guest · Guest

Yes I use 2 vicodin and 1800 mg of gabapentin a night for my rls. I have used requip in the past but it does nothing for me. I have had rls since I was a teenager. I'm now 55 yrs old. If you know of anything else please post.

dlene · Newbie Joined: 31 Jul 2008 Posts: 3

I don't like taking prescription drugs for anything unless absolutely needed. For my RLS I have found a herbal mixture called RELORA as a good med for my RLS; it relaxes me some and allows me to sleep most the night. And then when the RLS is at it worst, I also take a small dose of Xanax. Currently I just had a total right hip replacement and taking high power pain killer; but the RLS got so servere with sharp inner thigh cramps that came on instantly and lasting for 10 to 15 seconds. Finally after 2 days out of the hospital the RLS cramps were more servere than the surgery site itself, so I just STOPPED the high power pain killers and only taking Tylenol now along with Relora, and Xanax at night as needed.

TheGeeze · Posted: 07/31/08 - 15:05 Post subject:

I would certainly avoid something as addicting as Vicodin for RLS. If you need to take a pain medication for RLS, try tramadol. It is a synthetic opioid that has a very low addiction potential. In fact, in many countries outside the US, tramadol can be obtained over the counter. I can attest to it's effectiveness for RLS.

Babbs · Newbie Joined: 18 Aug 2008 Posts: 2

I no longer have symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome since I started the following regimen:

- avoid caffeine at least 4 hours before bedtime
- avoid all sugar and carbs at least 2-3 hours before bedtime
- take magnesium before bedtime

Magnesium citrate in the powder form that you mix with water works better that magnesium oxide. It helps calm you and your muscles.

Many Americans have low levels of magnesium because the foods that contain magnesium aren't foods that most Americans typically eat enough of. As you increase your calcium intake, you should also increase your magnesium intake. Calcium constricts muscles and magnesium relaxes muscles, so that's why it's important to keep them in a proper ratio, calcium to magnesium, 2:1. Americans tend to consume large amounts of milk which is full of calcium, and doing so increases the body's need for magnesium.

As far as the caffeine, sugar, and carbs are concerned, I found out about those by accident. I went on a low carb diet and noticed my RLS symptoms went away completely. However, I had to also avoid caffeine after around 3 or 4 in the afternoon. If you don't wish to go on a low carb diet, just try not to eat any carbs or sugar within a few hours of bedtime.

Get your iron levels checked by your doctor first, and if your iron levels aren't low, in which mine were not, then try magnesium, and the reduction of carbs, sugar, and caffeine. It may or may not work for you, but it has worked perfectly for me. Good Luck!

By the way, some people claim that increasing magnesium in their diet via food or supplements has also helped with migraine headaches, heart problems, tics, nervous disorders, ADHD, insomnia, and many other ailments. There are several books written about magnesium and plenty of websites, so do your research and check with your doctor first.

Vicoden for Restless Leg Syndrome

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