Clonazepam

[shebobs]

Been to see a neurologist after trying pregablin and gabapentin with no success..in fact both exaggerated the symptoms.

He has prescribed clonazepam.. After a week there is still no change or sleep.. Any suggestions welcome

[Joolsg]

Have you tried any meds other than Gabapentin and pregabalin? What other meds are you on , including OTC meds like Benadryl, cough medications?

Have you had blood tests to establish your iron and ferritin levels?

Clonazepam can work for some but if it’s not helping you may have to ask your GP to consider opioids. However, sort out blood tests first - you may find you benefit from raising ferritin levels.

[shebobs in reply to Joolsg]

Had every blood test going and they came back normal

[Madlegs1 in reply to shebobs]

Normal is not good enough- ferritin should be at least 100.

[Debbs73 in reply to Madlegs1]

Hiya Madlegs 1. I've just had my ferratin level checked again last Thursday as ive to have them done regularly as I've got hematomacrosis, and got results today. My level then was 49,. My consultant has said as long as it doesn't go much lower that then I'll be ok. I guess were all different and I guess that has a lot to do with our issues.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Debbs73]

If you're HH ,then it may not apply. T Sat% is the most important figure for you.

Good luck.

[Graham3196 in reply to Debbs73]

I dont think thats right. It disagrees with the words of the current crop of experts in RLS. If you have RLS you should raise your ferritin to about 350 and wait a few weeks (12 weeks in my case) to see if your RLS goes away or is at least reduced. Get approval by some competent GP to make sure you dont have some other condition that might be adversely affected by raising your ferritin.

[Debbs73 in reply to Graham3196]

Hi. Yeah I also have RLS. When I was first diagnosed with hematomacrosis my ferratin levels were 1200 and above, but after numerous v sections my level at last check least week was 49, which my consultant and nurses have said is ok, and they are happy with it staying around the 50 mark.

[Graham3196 in reply to Debbs73]

Its worth asking what they consider is the maximum that is safe for you. It might be that they just don't understand that RLS is a fairly serious condition and it might be that 200 is absolutely as safe as 50. They might have to do a bit of research

[Joolsg in reply to shebobs]

I agree with Madlegs . Normal for people without RLS is 15. For us it has to be above 100. Ask for the actual number.

[Hidden]

You need to give the Clonazepam another week or so, to see it it will work. It isn't particularly good in any event. It can help sleep but doesn't really do anything to RLS symptoms, so no good on its own.

Unfortunately, the a2d ligands Gabapentin and Pregabalin don:t work for everyone either.

Not knowing your history, if you've not already been prescribed, the other first line medication traditionally prescribed for RLS is a dopamine agonist. It's easy to get a prescription.

Dopamine agonists are usually very effective immediately for RLS. They can cause major problems later however so it's inadvisable to start on a dopamine agonist without first finding out about them.

Intractable RLS, i.e. RLS for which other medications have failed, usually require an opioid. Not so easy to get prescribed.

[kirash]

I have taken Clonazepam for anxiety and it was ok but I was aware it is very addictive so I limited its use . I have found codeine to work but again . Class b drug and addictive so i use it sparingly.

[Ramrod]

If u have restless legs (no pain) talk to your Dr about ropinirole!

[shebobs]

My ferratin levels are above 100 rophinrol is next step and I've tried a dopamine but can't remember what it was called.. Ive tried so much I've lost count. Anyone recommend a good time to take clonazepam as the hour before bed clearly doesent work

[Hidden in reply to shebobs]

If you're considering Ropinirole, then you need to read up on the possible consequences of taking a dopamine agonist, (DA). The two main problems are augmentation and impulse control disorder (ISD). Augmentation is more common than ISD.

You may find this link useful.

rls-uk.org/augmentation-reb...

Augmentation means that after a while, which may be weeks, months or years, the DA starts to stop working and may even start to make RLS worse if the dose is increased. Ropinirole, I believe is the DA least likely to cause augmentation.

To avoid augmentation it's best to stay on as low a dose as possible for as long as possible. If it starts to fail at any time, the logical thing to do is increase the dose, BUT counterintuitively it is the wrong thing to do, it will make the RLS worse.

You will read on here from many members who have suffered augmentation and have had to stop taking any DA.

However, forewarned is forearmed and you may get many years relief from your RLS using Ropinirole and may possibly never get augmentation. So I wouldn't want to put you off trying it.

I do suggest you keep a note of what drugs you have been prescribed, their correct spelling and the exact dose. This can be quite important. You also need to carefully read any leaflets that come along with your prescription especially about side effects and interactions with any other drugs you might be taking.

You might like to try taking the the Clonazepam 2 hours before bedtime, it does take up to 2 hours to achieve maximum effect. If it's the RLS symptoms that are preventing you getting to sleep, then really, it's not going to work.

I have taken it a few times, it's not ideal to take it for more than 4 weeks. After that you will likely become dependent on it and this could lead to addiction.

[Anne_liz]

I was interested to hear that gabapentin made your rls worse. I found the same thing. I was taking a low dose of codeine at the same time and the gabapentin comlpetely stopped codeine having any effect when I took them together at night.

[Shumbah]

Smoking bush marijuana definitely works

Disgusting I know

[nopeno1home]

Loving Lyrica,knock on wood,got tired of taking a hand full of meds 4 times a day living by the doses wearing off. I know that not every med works for everyone but it's worth a try. Btw that handful is now 2pills 2x a day.

[Sara_2611]

Hi

Ive never used that medication so I wouldnt know the answer to that my apologies. Hope you find the answer you are searching for