QUININE

[Moonwalker1967]

Has anyone tried Quinine for RLS? GP in the England says either up the Pramipexole dose 0.18 or try quinine. Definitely don't want to up the Pramipexole again. Going to hospital for a fasting blood test as well. Yippee! Keeping fingers crossed that they find something in my bloods like iron deficiency which just needs be substituted!

[Joolsg]

Get a new GP asap.Negligent, incorrect advice. Never increase Pramipexole as Augmentation is inevitable. Quinine is useless for RLS and causes heart failure.

I seriously despair of the advice given by UK GPs.

Refer him to the latest Mayo algorithm, the NHS guidelines on RLS and he needs to go on a GP training course like the ones run by the company below. As you can see, they make it clear Pramipexole and Ropinirole are now last resort. Raising serum ferritin should happen first. Get the numbers from your blood results.

Consider reporting the GP as the advice about taking quinine is very dangerous and completely incorrect.

nbmedical.com/kiss/kiss-res...

[Moonwalker1967 in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks 👍 I wish I could speak to a GP or neurologist. It was an Advanced Practitioner (whatever that means) who called and is in charge of the prescription. She just said can increase Pramipexole all the time when I mentioned augmentation. Makes no difference to me as still on a low dose. She was wondering why I was concerned!? I will go to the blood test tomorrow and make sure I get to make note of the results and share on here. Will try quinine just to see if any help. Getting desperate now! It's a mugs game!!! Sob, sob :(Thanks for the help!

[Joolsg in reply to Moonwalker1967]

If you're desperate it would appear you're already suffering augmentation if symptoms. I guarantee the quinine will not help.Read the pinned post below on augmentation. When that happens, your RLS symptoms increase in intensity, start earlier in the day and move to other body parts.

The only solution is to get off it. Very slowly by half a 0.088 pill every 3 weeks.

Most need an opioid to help with the severe withdrawal symptoms.

Replacement meds like pregabalin should be started 3 weeks before you drop the last dose as it takes that time to take effect.

Read, read, read all you can as RLS isn't taught to doctors in the UK so they know zero.

The more you learn, the more you can help yourself.

Most of the members join because Pramipexole and Ropinirole aren't working and their RLS is getting more severe.

Once off Pramipexole, most of us are now stable on other meds and can sit still in the day etc.

[Moonwalker1967 in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks so much for your valuable advice!

[Bruxelles]

Hi Moonwalker 1967,My GP gave me Quinine but it didn’t make any difference to my RLS.

Maybe for you it will work, I hope so. Good luck

[Madlegs1 in reply to Bruxelles]

Quinine is actively discouraged by the FDA.It can cause heart attack in some people.

It is ok for leg cramps-- NOT RLS.

[kelirock]

Hello, a few years ago I tried Quinine for RLS. I can't really say it was fully beneficial, I think at times symptoms might have been lessened but I couldn't recommend Quinine on a long term basis. I ceased taking it several years ago which makes me feel there was little or limited benefit at all.

Quinine as a drug has it's own issues as well, if you are considering it I suggest you make yourself familiar with known side effects...

I am finding 3 or so puffs of marijuana at night settles my RLS down and after about 30 minutes they cease all together. This treatment lasts for about 24 hours until the RLS start again.

Good luck with finding something that helps you. It is a rotten syndrome or disease whatever it is.

[Elouis]

Yes, off and on, as found in supermarket tonic water. It was recommended about 5 years ago to help alleviate RLS.

[Pyrogent in reply to Elouis]

Hi Elouis, I can agree with you on that, I found a glass of tonic water late in the evening gives me a restfull night, I always have a glass by the bed as well, If my legs start to play up I just have that, within 20 mins or so I can settle down again, been using it for a while now, was recommended by someone who was using it for the same thing for a long while, he had recommended it to others who found relief in it as well. A lot of people say it doesn't work, but tonic water gives me relief. maybe its not the quinine but something in the tonic water or a reaction with the other meds I am on, It doesnt cure it, but gives relief to the stage where I can get to sleep.

[purpleprs]

Quinine is good for cramps only RLS is not cramping. Hope the blood test route works.

[SueJohnson]

When you have your blood tests,be sure they check your ferritin level. Be sure you get the actual results and not just your doctor saying it is OK.

[DicCarlson]

Quinine is not a good treatment for RLS or leg cramps - both US and UK medical authorities pan it's use. For leg cramps use electrolytes and lots of water. Article here...

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/a...

[Abookwriter2]

Listen to joolsg and madlegs-the most experienced here helped me immensely. Over a year ago, I just went to Dr. Buchfuhrer who happened to be close to me. Methadone or low dose (really low dose) opioids have literally turned my rls around. Rarely have a break through and caffeine after 12 noon is the culprit.

[StevenWindber]

Yes Qualaquin (Quinine) does work. I have severe RLS and it works immediately

I have tried every other treatment out there

[Moonwalker1967 in reply to StevenWindber]

Thanks, Steven! I have 200 mg tablets on prescription. So will definitely try. What time do you take the tablet. Considering I am going to sleep at 11.00 pm.

[StevenWindber in reply to Moonwalker1967]

I take it around 9:30PM and go to bed 11pm

[Hidden]

I would do your research on taking quinine in the UK the information is using it for cramps not RLS. and should not be used on regular basis because of health issues in the USA the FDA banned its use a few years ago to be only used for treating malaria

[Moonwalker1967 in reply to Hidden]

Just to let you know that quinine didn't help at all. Will have to think of something else. What a waste of money!!! Brrrrr🥵