Coincidence or not....?

[toolcreep]

Just wanted to write really quick that I have been OFF of Mirapex (and all other RLS meds) for the last 2 months and my symptoms have GREATLY improved. I have been sleeping well (and falling asleep with ease) and have only had 2 or 3 mild instances of my RLS. The only other changes I have made are deleting artificial sweeteners from my diet and adding Chromium and high doses of B-12. This all may be purely coincidental, but I felt like I should mention it......just in case it's not.

[Jaynielynne]

I hope that you keep going just the same as you are now. How much vitamin

B12 are you taking? It's pretty hard to get away from artificial sweeteners. It's

in gum, mints, almost everything labeled "diet" How much Chromium?

[Hidden in reply to Jaynielynne]

Thanks to your question Jaynielynee I found several articles that state that Metformin (in addition to increasing dopaminergic tone) will deplete the body of B12!!! It is also discussed on the pernicious anemia site. My dad takes that drug and has developed peripheral neuropathy. Time to get his b12 levels checked. You guys are the best!!!

[toolcreep]

5000 mcg of B12 and 500 mcg of chromium....and yes, you are right...I have not been eating or drinking ANYTHING labeled "diet"

[Hidden]

It most likely is not a coincidence. If you look at the postings on the pernicious anemia site for Health Unlocked it seems they have unraveled some of the mystery. Being deficient in b12 doesn't only mean you are deficient in B12, it also means that your body's stores of folate is not going to be used properly by your body or methylated as they put it. The b12 and newly available folate may then enhance the brain's ability to absorb iron, produce dopamine and put an end to your restless leg. The pernicious anemia site indicates that sometimes it is wise to also supplement with folate but that you should never supplement with folate alone, always in combination with b12, unless you know for sure you are not deficient in b12. Supplementing with folate (which is not dangerous in and of itself - they give it to pregnant women always) alone can mask a b12 deficiency and you always want to be aware of a b12 deficiency because it seems it could be life threatening if I'm reading correctly? I especially recommend reading NOSTONEUNTURNED in pernicious anemia. He cured himself of several conditions using b12, including symptoms that sound remarkably like RLS. WILEY something on pernicious anemia cured herself of what sounded like chronic fatigue with a combination of b12 and folate. It took her several months but eventually all of her symptoms subsided.

If you really want to try to understand the mechanism behind this mystery put MHTFR in the search box under pernicious anemia for a better explanation than I have given you. Please realize that many of those people also suffer from RLS or RLS like symptoms.

Thanks Toolcreep, you may have just saved someone's life.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Sorry, that's MTHFR. Just put that into the search box for the entire site.

[Hidden]

Always consult your doctor before adding any supplements, they could interact with any medications you are taking. Better to be safe than sorry.

[nightdancer]

I am getting deja vu. Yes, we have had several discussions about folate, etc and B12, and as Elisse says, always check with your doctor to make sure that these or other supplements will not interact with anything else.

[Hidden]

We have had the MTHFR discussion just recently, i think its still on here...

[nightdancer]

Well, toolcreep, that is good low normal dose of Chromium. It is an "essential trace mineral", because very small amounts are necessary for human health. Many for experts say that it is likely safe when used 6 months or less. A couple interactions here I want to bring up for general knowledge. If you have Type 2 diabetes, Chromium could interfere with your diabetes meds, causing your blood sugar to go too low. If you take it with Vitamin C, it will elevate the level of Chromium. And the other interaction that is the most important for RLSer's is that Chromium can make it hard for our bodies to use iron, and as we know, iron is an important issue in RLS. And, Chromium can interfere with your thyroid meds, especially Synthroid, so just some stuff to think about. It does many good things also, but things like the Vitamin C or the iron thing is good for some general knowledge to show that some natural things can interfere with other natural things, as well as some prescription meds. My cousin told me about the Chromium and thyroid issues. All her hair is falling out, etc, and she does lot of research, so it must run in the family,. As well as RLS runs in my family rampantly. Let us know how you get on.

[toolcreep in reply to nightdancer]

Thanks for the info...as a matter of coincidence, i didn't continue with the chromium...after reading your post, it's likely a good thing!!

[nightdancer]

What other RLS meds were you taking besides Mirapex for RLS? That is one of the meds that can quit working at any time, and certainly does not even help 50% of people with RLS.

[toolcreep in reply to nightdancer]

I also took neurontin and requip and another that i can't remember the name of right now

[toolcreep]

Update: Still taking B12 daily and doc put me on D as well because I was really low on that. Did not buy more chromium, so haven't continued with that. Still avoiding artificial sweeteners as much as possible. Began CrossFit a couple of months ago. Symptoms still only mild and occasional. Having had symptoms before that were bad enough to keep me up all night and miss work frequently, I'm beyond thankful for the relief!!! Thank you for all the information and support you all give here!!! This is a wonderful resource!!!