OUTSIDE OPINIONS ON RLS

[Milleyrl]

So I'm 49 n found out this year I have SEVERE RLS,N I found out the severity of the condition when the pandemic hit n I stopped going to gym,since then I've seen a DR for it n at the same time I found red vein kratom that do wonders for it,no symptoms at all,n without it my nites are living hell,the DR start putting me on gabapentin (100mgs to start n it did nothing so went back on kratom immediately n back to no symptoms so he upped to 300mgs n added mirtazapine n no relief so back on kratom,is there any hope in medications m gym which I'm starting back in a week ,my insurance covers meds n the gym is cheap but the price of kratom is I guess priceless rite now but it does cost alot more

[Jumpey]

I'm sorry you are struggling but glad that Kratom works for you. And it appears so does exercise help.

I'm wondering if anything else has changed to trigger your RLS. Are you taking any other meds that may be making it worse? Such as a antihistamine or a nti- depressants. Or has your diet changed?

Also it would be a great idea to get your ferritin levels checked. If they are less than 100 you could take iron byglicinate .This improves symptoms for many people.

Lastly I believe that the optimum dose of gabapentin is 900mg for RLS, below this a d it doesn't work.

Really good luck and I hope you symptoms improve soon.x

[LotteM in reply to Jumpey]

Good reply, Jumpey.

[Hidden]

Just to say mirtazepine makes RLS worse!

[Milleyrl in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the info

[Joolsg]

I agree with Manerva. The mirtazepine will worsen RLS. Glad you can get Kratom. It’s illegal here.

[Hidden]

Can I ask, are you saying you only discovered you had RLS after the lockdown and your inability to exercise or have you had RLS prior to this, sorry but I can't gather that from your post.

When you say severe what do you mean? Are you experiencing symptoms at times other than night? Has it spread to any other parts of your body?

Have you been treated for RLS prior to this? If so what drugs were you prescribed? Have you looked into dietary changes

Can I ask why your Dr added in Mirtazapine? Generally antidepressants exacerbate RLS so that should be considered in your condition.

OK, sorry for all the questions but the more we know the better able we are to help and there is no point me spending ages typing out loads of information for you to reply - "Yeah I do/know that."

In the interim, judging by your post I am going to guess you are in the USA. If you live in a state where cannabis is legal then that may be an alternative to the Kratom. Many here, including myself, have got much benefit from cannabis and there are many here getting access to medical cannabis via Project Twenty21 but that is only open to UK residents.

Shop around for the Kratom as there can be HUGE disparity in prices and if you buy a Kg at a time there are more savings to be got. Prior to the NPS (2016) legislation in the UK I purchased a couple of Kg of Kratom to put away for hard times (ignorant Dr's making uninformed changes, losing my well informed GP, end of the world situations and now Brexit) managing to get a decent price due to buying in bulk.

If you cannot access cannabis legally it will work just as well if its illegal but do be aware of the legal penalties especially if you live in the US.

[LotteM in reply to Hidden]

Wise questions, raffs. Helpful.

[Milleyrl in reply to Hidden]

I had a terrible time at nite with thrashing n constantly tossing n turning at nite for some time n my wife n I thought it was cause I lifted at nite but prior to lifting I would take a preworkout supplement n we thought that was the cause,but when I stopped the gym 5,6 times a week n came off a no sugar high protein healthy diet,the symptoms got bad,I have it in my legs but it spreads to my arms especially my rite arm,feels like I got poison ivy in my muscle n the agitation level that comes with it is unbearable ,I have to get up n move n stretch for the pulling in my rite arm muscles is extremely uncomfortable n will actually hurt the next day,n I basically cant sit still,so yes I'm from the USA,N i mite add I'm a recovering alcoholic n I've been sober for about a year now n i have done damage to my central nerve system,I'm also under alot of stress which I'm now simplifying my life n the Dr subscribed the MERTAZIPINE ,,for sleep,so I'm going back to gym very soon n make another DR appointment n I'm gonna go on a iron supplement

[Hidden in reply to Milleyrl]

Firstly - Congratulations on your sobriety and may your new life be everything your old one wasn't.

I am still confused here. This seems to be a very recent thing and may be in response to situation as opposed to RLS. The stress of recovery, lock down and the inability to sublimate all your energies (both mental and physical) with exercise MAY be the key to your situation.

Why is your Dr suggesting Mirtazapine? That isn't a treatment for RLS and in fact is likely to exacerbate things in people with RLS. Have you suffered with anxiety much in the past? Could this be a physical response to the anxiety of everything getting on top of you? I know for myself I could never see myself under stress until AFTER it was all over, this could be happening with yourself.

Have you been attending meetings and has this changed? Again the inability to maintain a close supportive network could be exacerbating things mentally. Have there been any increase in cravings? Your body may be trying to tell you something you aren't acknowledging.

Also your body may be going through a withdrawal from your high sugar diet. If anything the high sugar diet would have been more likely to cause RLS. I stopped sugar at the start of October and I had a hellish couple of weeks, feeling better now thankfully.

Hopefully some things to consider. Take care.