Pros and cons of Sinemet for RLS

[Krugaduga]

I live in Spain and my doctor speaks very little English so I use an interpreter. I have been a victim of RLS for 50 years !! During coronavirus lockdown I notified my doctor I was experiencing daily RLS, and have now been prescribed Sinemet with no instructions. I try to avoid taking medication until I am desperate but having very little sleep for a week and feeling I might go crazy with this horrible feeling I get at the base of my spine, I will succumb! Does Sinemet work?

[LotteM]

Don't start taking the Sinemet. To get it prescribed for RLS is very outdated. The reason is that the Sinemet had a very high likelihood of worsening RLS symptoms after some time.

I don't have much time now, but research / google dr Garcia-Borreguero. He is in Spain and both an active physician and an RLS researcher who has published lots of scientific papers on RLS. His English should be good. Try to locate him and phone the hospital he is at.

Also, read and get yourself informed thoroughly. Here at HU is a good start. As well as rls-uk.org and rls.org.

[Hidden]

Hello

PRO - Sinemet is very fast acting and very short acting. If you only get RLS symptoms now and again and you don't know they're going to happen until they happen, then sinemet can work quickly and will wear off quickly.

CONS - as Lotte says, sinemet contains a drug called L Dopa which increase the levels of the neurotransmitter, dopamine, in the brain. This is why it works.

However, RLS isn't actually caused by a lack of dopamine, so sinemet doesn't deal with the problem.

Mainly, because of this, of all the medicines that could possibly be used for RLS, anything with L Dopa in it can very quickly become ineffective and worse yet, can actually start to make symptoms worse. As Lottel says.

If you get symptoms regularly and hence need to take medicine regularly. sinemet is the worst option.

ALTERNATIVELY

"Dopamine agonists" have been more usually pprescribed for RLS. However these have also recently lost favour, beasue they too, can lead to the same issue that occurs with L Dopa.

I would therefore agree with Lotte, do not consider starting L Dopa (sinemet) or any dopamine agonist and that you look up Dr Garcia-Borreguero.

[Joolsg]

Agree with Lotte and Manerva.

[connie50]

NO IS THE ANSWER.I HAVE TRIED PRACTILY EVERYTHING GOING IN FACT WITH ALL THE STUFF I HAVE TRIED I COULD OEN A SHOP. I AM SORRY TO TELL YOU THERE IS NOTHING AT ALL,YOU JUST HAVE TO PUT UP WITH IT,

[Heatherlss]

Hi Krugaduga,

Do as LotteM says and search for Dr Diego-Garcia. He puts up in Madrid and is a world renowned RLS specialist and in addition, is a wonderful human being. He'll treat you in the best possible way.