Hello, I am new here. I am fighting RLS also. Requip is working ok after about 30 minutes but i have to take it all day long. What kind if doctor is best for this? Neurologist? My G P seems very uncertain. Also CBD has not helped but does cannabis really help? I hate the disoriented feel. Any suggestuons helpful. Thanks
Rescuemom
Hello, I'm not quite sure what you mean by taking Requip all day !ong. How many times are you taking it each day and what dose?
This is worrying, it doesn't sound right. I wonder who says you have RLS?
Self diagnosed, .25mg during the day and .50 to 1.0 at night. Doesn't always give relief. I am up most of the night sleeping an hour at a time.
In this case I would make a few suggestions which you could consider.
Firstly, it would be a good idea to get your diagnosis confirmed by a doctor. They could also do some tests to see, if you do have RLS, if there is some underlying cause.
It seems that the Requip isn't working. This may be because you're not taking enough, or it may be because, as happens with dopamine agonists, (DAs), they can stop working.
You are not taking the maximum dose of Requip, however It isn't advisable to increase the dose as this may lead to another complication, i.e. augmentation.
You also seem to be taking a variable dose. There is a significant difference between 1.0 mg and 0.5mg. Particularly, reducing from 1mg to 0.5 could cause withdrawal effects, i.e. a worsening of the symptoms. It's better to take the same dose ever day.
I assume someone qualified prescribed the Requip, it isn't available over the counter. If this is the case it is irresponsible of them to do this without confirming the diagnosis and advising you about the drug , its consequences and how to take it.
I hope you haven't self prescribed this drug and obtained it illegally. Really not a good idea.
With the sleep problem you're having, it sounds as Requip might not be the most suitable drug for you.
You are quite right to seek proper medical advice. If a GP is uncertain about the diagnosis and best treatment then they can refer you to a neurologist.
You may also want to check for yourself if you really do have RLS. Here is a link to the valid diagnostic criteria for RLS. You must meet ALL 5 criteria. If you self diagnosed you haven't really met the fifth one.
irlssg.org/diagnostic-crite...
Good luck and please take care.
Thank you. I have been diagnosed by my GP and he gave me the Requip. He just doesn't want me to take it as often as i have had to. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. He doesn't seen to know what else to try. I will ask for a referral to a neurologist. I am also seeing a nutritional doctor on the outside. I'm desperate for relief. Valerian is helping at night but very short lived.
Hello again.
Seeing a neurologist is your best bet.
My other suggestions are still valid.
Since you've not actually been diagnosed as having RLS by someone that's qualified and able to make that diagnosis then there's no certainty that you even have RLS in which case the Requip wouldn't work.
If you do have RLS, Requip is not the only or even "best" solution.
It appears as if your doctor is of little help, no insult mean't but this appears to be the blind leading the blind. It's a mistake to underestimate the consequences of taking drugs such as Requip.
A neurologist who is able to correctly diagnose RLS will be aware of the 5 criteria. How do your symptoms match the 5?
If they do NOT match ALL 5 then the RLS diagnosis is questionable.
The criteria have been condensed into a single question which is
"When you try to relax in the evening, or sleep at night, do you often have unpleasant, restless feelings in your legs, that can be relieved by walking or movement?"
If your answer is YES, but to all aspects of the question, i.e. NOT all day. Then you may have RLS. You still need that to be confirmed however. There is a lot of confusion about the symptoms and it would be awful you have in fact, some other neurological condition which is not being addressed.
Valerian if of some general use for insomnia, and may help with RLS. So no harm in taking that.
I was referred to a sleep specialist and he really knew what he was talking about
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