Chaoslove

[Chaoslove]

Just started on Pregabalin last night after taking Ropinirole for a few years with little success. Fingers crossed! GP started me on low dose. Have a fab GP so am happy to try whatever she recommends.

[Madlegs1]

Good luck.

Are you experiencing withdrawals from stopping the Rop?

What dose were you on?

How did you taper down?

[SueJohnson]

Welcome to the forum. You will find lots of help, support and understanding here.

It will take a few weeks for your symptoms from discontinuing Ropinirole to settle down and it will take 3 weeks for the pregabalin to be fully effective, After that increase it by 25 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. Most of the side effects will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 200 to 300 mg pregabalin." It is best to not take calcium within 2 hours since it may or may not interfere with its absorption. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know including about its treatment and refer your doctor to it if needed as many doctors do not know much about RLS or are not uptodate on it as yours isn't or they never would have prescribed ropinirole atHttps://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? 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, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. 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.

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, eating late at night, estrogen including HRT, 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, fennel, 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, CBD, 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, vibration devices, 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.

[otter5]

i am on ropinirole and have been for several years. it started getting worse but i now take gentle iron and magnesium at the same time just before bedtime and big improvement