RLS: Jodi's med holiday

[Guest guest]

Dear Jodi,

I salute you for your efforts to participate in the RLS study. I myself

have also gone through the hell of strings of sleepless nights and RLS to

beat the band. Your post struck a real responsive chord in my life when I

quit Xanax cold turkey after four years and experienced after that what

full-blown RLS/PLMD (which had been masked by the Xanax) really was. I

remember the time when I ran out of medication on a Wednesday before

Thanksgiving only to have the pharmacy tell me they couldn't fill it for

four more days, and the doctor nowhere to be found. I was fully awake for

five straight days, trying to keep some semblance of sanity at the big

family get-together. I know the frustration, because none of us likes that

stinking word " dependency " , because it conjures up all kinds of

connotations of emotional and moral weaknesses, which of course is NOT the

case. Which one of us wouldn't jump at the opportunity to be rid of this

dreaded malady and be med-free?

I know you really wanted to do this, not only for yourself, but also for

us, your fellow sufferers, and I applaud and thank you, and everyone else

participating in this great opportunity. Know that your dreadful

experience with RLS/insomnia rebound has not gone unappreciated by your

friends and fellows on this list.

Hope you sleep well in the nights ahead, Jodi.

Jeff P. 45

Co. Spgs.