Magnesium revelation...

[OldHollow]

Writing on boards like this is very much not my style, but this needs telling: I've had RLS in the evenings since about 2011 and rely on ropinirole not to lose hours of sleep every night. I started on 0.25mg and moved my dose around to 1mg which gave me a reasonable compromise between symptoms and side effects, but it made me very sleepy most nights, and occasionally dizzy and nauseous. My wife read an article which suggested Magnesium supplements and I decided to humour her and try it. So glad I did. Unlike others, I have not been able to come off the ropinirole completely, but am now able to switch between 0.5 and 1mg (according to how bad I think it's going to be) withoutu symptoms. However, much more life-changingly, the Mg has COMPLETELY REMOVED THE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE ROPINIROLE. Don't as my why or how, but causal link between taking it and the dramatic change is indisputable for me. I'm a science teacher, so not too inclined to jumping to conclusions. It may not sound much, but it's massive for me, so I hope others can be helped too. I know not all RLS is equal, but it's worth a try. I take 250mg Mg every evening.

[Hidden]

I am glad this works for you, make sure and be extra nice to the Mrs.

[camillen]

What type of magnesium ate you taking?

[OldHollow in reply to camillen]

Just 250mg pills from Holland and Barrett. Quite expensive, but you get a lot. One a day, took about three days to kick in.

[funnyfennel]

I have just started on Magnesium and do think that it made me sleep in a more relaxed way and wake up fresher...am still on Pramipexole, but would love to reduce the dose.

[Hidden in reply to funnyfennel]

Congrats Funnyfennel.  Welcome to the "Magnesium is so worth taking Club."  Did you ever try the iron bis-glycinate?  I remember you mentioning that you were severely anemic as a child.  If you have primary RLS then your brain is probably still anemic.

[kirkdale in reply to Hidden]

I have been taking magnesium to stop cramps and it does work though as you say it takes a while to kick in (took over a fortnight for me , However I had not thought it would help with the restless legs but will change taking my magnesium dose from morning to the evening and see if I have any improvement. I have just gone on ropinerole and had to take 2 tablets last night (!ST DOSE) I have been in bed all day with nausea but as it's only the first dose don't know if it's the tablets or because I have a cold. I can't cope with nausea all day so even though I am pacing the floor with rls I won't be taking the tablets if this is what's caused the nausea.

[OldHollow]

What Ropinirole dose are you on? You're almost certainly right in suggesting that it is the cause of the nausea. What I've found over the years is that timing is key: for me I take the Mg and ropinirole together about an hour (or just over) before sleep.