Hi I am Fred Brown

[fjbrown]

I am 77 years old and I have been suffering from RLS for over 40 years My GP said there was no medical help he could give, and I would have to put up with the discomfort

My mother suffered the same as I am. Is RLS heriditary

[Kaarina Administrator]

In most cases, the cause of RLS is unknown (called primary RLS). However, RLS has a genetic component and can be found in families where the onset of symptoms is before age 40.

There is medical help that doctors can give so it might be a good idea to change your doctor although many do not know much about RLS but some are willing to learn from their patients. Have you visited the RLS-UK website? rls-uk.org There is a section for medical professionals rls-uk.org/professional-res... that you doctor may like to look through.

If you have not had your ferritin levels checked this may be a good idea as RLS is frequently associated with iron deficiency.

[Madlegs1]

Oh Fred-- I despair at the utter incompetent ignorance of some in the medical profession.

What your doctor has told you amounts to medical misfeasance. If he just took 5 minutes to Google " rls medications" he would learn all he would need to know.

Follow Kaarinas' great advice and while you're at it check out this site for the full range of rls medications.

rlshelp.org

Mirapex would be the first line of med at a dose of .088. Dont go beyond 2 of those pills per day. It is a Parkinsons medication , but at a tiny dose and won't give you the crazy side effects often touted for it.

Educate yourself thourally on the subject. Read back the last few weeks of this forum.

You are not alone.

And - change that ignoramus of nondoctor.

Cheers.

[Legsbohn]

I am 74 and have had RLS for 20+ years. Three years ago I started taking Tramadol (prescription) and my RLS is 90% gone. A couple times a month I have to walk around the house for an hour before I can relax in bed but otherwise all’s good.

[mrwea]

Is this because you have used up many pharmaceutical options, or because you GP does not know about treatments for RLS? Either way, RUN, DO NOT WALK, to a new practitioner. You need a neurologist, preferable one who specializes in movement disorders.