Not an either/or.....

[lauraflora]

I am going to explain something that perhaps I have not explained clearly up until now. The reason I keep recommending people look into non-drug methods of dealing with their RLS, (yet also mention that this does not work for everyone) is this;

Drugs are known to be a burden to the body systems (the liver especially), and many people do not tolerate the side effects. (evidenced on this site.) So, if someone uses non-drug methods and finds relief that is good. If they find that the non-drug methods help a lot, but they still need something in addition, they can perhaps take a much smaller dosage of an appropriate drug. This lessens the body burden and lessens the side effects.

So, it does not need to be an Either/Or situation. It can be a Work Together system. Just so people understand what I have been trying to say.

[Bganim1947]

Agreed, non-drug treatment is best, if it works or supplements meds. What are your recommendations for what works. I'm researching RLS, but focused on an expanded form of that extends into my entire body like a pulsating electrical charge. Once it starts, usually when I'm over tired or stressed, it can last for hours. I take 12 mgs. of Ropinerole or Requip ER (Extended Release). It works most times, but episodes are becoming more frequent. Comments and suggestions welcome.

[Pippins2 in reply to Bganim1947]

The new maximum daily dosage of Requip is 1 mg with 2mg being the absolute tops, this is from the international RLS experts eg Dr Buchfuhrer. The reason itis expanding into your entire body is due to the 12 mg of Requip causing augmentation of symptoms. Put augmentation into the search box or go to RLS. UK website for more information x

[Hidden in reply to Bganim1947]

Wow, Bganim, 12mgs Ropinerole, no wonder you are having all over body RLS. You are augmenting badly on that high dose.!! No one should be taking that dose for RLS ever. Your only way now is to wean down off that dose and right off that med. That will not be an easy thing to do. as strong pain med will be needed from your doctor like Tramadol to help with withdrawals you will go through. Lots of posts on this forum about taking high doses of a dopamine med and augmentation and how to deal with it.

[Hidden]

Bravo!!!!

[nightdancer]

RLS all through your body is happening, because you are on too high of a dose of requip. All over RLS is still RLS, it is not just in the legs. Can be in the arms, hips, shoulders, neck, anywhere. You need to research Augmentation, first, Bganim. Then, you might understand what is happening to you, it is not rare, in fact sadly it is the norm, and many doctors are not trained in the neurology/sleep disorder class of health care. In regular medical school, if they are just going to be a GP or MD with no specialty, they only get 6 hours total on sleep medicine, and there are over 200 sleep disorders, and movement disorders. They cannot possibly get enough information in 6 hrs. So, that needs to be changed.

[Hidden]

Totally agree, best to have as little drugs as possible but unfortunately that is still taking some.

[beady3]

Bet you are having probs with 12mg Requip I was on 8 mg and I had terrible augmentation my doc just stopped them and put me on another tab no weaning down I have savvied good luck

[lauraflora]

I will leave the various issues of drugs and augmentation to those of you who have experience and knowledge about such things. I do not, as I have never taken any drugs for RLS.

(Tho I did have a terrible problem once with what was called a "paradoxical reaction" where a medication I was taking started to cause the very symptoms it was supposed to be stopping. I had to get weaned off of it, which took several weeks.)

[Joolsg]

My Word bganim,

That is such a high dose of dopamine agonist. You must be climbing the walls with all over body augmentation.

I agree with everyone else above. You need to get off the requip ( slowly over months) with help of an opioid or tramadol. It is really, really hard but worth it to be free of that drug.

I wish you all the best,

Jools