Before you go the pain pill route and risk getting addicted check out what my doctor gives me and see if you feel it might work. I take carbidopa /levo ER
when my restless legs kick in and it has not failed me yet. I get it almost daily. It is a parkinson's med, but I only take 3-6 a day when it gets bad and those with parkinson's take 36 a day. So the warnings are for those larger amounts. The non generic name is sinemet cr.
Hello there,
I hope things are getting better for you. I am going through the same bout myself with a recent increase of rls during night and day. I went through iron tests which may be something that can cause rls. My tests came back normal so the doc is increasing my ropinerol (also a Parkinson's med) I was at .5mg and will be going up to .75 mg. I only take it 1-2 hours before bedtime. For pain during the day vicodin is my lifesaver.
I also take melatonin right before bed to help ease me to sleep.
Ok, one more,
A nice long walk about 2-3 hours before bed followed by a warm-hot bath with lavendar salts and/or essential oils also helps.
I only recently learned that Ropinirole should be taken several hours before going to sleep. Made all the difference for me. I had been popping it 1/2 hr. before bedtime and wondering why it wasn't working. By taking it earlier, the sensations are gone before I get into bed.
Idaho, Have you tried Ropinirole? Seems like your symptom is mainly pain, rather than restlessness, so I'm not sure if this will work. I have had pain, but not to the same degree. Worth a try, though.
Hoping you get the help you need.
Em