Is anyone experiencing RLS?

Posted by tess21 @tess21, May 16 9:58pm

I used to have it as a child, whilst in the car usually. I’d say my legs are jumpy. It’s in my mums family. The last couple of years, I’m 71 now, I’ve had it most night. I might fall asleep then wake up with it. I have to get up and walk around. Having my legs on a level with my body is terrible! Anyone have any ideas how to help get rid of, or at least ease the problem?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Brain & Nervous System Support Group.

I haven’t had it since childhood, but it seems like I've read there are meds that treat it, i hope someone who is familiar with them will chime in.

REPLY

I have dealt with RLS for many years (almost 70). I seem to have found a solution in taking two .125mg Pramipexole pills at 6:00 each night, as well as before boarding any flights (where I’ve also had RLS occur). I’ve tried creams and warm showers and other meds, but this works for me. Key is to take it early (I have my Apple Watch alarm set each night) and to keep a supply available. When I forget because we went out somewhere and I don’t have any pills, I can still get an RLS incident and then take a couple of pills, but they may not be effective for 1.5-3 hours.

Good luck! It has been a huge relief for me to find what for about 6 months now has been a largely reliable solution.

REPLY

I take 900 mg of Gabapentin every night and if I have RLS it doesn’t wake me up! I know that is a lot, but no side effects, so far.

REPLY
@illinijohn54

I have dealt with RLS for many years (almost 70). I seem to have found a solution in taking two .125mg Pramipexole pills at 6:00 each night, as well as before boarding any flights (where I’ve also had RLS occur). I’ve tried creams and warm showers and other meds, but this works for me. Key is to take it early (I have my Apple Watch alarm set each night) and to keep a supply available. When I forget because we went out somewhere and I don’t have any pills, I can still get an RLS incident and then take a couple of pills, but they may not be effective for 1.5-3 hours.

Good luck! It has been a huge relief for me to find what for about 6 months now has been a largely reliable solution.

Jump to this post

My experience exactly. I am dependent on Pramipexole, that bothers me but such a relief!

REPLY

Hi Everyone,
I take .25 mg of Ropinirole one hour before bedtime and it stops the RLS. It is a drug for Parkinson's but they have discovered it works for RLS. The only side effect that I have is it makes me sleepy.

REPLY

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea when I was about 52 years old (I now 86). I started experiencing restless legs, RLS about 8 - 10 years later. I have had decent results for a few years with each of the following medications for a few years before needing a change, first Mirapax, then, Ropinirole, and more recently, Gabapentin. The Gabapentin has also eliminated my neuropathy and osteopathic pain, so I am extremely grateful. I am currently on a low dosage of gabapentin, only 300 mg an hour before bedtime.

REPLY

At 81 I am now using Rotigotine patch to ease RLS Was using combination of Rotiginone and Gabapentin for 2 yrs. Prefer external patch to pills. Difficult to distinguish which disorder is causing RLS and neuro pain that can interrupt sleep, as I also have neuropathy in hands and feet. Regular sleep of more than 4 hrs has been challenge Using SCS device for neuropathy. Just tried bedtime dose 5 mg Methadone for sleep. Effective. Got 7-8 hrs sleep but concerned about side effect of day fatigue. May need to adjust dose.

REPLY
@celia16

I haven’t had it since childhood, but it seems like I've read there are meds that treat it, i hope someone who is familiar with them will chime in.

Jump to this post

I take Ropinorole and it works great

REPLY

I have had RLS for several years. Started in my legs then spread to arms too. Day and night. There was times I felt like I was going to lose my mind! I was prescribed Ropinirole starting at 0.25 mg ended up at 4mg. Finally had to have clonazepam added as well. One thing I found was to avoid triggers. Any kind of antihistamine or sleep aid would greatly trigger mine.

REPLY
@hnrharrison

I have had RLS for several years. Started in my legs then spread to arms too. Day and night. There was times I felt like I was going to lose my mind! I was prescribed Ropinirole starting at 0.25 mg ended up at 4mg. Finally had to have clonazepam added as well. One thing I found was to avoid triggers. Any kind of antihistamine or sleep aid would greatly trigger mine.

Jump to this post

I have RLS too and so many nights, after a couple of hours sleep, I walk all around the house! I have been drinking more water in case this helps, and it might have a little. Antihistamines make it worse for me. I take 0.5 clonazepam but it’s not enough. What triggers yours please?

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.