Augmentation

[Junebrad]

This is my first post, I was very pleased to find this web site I have had restless legs all my life. Until I found this RLS I thought it was just me who has this problem. My doctor dose not understand this problem but to be fair they have always given me help. Doctor put me on ropinirole about two years ago along with slow release dihydrocode. All been fine till two nights ago I have never been as bad as I am now and the pain has been non stop only had two hours sleep last night. Is this Augmentation and whats the best way to deal with it. Any help I can get would be wonderful. June

[tonyfinch]

I have been on ropinirole for a few years and thy have helped though still not perfect. I was also on amitryptaline for a while and then got worse until I stopped them. I always have bad times if I am inactive for long periods or spend long in a particularly warm place. Try too avoid too much alcohol if applicable. Good luck. I hope your condition improves soon.

[Junebrad in reply to tonyfinch]

Thanks for your reply . I do not drink so that's not a problem. I am also on amitryptaline line. And take Dihydrocodeine slow release been on them a few years. What I wanted to know was how do you know if you have augmentation as the last two nights have been the worse in my life I was in pain all night nothing would help, I only got 2 hours sleep all night. I wondered if some one would explain augmentation and could I have it.

[tonyfinch in reply to Junebrad]

Unfortunately its not easy to know if its augmentation and you can only try leaving something off for a week or two and see if it helps. Its not the same for everyone. If you are having longlasting painfull spasms or cramps I would recommend you leaving out amitryptaline and ask your doc to prescribe diazepam for occasional bedtime use when you really need them. They are the only thing that calm me down when I am in real trouble. Hope this helps.

[Smiffyliz in reply to tonyfinch]

That is so interesting how things affect people differently. Diazepam makes me really anxious and completely wakeful. I had it in hospital once and I was awake all day and night. Complete opposite of what supposed to do

[alphalogan]

I gave up on Ropinirole 3 years ago and now take Ginkgo Biloba 6,000mg high strength (on line Healthspan) and magnesium 375mg once a day, not a cure but certainly helps.

[Junebrad]

Thanks for your reply . I do not drink so that's not a problem. I am also on amitryptaline line. And take Dihydrocodeine slow release been on them a few years. What I wanted to know was how do you know if you have augmentation as the last two nights have been the worse in my life I was in pain all night nothing would help, I only got 2 hours sleep all night. I wondered if some one would explain augmentation and could I have it.

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Junebrad]

You may find this link helpful regarding augmentation: rls-uk.org/news/augmentation

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Junebrad]

Amitriptyline is one of the medications that many RLS sufferers avoid because it aggravates the symptoms. There are very few RLS sufferers that can tolerate this drug.

It is listed as a medication to avoid here: rls-uk.org/treatment/ Scroll down to Medications to Avoid

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome!

I am so sorry you’re having trouble. Have you tried rubbing magnesium oil on where it hurts? It does wonders for my pain!

Take care and I hope things improve soon!

[Neil46]

Hi June, as Kaarina has posted amitryptyline is bad for many sufferers and can worsen symptoms. If you have been on Ropinirole for a couple of years I would suspect augmentation, together with the amitriptyline interference. Have you previously got on OK with the two? Perhaps the dihydrocodeine masks the effects?

When you have looked at the augmentation info have a look at some posts here about withdrawal. You will get advice and support here to help you I am sure.

Best Wishes

Neil

[Pippins2]

If you click on my name it will take you to my profile. Look on my posts and scroll down. I did one on with augmentation as it's not title. Sorry can't do links to it am technophobe. What dose of Ropinerole are you on? Have you ever had to increase it? Important question when considering augmentation x

[Junebrad in reply to Pippins2]

Thanks for your help. I have increased the ropinerole I take a 1mg at 7pm and I take a 2mg before bed about 10 -30.

I realized I'm taking a rather large dose when I have looked on here. So I really need to go and have a word with my doctor as to where I go from here. Also I'm glad some one else described this awful thing as PAIN because that's what it is pain. I used to feel a fraud. Until I found this site and realized I'm not on my own.

[Neil46]

You are definately not on your own, we have all been on the same journey, some for decades. Keep posting, keep us up to date and we will be here for you.

[involuntarydancer]

It sounds like you may be augmented. If so you are in for a bumpy ride. It is well worth asking your gp to check your serum ferritin levels. There is a strong link between iron levels and RLS and latest thinking is that rls sufferers should have levels in excess of 100. Make sure you get an actual figure for your serum ferritin levels - they very often merely tell you it’s ‘normal’. Normal for normal people can be quite low but for rls-ers it is very different. Low serum ferritin levels are associated to a certain extent with augmentation.

Kaarina is correct that many sufferers find amyltriptiline can exacerbate symptoms.

Best of luck

[johnmarg]

Try gabapentin.no augmentation

[Junebrad in reply to johnmarg]

Is this a pain killer ? as I already take dihydrocodeine which is a slow release pain killer. wouldnt like to over do it . I am going to see my doctor this week , and see what he advises me to do. But thanks for your help. I will make a note of the name.

[marsha2306 in reply to Junebrad]

Gabapentin is not a pain killer. It’s used for many things, including neuropathy and epilepsy. I take it for my RLS.

[Junebrad]

Thank you for your reply. I have made an appointment to see the doctor next week as I think I need a review of my medication. Would welcome any suggestions for names of medication I could ask the doctor about. I have had this dreadful restless legs for a very long time at the moment I take dihydrocodeine slow release 1 morning 1 night also ropinrole 1mg at 7pm and 2mg at 10pm and amitripline before bed this is for the restless legs, but I have other problems I take medication for. I am 80 years old, Any suggestions would be most welcome.

[Hopeless100]

AHA, yes that can happen. so perhaps switch to another for a while, then back again ??