Working with RLS

[Kippling]

I have suffered from RLS, for many, many years. I have it in my arms as well as my legs, during the day, and at night. I was struggling at work before I was made redundant. Falling asleep on the bus, and on breaks etc. I was/am taking Ropinerole, which causes severe drowsiness. I am now sixty, I was in retail work before, but found I was unable to return to it. I now have a live in position with a lady, looking after her seven dogs. I am on a very, very low wage. Does anybody with RLS claim benefits, or is the illness not recognised by the benefits system.

[Hidden]

I'm afraid, as far as I know, RLS is not classed as a disability and I doubt if you could claim benefits based on it. If you are incapacitated because of it you may be able to claim, but not simply becasue you have the condition.

Your best option is probably to ask Citizen's Advice Bureau.

As regards your symptoms, it appears that you've been taking ropinirole for some years and although you don't mention the dose, I imagine it's reached the maximum of 4mg. Of course I may be wrong in this, let me know.

However, I'm gussing this since you are displaying the classic signs of dopaminergic augmentation.

This one of the major complications of taking a dopamine agonist such as ropinirole.

Augmentation can be treated and your symptoms can be improved. In your case it may be best to wean off the ropinirole as this is what's causing the augmentation. You may need to replace it with an alternative.

I strongly suggest you see your GP about this, but you may find that they know little about RLS or augmentation and you may have to educate them.

It would be very advisable for you to visit the link below and read other people's experiences of augmentation in this forum.

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

You can show your GP this webpage.

The page is part of the NICE guidance for GPs on managing RLS. It's well worth you reading more of the site.

It does appear as if yor RLS may have been mismanaged, possibly for years. You may like to discuss this with a medical negligence solicitor.

This is a link to the index page of the NICE website.

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

I hope this makes sense.