Another hard night

[Ballybofey26]

Hard night after sort of reprieve of 5 days. Up four times with the restlessness. Fell asleep last time watching CNN for an hour. Gotta get up for work now. Not easy.

[Hidden]

Hi are you on any meds for rls? X

[Ballybofey26 in reply to Hidden]

Hi p1 pp1ns, no meds unless you include magnesium supplements which i started taking 20 days ago and quinine sulphate tablets which i started taking a week ago. I cant take strong meds. Im a sober alcoholic and cant touch the strong meds as i dont follow instructions! So i shall perservere with the current treatment as i did get some reprieve for 5 days. First time i slept through the night in what feels like over 6 months! Ive a couple of other conditions too, HHT and HHC! So this may be impacting RLS.

[Hidden in reply to Ballybofey26]

Hi be careful with quinine there have been problems with it causing heart problems and it is now banned in America , only used for malaria! As RLS is neurological and cramp is muscular quinine dosnt normally improve RLS so I wondeted is it cramp you have.? Well done on being sober not an easy thing to do I watchedca close friend try and fail.Give yourself a big pat on the back! X

[Ballybofey26]

Thanks for the headsup on quinine. Didnt know! Will investigate further

[Hidden]

No problem .Sometimes just have to way up the benefits and risks.Hope you have a good night x

[RupertMac]

Hi Ballybofey, hope you are managing to get some respite. I'm a recovering alcoholic/drug abuser (8 years' sobriety) so face similar problems. I went for about 10 years untreated, but the RLS became so frequent and persistent in the last year that I had to do something about it. They put me on quinine first, but I found out from the internet that it was inappropriate for RLS (as noted above) and it made little difference in any event. About two weeks ago I was prescribed ropinirole - so far so good, no RLS. But I did have periods of 2 or 3 weeks without symptoms previously, so I'm not 100% convinced yet. Although it's a dopamine agonist I haven't experienced any psychoactive effects or anything which I feel might lead me into abusing the pills! Obviously I can't comment on your circumstances, but just thought it was worth mentioning as you may want to have a conversation with your doctor about it. Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to RupertMac]

Well done Rupert on recovering from your addictions so hard to do I admire anyone who manages to do it. Hope your success with ropinerole continues x

[RupertMac in reply to Hidden]

Thanks! All still looking good nearly 2 weeks in.....

[Ballybofey26]

Hi rupert lovely to hear from you. Am dashing out to work! Got another reprieve last night. Will send you a message later today, after work! take care!

[Ballybofey26]

Having coffee before I get started at work. So excited I could sit still and take the minutes at a local community event last night. I'm the secretary. Secretary just can't get up in middle of meeting and walk around! This sec can't! So that felt real good. Evening classes start next month. It's a nightmare for someone with RLS. No cramps p1p11ns! Pure irresistible urges to move! Going on for 10 years off and on. But earlier days it was due to internal bleeding and chronic anaemia. This past year chronic RLS. Not due to bleeding nor anaemia. Iron levels good. Ferritin good. So I will research quinine and the one rupert mentioned. the Gap which is often mentioned on this website is not sold in Belgium. My doc would not write a prescription . Moving at work is important too. Right now I'm at a standing area on my iPad.minwill tryntomdomthisnseveralmtimes a day to get away from the desk. rupert,congrats on 8 years. im 25 years sober and lovin it, despite RLS!

[RupertMac]

Glad you managed to sit still for a while! It usually only hits me when I go to bed but I do move my legs around a lot anyway (and always have). In the middle of a long business trip right now with several overnight flights which are usually killers, but amazingly no problems yet. I do think the pills may be working. The quinine was no good - only treats cramp and that's most definitely not what this is - just an overwhelming need to move my leg (and arm sometimes). 25 years! That is something I aspire to, I'm not going back. Good for you.

[Ballybofey26]

You are probably right about the quinine. 2 bad nights out of seven though, this is heaven! I'm scared to stop taking the quinine! This is a busy week with meetings , travel, no exercise, late business dinners, etc. not really looking forward to it, as the RLS will heve a field day! roll on Saturday!