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How Can Restless Leg Syndrome Be Treated?
I am suffering terribly from RLS. It starts in the evening and intensifies later around bedtime. I have been on Ropinirole ER 2.0 mg. plus Ropinirole 2.0 mg for break-thru during the day. I ve been on the regular Ropinirole for years now and wonder if I ve gotten immune to it. For about the last 2 weeks, I have literally been up walking the floor at night until my legs calm down. On a couple of occasions, I ve only gotten about 2-3 hrs. of sleep, and it s driving me nuts as well as causing me to feel like I m walking around during the day half-asleep. Two days ago my doctor prescribed Gabapentine 300 mg. to be taken before bedtime. If needed I can can two capsules, which I ve done the last two nights. The next morning I am noticing jerking-type movements in my hands for a few hours. I also don t feel quite right, like I m in laa-laa land for awhile. Then this all clears up and I m back to normal. Should I be concerned over this and is there any other thing I can do to help this awful RLS?
Mon, 21 May 2018
Hello and thank you for using HCM!
I have read your question and understand your concerns!
My answer is as follows:
While it is true that Ropinorole (dopaminergic drug that increases the release of dopamine in the brain) is a recommended medication in RLS, it is also true that its long term use could actually worsen the symptoms of RLS. Such effect is known as augmentation. I think that this could partly explain the complains you are experiencing now. Therefore, with the advice of your doctor, you can consider changing Ropinorole and start using an alternative drug.
Here are some tips to help you face your condition:
- Try to change your habits - caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can worsen the symptoms of RLS. Therefore, in case you take them, it is time to limit them or quit.
- Some other medications could worsen RLS symptoms, including antihistamines, SSRIs, anti-depressants, tramadol, anti nausea drugs, etc. Therefore, in case you are taking any of them then you have to consult with your doctor.
- Try to improve your sleeping hygiene as it could help managing your complains related to RLS.
- Try to take some vitamin supplements (vit. D, C, E), or iron supplements (in case of iron deficiency anemia) as they could relieve symptoms of RLS.
- Engage in physical activity, several times a week, as this could be very effective to manage RSL symptoms. This could include also yoga, stretching, massaging (very relieving for some people with RLS) or other activities as well.
- For some people the use of foot wraps (putting pressure in specific points of your legs) is a very effective way of addressing RLS symptoms. Vibration pads also have helped many people with RLS to sleep better.
- Acupuncture could also be of benefit for relieving RLS symptoms.
- You can also use benzodiazepines to induce sleep, but I do not recommend such drugs because of their dependency potential.
I think that you have quite a lot of possibilities to manage your RLS. My advice is to rely not only on medications but you should be actively looking for other solutions, including some of those described above.
As always, such measures should be applied in close collaboration with your doctor.
I wish you the best of luck!
I have read your question and understand your concerns!
My answer is as follows:
While it is true that Ropinorole (dopaminergic drug that increases the release of dopamine in the brain) is a recommended medication in RLS, it is also true that its long term use could actually worsen the symptoms of RLS. Such effect is known as augmentation. I think that this could partly explain the complains you are experiencing now. Therefore, with the advice of your doctor, you can consider changing Ropinorole and start using an alternative drug.
Here are some tips to help you face your condition:
- Try to change your habits - caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol can worsen the symptoms of RLS. Therefore, in case you take them, it is time to limit them or quit.
- Some other medications could worsen RLS symptoms, including antihistamines, SSRIs, anti-depressants, tramadol, anti nausea drugs, etc. Therefore, in case you are taking any of them then you have to consult with your doctor.
- Try to improve your sleeping hygiene as it could help managing your complains related to RLS.
- Try to take some vitamin supplements (vit. D, C, E), or iron supplements (in case of iron deficiency anemia) as they could relieve symptoms of RLS.
- Engage in physical activity, several times a week, as this could be very effective to manage RSL symptoms. This could include also yoga, stretching, massaging (very relieving for some people with RLS) or other activities as well.
- For some people the use of foot wraps (putting pressure in specific points of your legs) is a very effective way of addressing RLS symptoms. Vibration pads also have helped many people with RLS to sleep better.
- Acupuncture could also be of benefit for relieving RLS symptoms.
- You can also use benzodiazepines to induce sleep, but I do not recommend such drugs because of their dependency potential.
I think that you have quite a lot of possibilities to manage your RLS. My advice is to rely not only on medications but you should be actively looking for other solutions, including some of those described above.
As always, such measures should be applied in close collaboration with your doctor.
I wish you the best of luck!
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