Restless leg relief?: From time to time at... - Cure Parkinson's

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Restless leg relief?

jenniferdunstan profile image
11 Replies

From time to time at bedtime I develop a hollow, twitching feeling in my legs that makes it impossible to sleep or get comfortable. To stop it, I've been taking 200 mg of Gabapentin and that seems to work but I don't want to keep taking it on a daily basis as it causes fatigue and numbness.

Also, please tell me the purported benefits of medical marijuana.

Thanks in advance.

Jennifer

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jenniferdunstan
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rhyspeace12 profile image
rhyspeace12

Marijuana helps my husbands' restless legs and anxiety. It also makes him talk a lot. LOL

It is legal here in California, but we get it from friends who grow it and it isn't considered a special variety of "medical "marijuana..

His neurologist also gave him Trazadone 50 mg to sleep at night and calm the restless legs.

jenniferdunstan profile image
jenniferdunstan in reply to rhyspeace12

Thanks very much for taking time to reply. I'm assuming that your husband is getting a dose of THC in his vs. the manufactured weed MJ outlets that provide MJ without the THC, which is responsible for getting high.

In any case I'm glad your husband found relief.

Burlingtongal profile image
Burlingtongal

I have restless legs also. Neuro put me on ropinerole, which has worked well for me. I take it about 3 hours before bed and it does the trick.

jenniferdunstan profile image
jenniferdunstan in reply to Burlingtongal

Thank you very much, Burlingtongal! I will inquire about it.

Jennifer Dunstan.....I was initially put on Mirapex for RLS, and it was effective. However, I gained 40 lbs. over 9 month period. Yuck! Turns out to be one of the possible side effects.

My neurologist had me drop the Mirapex, and then doubled my Sinemet CR dose before bedtime. It worked just as well, but I have yet to figure out how to get rid if the 40 lbs. My metabolism was affected by the Mirapex, but I believe Sinemet can also have the same side effect. (?)

Good luck.

jenniferdunstan profile image
jenniferdunstan in reply to

Thank you for responding. I'm always amazed at how differently people experience PD. I lost weight on Sinemet and find it to be a mild appetite suppressant. I will ask my neuro about Mirapex.

As to losing weight, a friend of mine (without PD) lost 30 lbs. at a weight loss clinic called F.I.T. I don't know if they are national chain or not. They gave her a diet and exercise plan and some diet pills that suppressed her appetite and made her feel good.

Best of luck,

Jennifer

in reply to jenniferdunstan

Jennifer, please look up Mirapex for all kinds of other nasty side effects. The increased dosage of Sinemet before bed is still a better approach from both my experience and several other friends with PD. Your neurologist would be your best resource in the end if you are one of the lucky ones to have someone who "cares".

BTW I was down to 2 hrs of sleep at night with RLS and spent two years being treated for insomnia before RLS was diagnosed, and it was me who asked the question about the possibility of RLS as my symptoms were not the 'normale' ones, if there is such a thing!

Again, good luck.

PS I live in BC, Canada. I think you may be in Britain?

jenniferdunstan profile image
jenniferdunstan in reply to

Many thanks for your response. I do have a scheduled appt with my neuro in mid-Sept so I can probably wait until then. Last night I took 300 mg of neurontin (gabapentin), plus a low dose Klonopin, plus my usual Sinemet just half of one 25/100 tablet. Not a good mix to take regularly I know but I really wanted to sleep. I don't actually know from personal experience what taking too much Sinemet feels like--do you know?

Anyhoo, I'm going to find the right mix eventually I know, I just need to be proactive in finding it.

So you're lucky enough to live in BC? Love that area as I live in New Mexico where the dryness is quite something not to mention the blistering summers.

I'm American but I spent a fair bit of timing living in London, so lucky me.

in reply to jenniferdunstan

I take 3 Sinemet CR 25/100 at bedtime. My dosage regimen is set by my neurologist......total of 9 each day. Dosages are 1 1/2 of Sinemet approx 5 hrs apart.

Good luck. I hope you quickly find a solution for your RLS.

jenniferdunstan profile image
jenniferdunstan in reply to

Kind of you to write. Thank you.

BUZZ1397 profile image
BUZZ1397

This would not be good for any elderly person to do every night but from time to time to defeat sleep deprivation it is alright. Drink only about 4 ml of children's liquid Benadryl and see if your legs behave and let you sleep.

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