RESTLESS LEGS

[cshamb]

RLS

My neurologist suggested i try gabapentin for my RLS. I already use a4 mg neuro patch which doesn't help. Has anyone had good results with gabapentin.

Thanks

[LindaP50]

A friend who doesn't have PD and has restless legs used gabapentin successfully.

Gabapentin is also used for pain and headaches. When I was going through menopause this came along with temporary migraines. My gyn recommended gabapentin and this helped relieve the migraines.

Good luck.

[MarionP in reply to LindaP50]

absolutely correct, Linda

[NJCOL]

My mum was diagnosed with Parkinson’s 18 months ago but has had Restless Legs for about 10 years. After trying all the available medication with poor results her neurologist suggested Gabapentin. However, I believe that it takes about 2 weeks to work and as she cannot sleep at all with her RLS so a two week wait was not viable. She tried it for one night and it did not help at all. The only medication that works is 45mg of Codeine (not ideal having to take an Opoid), which she cannot take every night due to constipation. Hope your experience with Gabapentin is better.

[MarionP in reply to NJCOL]

NJCOL,the answer would be to supply an effective sleep aid for the short-term period of several weeks while gabapentin comes up to effective dose in her system.

[NJCOL in reply to MarionP]

Thank you MarionP for your suggestion. My mum’s Dr has previously prescribed Melatonin, Clonazepam, Diazepam. None of these worked. She was on Ropinirole for about 4 years, but was switched to a 8mg Rotigotine patch. This doesn’t work either. Mum was previously on Zopiclone a number of years ago, but this also gave no relief. If you know of any alternatives please let me know. Thanks for your help. Phil.

[MarionP in reply to NJCOL]

I happen to know for a fact that many of the psychiatrists and neurologists at Mayo Clinic in Rochester prescribe Seroquel for sleep when sleep is difficult or not achieved by lesser means. They have used it in combination with gabapentin for RLS and other uses of gabapentin. So you might want to check with your physician to follow up. You are not going to find a finer reference in the world and he can call some of them if he wants to find out personally.

[Rafiki2]

My wife who has PD suffered with RLS for several months. We tried many approaches, from higher doses of Iron to pain meds etc. She would get up several times a night and I would also try to relieve her discomfort by massaging which only helped temporarily.

I did extensive research on this and came across the Restiffic Foot Straps on You Tube. At first I was very doubtful but out of desperation, we imported a set of these straps as they are still not available in South Africa.

After about 4 or 5 days of using them, the RLS disappeared! She carried on using them for about 3 weeks, applying them mostly at night when going to bed in spite of the discomfort of having to slowly walk with them when having to go to the loo during the night.

We were then told by a physio that muscles retain a memory after about 21 days (very much like riding a bicycle) and to try and do without the straps. My wife stopped using the straps about 4 months ago and to date, her RLS has not come back. Heaven!!

The straps are designed to apply pressure on 2 areas under the feet and apparently the brain perceives pressure as being more important than even pain. Once the brain senses pressure in a particular area of the body, it sends messages to the muscles in that area to relax. This is the same principal of massage or acupuncture.

They are not that cheap (about $200) but we think they are certainly worth it. I can highly recommend these straps and hope they work for you. Just be careful of imitations as a few have sprung up and don't know how good these are.

Incidentally, the Restiffic straps are FDA approved and best of all, unlike medication, there are no side effects. Good luck!

[GrandNan in reply to Rafiki2]

I have used this essential oil for restless legs for over a decade. No side effects and works wonderfully! It is a combination of oils

naturesinventory.com/produc...

[GrandNan in reply to GrandNan]

and while it seems initially odd, instructions are to pump 2-3x and then rub along your back, along the spine ~ which then makes sense, as the oils are absorbed where nerves are located?

[MarionP in reply to Rafiki2]

Bravo!