Blood test done now chat with doctor

[Bev2952]

Hi. I’ve finally had my blood tests done and am having telephone consultation with doctor at 5pm tonight (GMT). If my ferritin level is ok. What’s my next option. I don’t want dopamine agnostic as it sounds terrible. Am I best asking for pregabalin or gavapentin ? I’m in UK. And am 69. XXX

[Hidden]

Hearing your ferritin is "OK" from a doctor is not helpful.

You need to know the exact value. If it less than 75ug/L then you may benefit from starting an oral iron supplement.

I would avoid a prescription iron.

Try "Gentle iron", from H&B. Tale 2 capsules once every two days. Not daily. Take it 20 mins before or 2 hours after eating and either drink a glass of orange or take a vit C tablet at the same time.

The ideal ferritin level for RLS is at least 200ug/L, but unfortunately if your ferritin is over 75ug/L it will be almost impossible to get it that high with capsules.

You are right to avoid any dopamine agonist such as pramipexole, ropinirole or rotigotine.

Pregabalin or gabapentin are internationally recoginsed as having less major complications than dopamine agonists, i.e. they're safer.

Be aware though that they take a few weeks to work, you should start on only a small dose at first then build it up until it works. There are side effects when first taking it, which may fade later. Because of these it is best to only take it at night otherwise.you may be at risk of falling over.

Here are links you can refer your doctor to which support what I write.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/274...

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/rest...

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/rest...

[Bev2952 in reply to Hidden]

Hi. Thank you. Spoke to Doc. Ferreting is 63 so I explained it had to be over 100 and he suggested buying iron tablets. Also my folic acid is very low so putting me on that for 6 weeks. Would that have anything to do with RLS. And my cholesterol is v high so more tablets. Xxx

[Doings in reply to Bev2952]

I’m in U.K. and in similar situation to you. I’ve just had my blood test yesterday, and waiting to hear from my doctor which will probably be next week now. (I’m 69). Difference is that I’m already on Pramipexole have been for over 20 years and as I’ve got Augmentation I’m weaning myself off them very slowly on the really wonderful advice from this site.

My current GP isn’t the one who first prescribed them and I think is a bit shocked that no one has picked up that I’ve been on them for so long without a review. Anyway I’m anxiously waiting to hear what she proposes as an alternative and at what point I begin to take them.

I would appreciate hearing from you how you get on.

This site has been a godsend to me.

[Hidden in reply to Bev2952]

Yes good suggestion buy some over the counter tablets/capsules.

"Gentle" iron is best, ferrous bisgycinate. If you live in the UK, Holland & Barratt have it.

1) Take TWO capsules once every TWO days, NOT daily

2) Take them 30 mins before or 2 hours after eating, preferably in the evening.

3) Drink a glass or orange or a vit C tablet at the same time.

It may take 3 months or more to have effect.

Yes vitamin B12/folate is also a factor in RLS

[DicCarlson]

As Manerva suggests "Gentle Iron" (Ferrous Bisglycinate Chelate) is a great iron supplement with very few issues. Many other iron supplements are constipating. There is new thinking on Folic Acid (Folate) supplements. You can read about it here - apparently poor absorption with synthetic Folic Acid...

quatrefolic.com/quatrefolic...

[s_gc]

You need to go for higher value than 20mg of iron - when I had severe RLS with ferritin levels at just under 20 I was prescribed Ferrous Fumarate 210mg twice by the doctor every day. It did wonders within a month and I was back to normal (i.e waking up once or twice a night 'only'). I take now this every two days as per advice by Manerva to keep things under control.