Ropinirole/B12

[Margaret59]

Hi

I take 2 x 0.25 ropinirole at night, my GP last week suggested I increase to 3 then 4, I asked if there was any link to B12. I had been on B12 injections for a number of years then put on B12 tablets and then at the start of the pandemic I got a text saying I no longer needed B12. Since I’ve stopped the tablets my legs are awful not a day or night goes bye that I’m not suffering with it.

[Elffindoe]

Hi.

Firstly, if your GP is advising increasing the ropinirole because your RLS is getting worse then this demonstrates their ignorance I'm afraid.

I'm sorry if you find this hard to accept.

If however you have read over the years the many posts about augmentation you might find it easier to accept.

The better way to deal with loss of efficacy or augmentation due to taking a dopamine agonist such as ropinirole is to reduce, or even stop it and replace it with an alternative.

See this link

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

About the B12. B12 can be a factor in RLS, certainly RLS is associated with B12 anaemia.

B12 deficiency can also exacerbate or cause RLS.

That is - a deficiency.

B12 intake, is unlikely to affect RLS if you have no deficiency.

Of your GP said you no longer need B12 injections this suggests you don't have a deficiency and hence stopping them shoould have no immediate effect on your RLS.

However I find your case a little strange. You had injections for YEARS. I don't understand this. I can see that injections may be needed for some cases of acute serious B12 deficiency, but not for years.

However, less acute less serious deficiency could be greated with B12 tablets.

Another factor is for various reasons, some people are unable to effectively absorb B12 from the diet.

An example of this is "pernicious anaemia". It"s due a lack of a substance known as "intrinsic factor" secreted in the stomach.

In this case, tablets won't help, injections are needed.

Why then have you had injections for years?

If have any absorption problem with B12 then once you stop the injections your B12 levels will fall.

Pernicious anaemia is life long. If you have have any other absorption problem then it probably won't have disappeared.

I suggest then you have a discussion with your GP about why you were prescribed injections in the first place. Beong told just that your B12 was low is NOT an explanation. Why was it low?

In addition, how long is it since your last injection and what is your B12 level now?