Ropinerole, Augmentation, Withdrawal and Ferritin level of 8.

[NonnieJ]

I have posted on here recently after augmenting on Ropinerole. I have reduced it from 2mg to 1.25gm over the last two months and am now struggling to get more than a few hour's sleep a night and dread how this is inevitably going to worsen.

I have a telephone consultation with a doctor today to discuss my recent blood tests, which showed a Ferritin level of just 8. She has prescribed me Ferrous Fumurate 210mg twice a day.

I know I need an iron infusion and am going to ask for this, but I am not hopeful. Incidentally I had one two years ago as my levels were too low for the operation I needed. Also I have Coeliac disease which is preventing absorption of iron from my food intake, so I assume this applies to tablets too, as a Consultant once told me that I am unable to store iron.

I also want to start on a low dose of Gabapentin or Pregablin (is one better than the other?) in readiness for when I come off Ropinerole altogether.

Is there anything else I need to say to the gp? My mind is so addled from sleep deprivation that I can't think straight.

Thank you in advance

Nonnie

[Joolsg]

Nonnie- you can raise ferritin better by taking iron ONCE A DAY & EVERY OTHER DAY. Research link attached. You would definitely benefit from an Injectafer infusion . If in England, look up haematology dept at nearest large hospital & attach the article on iron & RLS. Infusions improve RLS in 60% so it’s well worth pushing for an infusion & stress it’ll save NHS a fortune in meds if it works. In the meantime take ferrous bisglycinate 50mg every other night. I raised levels to 200 in this way.

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/319...

[NonnieJ in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you. The doctor is writing to the Haemotologist Consultant requesting an iron infusion .She has also given me Clonazepam to help with sleeping but said try this and see how it goes before trying Gabapentin.

She said it worked well for another patient with RLS.

[Joolsg in reply to NonnieJ]

Clonazepam does work well but it tends to lose effectiveness faster than other meds. But it will be ideal to take until you get the infusion because if the infusion helps, it’s easier to reduce the clonazepam.

I really hope you get the infusion & that you’re in the 60%. Good luck.

[NonnieJ in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you Joolsg. I hope it's not too long a wait but it was so nice to get a doctor who was ready to listen.

[Joolsg in reply to NonnieJ]

Absolutely- that’s so helpful & your GP seems to know her stuff.

[DicCarlson]

You can bypass the gut issues by trying a patch. PatchMD...

patchmd.com/iron-plus-topic...

[NonnieJ in reply to DicCarlson]

Thank you for that. I will see how things go now with the infusion first. But that seems a possible alternative to tablets.Thank you

Nonnie