I’ve been a RLS sufferer since 2006. I am on (4 x 1mg) and Gabapentin (7 x 300mg) daily.
I fully sympathise with anyone who suffers from this debilitating condition. There have been times I’ve not wanted to be here. There is only so much you can cope with!
Recently I heard that Magnesium was good for RLS, so I bought some at Waitrose. After two days I suddenly felt calm neurologically!! You can imagine how I felt. Anyway I had to come and tell you, in case this is the answer to your prayers.
Regards
Karen
Written by
RLSKaren
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I'm pleased for you! As Madlegs1 said, take it at least 3 hours apart from the gabapentin. On the gabapentin my guess is you are taking it wrong. Take 600 mg 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. Then since you need more than 600 mg take 600 mg 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. Then take take 600 mg 6 hours before bedtime and the final 300 mg 8 hours before bedtime. Since this is ridiculous and you wouldn't be able to take your magnesium 3 hours apart, you should switch to pregabalin which can be taken all in one dose. You can switch directly. The equivalent dose would be 350 mg.
I assume that the 4 X 1 mg is ropinirole. That is the maximum amount. If it is controlling your RLS, great. But be aware of the signs of augmentation which are when you have to keep increasing your dose to get relief, or when your symptoms occur earlier in the day or there is a shorter period of rest or inactivity before symptoms start or when they move to other parts of your body (arms, trunk or face) or when the intensity of your symptoms worsen. Do any of these apply to you? If so let us know as we can help you.
Have you had your ferritin checked? Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including multivitamins that have iron in them 48 hours before the test, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice. Improving your ferritin is one of the ways to help avoid augmentation.
Meanwhile some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, estrogen, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise. Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate as you found out, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga.
Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute.
Glad the magnesium is helping. But why do you need it if you're on 2100mg gabapentin and 4mg of another drug?I'll bet the 4mg is Ropinirole.
If so, there's no point adding gabapentin as it won't help severe RLS caused by the Ropinirole.
Please have a look at the post about augmentation ( drug induced worsening of RLS caused by Ropinirole) below and an expert talking about Ropinirole and Pramipexole. These drugs aren't prescribed by experts anymore because they actually make the disease much, much worse. As RLS isn't taught to doctors in the UK, your GP will not be aware of this.
Thanks for your message ... I wonder if the "magnesium cure" was just an anomaly - would be interested to hear again in a few weeks. I have take it now for about four months with zero improvement.
Please do read everything that Jools and Sue have written in response to your posting. If it is Ropinirole that you are taking, this is a massive amount, and frightening to know that you are also taking it with Gabapentin.
Great for you, hope your success continues. I have tried that combination many times with no change in conditions. I think your success is very rare and exceptional. Keep it up.
I've had RLS for decades and the first medication I ever took was when I recently took half of a 375mg tablet - it works like magic for me, and it works very fast.
If I forget to take it and feel RLS coming on, I can go take the half-tablet and within an hour (at most) I feel the relief.
I've read that the Max anyone should take in a day is 350mg of Magnesium which is why I'm halving my 375mg tablets
Been doing this for a few weeks now, delighted with the effects
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