Medications

[AHGB]

I don't find any medication works. I was on Gabapentin which failed. I'm now on clonazepam which is no longer working... And I'm only 25.

[Hidden]

Are those the only two meds you have tried..?

[AHGB]

At present, yes elisse

[Pippins2]

Maybe you could try a painkiller ,starting with the mildest which is Codeine or Tramadol.We very often have to swop and change meds around as we build up a tolerance.If you have a break from Clonazepam you may find it starts to work again.I take regular breaks from my med substituting if for a different one for a month or so and then it works again .

[Pippins2 in reply to Pippins2]

If you do go down the dopamine agonist route make sure it is a slow release one such as Neupro patch as it has the lowest rate of augmentation.

[Hidden]

Never fear you have a few options open to you so all is not lost.

As Pippins2 and I would add if needs be you can move up the opioid tree to stronger preparations of codeine, to the likes of Oxycontin, (in the form of Targenact licensed for treatment of RLS in the UK).

You can go down the route of a Dopamine Agonist but for Gods sake read up well about them and make sure you have some one that can observe you for side-effects. They aren't a great drug but better than nothing, (up to a point!!!).

There are also some non-prescription drugs, (well non-prescription in UK), such s Cannabis and Kratom, (google is your friend here). Although the legal ramifications of cannabis use may vastly outstrip the benefit so choose carefully there!

Do no harm to look at your diet, Iron deficiency can cause/exacerbate RLS so worth getting those levels checked regularly in my opinion and cutting out Gluten has helped some.

Plenty of tips and advice on here so ask plenty of questions.

Good luck.

[BR-OZ]

Hello there. I am 29 now and have had RLS for at least 20 years. When I was around your age was actually one of the worst times. It was every night 3 am sprinting at the street to settle my legs. I highly recommend you not to start on medicine. I really know what I am saying. Your age is VERY stressful. You need to control your stress and your diet. I'm sure the two things that trigger your RLS the most are stress(mostly from anxiety) and indigestion. I used to normally say I'm either not drinking at all or I'm trying til I pass out because if I drink enough that made me dizzy but not enough to sleep in any corner I knew my leg would keep me up. You have to work on stress and anxiety, go for walks(40 min minimum) it helps a lot. And avoid putting yourself in situations that will trigger stress or anxiety. If you have an assignment due, do it asap, leaving for the last minute will be a really bad punishment.

Food, avoid eating heavy at night. Make lunch your main meal or have an early diner. You will probably need to eat something before sleep but you may want to create a diet diary and look for patterns of what you eat and what time you did and then Mark if that night you had any symptoms.