RLS relief at last!!: My 65 year old... - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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RLS relief at last!!

gmajanrn profile image
26 Replies

My 65 year old husband of 44 years, has had the worst case of RLS imaginable. It has disrupted his sleep, certainly, but mine as well! Various treatments and medications have been tried over the years, but nothing had much of an impact. He had developed neuropathy in upper extremities, so our PA decided to treat it with Lyrica. After a couple of weeks on it, I noticed he wasn't kicking all night. It has helped the neuropathy for which it was prescribed, but the RLS symptoms have vanished. It has been several months now and no RLS! Anyone else had this experience?

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26 Replies
Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1

Great news. Lyrica is one of the meds used for rls, successfully for many, but not for some, due to side effects . It is also quite expensive, so can depend very much on funding/ insurance.

It can be quite difficult to get off, if that is ever required.

Delighted for both of you.

Debbie_ profile image
Debbie_ in reply toMadlegs1

Hard to get off? Why? What happens?

nickelrenee1 profile image
nickelrenee1 in reply toDebbie_

Augmentation. Basically you begin to need more and more of it for symptom relief. Then, you go into augmentation, with a return of symptoms only way worse then you started with. It is more common in Requip (Ropinerole) and Mirapex from what I've read. Lyrica is less common. I know others who had had major side effects with Lyrica which doesn't seem to be the case for your husband so he is one lucky fella!

If you google Lyrica and Augmentation, you'll get several hits that explain what it means and the chances of it happening with other meds :)

Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1 in reply tonickelrenee1

Augmentation is not a major issue with Pregabalin. One study,mentioned here a year ago, found only 2% augmented on Pregabalin. That is almost negligible compared with DAs.

My point was withdrawal symptoms, that some people experience after being on Pregabalin for a long time. And trying to get off it.

nickelrenee1 profile image
nickelrenee1 in reply toMadlegs1

Well that is certainly helpful for me in my pursuit so thank you! I've heard that people.with addiction or depression history have to be careful with Lyrica?

Debbie_ profile image
Debbie_ in reply tonickelrenee1

Thanks

That’s great news!!

Pam34 profile image
Pam34

I take 150mg of Pregabalin (Lyrica) and have virtually no issues with RLS. Been on it a couple of months and refuse to look too far ahead!

Pippins2 profile image
Pippins2 in reply toPam34

Good to know you are doing well Pam x

Pam34 profile image
Pam34 in reply toPippins2

Yes thanks. I’ll take it for now, not a good idea to look too far ahead with RLS as we all know! X

Pippins2 profile image
Pippins2

Great news .Wish Pregablin worked for me as i need to take it for nerve pain and i could then use one med to treat both conditions .Sadly it doesnt make a jot of difference to my RLS .Glad it helps others though .X

Smiler53 profile image
Smiler53

Always good to hear when someone gets some relief from this awful condition. Wishing you both all the best and long may it continue. X

Krytes profile image
Krytes

That's great news 👍🏻 .. I found cbd oil works for me . And never slept better which means my partner gets a good night sleep to ... and of course alot of it is expense and not givin on NHS

nickelrenee1 profile image
nickelrenee1 in reply toKrytes

I just started the CBD oil! Trying to find a doctor to help me with using it to taper from Ropinerole. My symptoms definitely are delayed a few hours with the oil. But I have to take it several hours before the script because they metabolize on the same chain. How much to you take?

Krytes profile image
Krytes in reply tonickelrenee1

I take 2 drops morning 2 at night just before i go sleep .. 10 % drops

Debbie_ profile image
Debbie_

CBD oil? Where do you get it from?

Mona23 profile image
Mona23 in reply toDebbie_

Debbie, in states where it’s legal you get it from a dispensary. If it’s not legal where you are, that shows the problem with those of us who benefit from CBD/THC - you can’t buy/ship it everywhere. I haven’t tried the hemp based CBD oil (no THC) because I can get the marijuana based CBD/THC legally where I live, and most of what I read says THC is needed for the depth of relaxation that helps with RLS-related insomnia. If anyone has experience with the hemp-based CBD, please chime in.

Welshone profile image
Welshone in reply toMona23

Hi Debbie just read your answer about being on CBD with thc? You don't need the THC for relief from your RR I've only been on CBD just under 2 weeks with no THC only CBD oil its vile to take, my sleep is so much better since taking it, is legal to buy in the UK as long as no THC in it, I started on the green one, but I'm onto the blue one, for me personally is a no brainer, I went into it as I have MS and need to try to alleviate some of my symptoms, which it has done big bonus is the fact it helps to alleviate some of the RR symptoms, including my sleep is brilliant. 😀

nickelrenee1 profile image
nickelrenee1 in reply toDebbie_

I bought it online through Flower Child. They're baswd out of Colorado.

Mona23 profile image
Mona23 in reply tonickelrenee1

nickelrenee1, if you bought it online from CO, either it has no THC or they shipped it to you illegally, which could get you in trouble. In CO it’s NOT legal to ship marijuana products unless they have less than .3%THC - which is essentially an ineffective amount (I live in CO).

nickelrenee1 profile image
nickelrenee1 in reply toMona23

I know without a shadow of a doubt it was legal. I wouldn't have done it otherwise. It has less than .3%. I was simply saying that you have to be careful where you get it from because CBD and hemp oil are not necessarily the same thing. So you could get hemp, thinking it's CBD, have it not work and think that CBD is not for you. There is a link between thc and dopamine. But if I had to go that route, I would see a specialist and get a medical card. I don't do anything if it's not legal.

Mona23 profile image
Mona23 in reply tonickelrenee1

I’m glad you knew what you were getting. I apologize if I sounded offensive - I just was concerned for you because many people don’t know the laws, and some shops ship when they shouldn’t. Many people have no luck with the CBD without THC, a few get relief at least for awhile. I hope it continues to work well for you. All best.

nickelrenee1 profile image
nickelrenee1 in reply toMona23

Nope! All is well. Trust me. I don't mess around with the law LOL.

Lolly53 profile image
Lolly53

Hemp based CBD without the THC worked wonderfully for me initially and for a couple of months. It is good for pain. But alas it stopped being effective for my RLS. I wish that where I live it could bevlegal to purchase the CBD with THC. I know that would be more effective . I agree with Mona23.

I have been on Lyrica for several years now. It is wonderful for pain and daytime/evening RLS symptoms. But it does not help with my middle of the night RLS. Still looking for a miracle!

Debbie_ profile image
Debbie_

Thanks all. I've ordered some of Amazon. Fingers crossed.

Yes, I started Lyrica 6 months ago and I can now have a life! I take 25 mg. Every night and it has been a life saver. Not sure why my GP never suggested it as I have used both Requip and Pramipexol and they weren't working for me anymore. Glad your husband has found relief!

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