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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

Restless legs coming off coke?

L

Life's a Trip

Greenlighter
Joined
Oct 13, 2011
Messages
5
I used coke heavily for a year and a half, and I'm now (happily) four weeks clean. My normally restless legs have been driving me CRAZY - during the day but much, much worse at night (kicking, can't sleep, etc.). Do you think this could still be a bit of an after effect from coming off coke or is it likely something else lifestyle-wise? I've been having social drinks a few times a week, which I hardly did before. I know that can worsen restless leg syndrome. Thanks.
 
It definitely could be directly attributed too the seizing of coke usage. Congrats by the way!

Heightened anxiety is often a cause of restless legs. Heavy coke usage could have lasting effects on anxiety/depression for a bit. You may not feel bad or even all that anxious, but you may be, and its only symptom is intensifying your restless legs.

stress relievers would be the best thing. As in healthy ones. workout, try an herbal routine of supplements such as Valerian root and Kava Kava. Also a multi vitamin, fish oil, and a b complex.

Could also be non-related to the coke, or not directly related to stopping. could be change of lifestyle sense stopping.
 
Just thought I would put my 2cents worth in. I get the same crazy legs when coming off meth, where literallly my legs will shudder uncontrollably every 2-3 mins for hrs b4 I sleep. I read up on it and was horrified to see that the leg trembles/twitches resemble those of a parkinson's disease sufferer.

This can be attributed to us (sometimes unknowingly) tensing groups of muscles throughout the time for extended periods. This is like pulling a rubber band all the way (without snapping) then when the gear wears off the rubber band or leg muscles must relax into their normal position so to speak.

Not exactly a medical analogy, I know, but the way it was explained to me. Potasium eg through bannana's is a good thing to have prior and also calcuim tablets. I drink also, and have not had problems whilst drinking. congrads on leaving it alone so far!
 
Thanks! That makes a lot of sense - a mix of anxiety and other things. I do tense up a lot (bad TMJ problems, etc.) And the rubber band analogy explains a lot, too.
 
My whole body seems to shake when im coming off stimulants. I will often be laying in bed and think someone is walking around just to realize im the one shaking my bed haha
 
I sometimes get very bad restlessness when coming off a stim. If a 6 hour stimulant high can cause 2 hours of moderate anxiety and restlessness, then i would believe, habitual use may result in much longer stretches of increased anxiety after stopping. Its like you have a month long comedown, instead of 2 hours.
 
When i quit cold turkey off of heroin for 4 days i was a wreck RLS being one of the worst symptoms, i did not sleep for 3 days, i took cold showers, drank tea, took iron supplements nothing helped like they were supposed to help with.
 
I get restless legs, bouncing feet causing my whole body to shake on stimulants and synthetic cannabinoids ALOT. Especially comming off gear.

I had a shroom trip recently and was even restless legs on that, but only mildy and afterwards I haven't jittered or had restless legs at all.

Underlying aniexty I cannot feel due to my emotional numbness?
 
Heavy cocaine use over a year and a half is could certainly have led to your now troublesome RLS. I would guess mainly that it could be attributed to lowered levels of DA (dopamine), and I might suggest a drug to help with that such as Mirapex or Requip, both of which directly help via that mechanism. I might also guess that if you were to take either of those, they MIGHT help with any potential cravings as the DA levels would already be elevated from where they are now. Wellbutrin is another drug I could see helping, but I would use this one in lower doses than usually rx'd as you would want to use it throughout the day and night, not just during the day, so that you could be provided with more consistent relief. Wellbutrin does more than just work as DNRI, but has effect on nicotinic receptors, as well, and effect on other receptors. Again, I think it has the potential to help the RLS and the cravings. There are a number of sedatives and anti-hypertensives you could use, but they would likely only lead to easing the RLS via methods other than what is likely causing it, and could lead to unwanted side-effects, including addiction depending on the drug chosen.
 
I have RLS (thank you Abilify!) and I'm on the max dose of Requip for RLS, which is 2 mgs BID (twice daily). They make the med in 5 mg pills but my dr told me 4 mgs/daily is the max for this condition. *shrugs*
Anyway, it does help. I still have bad moments but not nearly as bad as I did in the beginnin, even on ropinirole (Requip) however at a dose of 0.25 mgs then..
I'd say I still have RLS most often daily, however, they're managable. I only get "please cut off my legs" flare ups 2-3 times a month now.
Also, I'm on Zanaflex (tizanidine) which is for MS but has helped with the RLS wonderfully!
If it continues or is just too much, talk to your dr. Neither are controlled subatances so as long as you're honest about the RLS, I don't see why s/he wouldn't help ya out there.
GL! RLS sucks!
 
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