Hello. I'm new here. I can't remember when my RLS started, at least 30 years. I didn't seek medical help until about 10 years ago. I saw a neurologist who prescribed Pramipexole and I've been taking it ever since. It worked in that I am able to sleep at night. I rarely have that horrible crawling sensation. The main symptom I get, when I get any is twitching and again, rarely, painful muscle spasms. I can't remember exactly when it started, but the twitching spread to my legs and shoulders. When the twitching starts, it usually starts in my shoulders. I didn't do anything about this, I find it an annoyance rather than a problem. A short while ago I started on Gabapentin for neuropathic pain by my GP. My GP isn't particularly knowledgeable it seems, about RLS. I've found that I have had practically no twitching at all since then.
It seems that Pramipexole works for me but leads to the augmentation I've experienced. I've read there's less chance of this with Gabapentin but I've read of it's side effects, some of which I've already experienced. Some of which, possibly yet to come, I already have to be careful of my Blood Pressure and i'm already overweight.
I've also read that Tramadol is another drug that could be used, but a) The pain I have is neuropathic not due to RLS and b) Tramadol has its own side effects.
My question is what's best, take one of these, or take a combination of any 2 or all 3 to minimise side effects OR are there other newer alternatives I've not yet heard about. Are they any nearer finding out what causes RLS?