Insomnia

[Hoochybaby]

My rls is at the moment under control with a combination of pramipexole and Gabapentin at night however my insomnia in now so extreme that I don't sleep at all unless I take zopiclone 7mg at night when I get desperate for some sleep it's far from satisfactory but I'm at my wits end reluctant to go to my gp as he may try to fiddle about with the dosage of the pramipexole and Gabapentin again and I'll be back at square one with the rls symptoms. I would like to try natural remedies but lavender and herbal teas etc have had little results Help

[Hidden]

Oh shoot, it’s always something isn’t it?! I’m sorry; that must be so stressful!

Have you heard of Dr. Hauschka’s Moor Lavender Calming Body Oil? I mainly use this to calm my mental nerves (which it does an awesome job at doing, btw!!). I’ve also noticed that it works well as a sleep aid. This can be gotten at health food stores and on Amazon.

[dbar126]

Good morning Hoochybaby I've suffered from insomnia my whole life. You could always try melatonin which is a natural rememedy, it didn't work for me but really helps alot of people. Be careful of using benadryl (diphenhadramine) as it can help with sleep but reaks havoc on RLS (I learned the hard way). The thing I try is doxyalamine succinate- I get the over the counter brand from amazon and it has helped me. Good luck to you!!

[Hoochybaby in reply to dbar126]

Thank you for your reply. Is melatonin which I have heard of in a tablet for form? I have a gp appointment today so I will have to see if that is any help

[dbar126 in reply to Hoochybaby]

Yes, it comes in several different doses. My son takes the 7mg (he's 16) and it works for him. I don't believe it interferes with RLS but can't be sure. I hope you find some comfort soon!

[Hidden]

Insomnia is the hell of RLS. It's one of the features of RLS in itself, associated with an excess of glutamate (a neurotransmitter) in the brain.

It's also one of the consequences of taking dopamine agonists.

I understand what you say about going to the doctor and messing around with your medications. You could end up with the RLS symptoms again.

To some extent, it's swings and roundabouts, usually a compromise, i.e. some RLS and some insomnia not RLS with no insomnia or no RLS but insomnia.

There are however non medical things that can be done to deal with insomnia (though not necessarily entirely eradicate it)

Sorry no time to expand on that at the moment.

[Jumpey]

Deep commiserations.You could read The Mood Cure by Julia Ross. She talks about sleep and stress as well as mood/anxiety/depression etc. Recommends protein supplements (e.g. 5htp)and lifestyle changes .x

[Joolsg]

How is the withdrawal going? withdrawal from pramipexole causes severe insomnia and severe RLS symptoms. The gabapentin usually helps sleep but not if you are withdrawing from pramipexole.

I didn't get any sleep for about 2 weeks during the worst of the withdrawal, but once off the dopamine agonists, my sleep patterns settled after a few months.

[Hoochybaby]

Good afternoon all. I saw my G.P. This morning and he came to the conclusion that it was the Gabapentin that was causing the severe insomnia. I must admit it did seem to coincide with me taking the drug in the first place. Rather than stop taking it he suggested that I adopt a gradual reduction over a matter of weeks and to see how I progress.

I can only hope he's correct and that I can at last get some peace! I did get another prescription for Zopiclone so maybe just maybe there is some light at the end of the tunnel?

[Arsenal4ever]

I was also given gabapentin with parmipexole but the combination seem to make it a lot worse so I told the doctor that the only way I can get some sort of control was to up the anti on the primipexole and not I take three or four tablets a night and does work to a certain extent

[SLMCP]

I take Codeine and Magnesium Citrate alongside the Pramipexole, have never had Gabapentin. Good luck x

[Hidden]

FORGET neutrals.

What doses are you on & when do you take them?

Pramipexol sedates. If you need more use diazepam.