Alternatives to Pramipoxele

[marigold60]

Hi I'm new to this forum

I've had RLS for some time. I felt like it was originating from the base of my spine so to cope with it at night I used to rub ibuprofen gel in at night and that seemed to work for a while. Then I felt I needed something stronger so went to the doctor who prescribed pramipoxele. It was great, only side effect was feeling really tired towards bedtime but that was great as it meant I'd get a good nights sleep. I did find after a while I needed to increase the dose but I was expecting that after reading leaflet. Thought i'd find out more info online and came across this site, now I'm worried that I'm on a slippery slope after reading peoples comments, I can't just stop now as when I ran out I was climbing the walls. I've only been taking it about 8 months and its still working okay. Any suggestions? I'm willing to try most things

[Katerina22]

Be careful when you have to increase your dose to have the same result as you had with your lower dose.Maybe its a sign of augmentation.

[marigold60 in reply to Katerina22]

Yes, after reading this forum I've decided not to take the extra tablet. I think I might try supplements to see what will help. I'm trying to eat healthier too. I do know alcohol makes it worse and I'm wondering if too much sugar does too. Trouble is doctors just want to prescribe drugs and don't necessarily give advice

[lauraflora in reply to marigold60]

I don't know anything about the drugs one takes for RLS, as I don't take any. I use various supplements - such as magnesium 400 mg (the citrate form!), calcium 1000 mg (also citrate as this is easy to digest and assimilate - with vitamin K2 to keep the calcium from settling in your arteries) and iron bisglycinate 25 mg (also easy to get into your system and non-constipating).

These things can help people with RLS, altho not everyone. Perhaps a low dose of a drug with supplements? One has to experiment a bit.

Then there is the issue of the cause of a person's RLS - whether it is type 1 (genetic) or type 2 (from a surgery or an injury or illness involving the spine - harder to treat, I think.) Mine is type 1 and not so bad, altho it has been bad if my spine or sacroiliac (tail bone) is out of place, for which I see a chiropractor.

Then, also, as far as food triggers - that is very different from one person to the next. I eat healthfully and have a large vegetable garden, but I DO drink alcohol, in the form of wine and an occassional beer - and I have never had it cause my RLs to act up.

[marigold60 in reply to lauraflora]

Thank you for all the advice. I've noted down what you've said and will have a look for the supplements. I haven't injured my spine at any time It just felt like it was the source of the RLS. It could be hereditary as my Dad seemed to suffer from the same thing, although never diagnosed. I guess it is a matter of trial and error but I feel more confident now I can sort this

[lauraflora]

It is certainly a matter of trial and error. Sometimes you think something works, for a while anyway, and then that changes. I think the best I can say is that it is a multi-faceted problem, and if something gets out of balance that you haven't thought of before, it throws you for a loop again. There is no one answer for all people, much less for one person. But there certainly are things that help; you just have to keep trying things - whether supplements, drugs or a combination. And do your homework - look into research, as there seems to be more happening.

[marigold60 in reply to lauraflora]

Well, I'm taking one less prami now even though I was previously thinking about increasing my dose. I'm trying iron and magnesium supplements. It may be helping, though I am getting my symptoms earlier in the day. Its fine so long as I can move about and do things, can't have an after lunch doze on the sofa any more, but thats probably a good thing! Its funny, I get pretty twitchy sitting on the sofa before pills in the evening but if I come and sit at the computer on a hard chair they usually go away. Going up the gym too trying to get fit, hoping that helps

[lauraflora in reply to marigold60]

Several of us have found that various stretching exercises that stretch out the spine and legs seem to be helpful.

[marigold60 in reply to lauraflora]

Yes that makes sense. I feel that would work for me too. I'll find out what works best.