Off requip now for a couple of months after 20+ years and on gabapentin 700mg. Wondering now about "repairing dopamine receptors"? Can someone point me in the direction of info on this? What is the effect of "un-repaired dopamine receptors"?
Thanks!!
That's great that you are off requip. If your dopamine receptors have been damaged gabapentin won't work and you can't repair them. However if gabapentin is not helping you it may be because you are not taking enough. In gave you this information earlier but since you were still on requip, you may not remember it, so let me give it to you again. Assuming you have been on it for at least 3 weeks increase it by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1-2 hours before bedtime as the peak plasma level is 2 hours. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. Most of the side effects of gabapentin 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. If you take magnesium even in a multivitamin, take it at least 3 hours before or after taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of gabapentin and if you take calcium don't take it within 2 hours for the same reason . According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin."
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. Keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse
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.
The Gabapentin does work.....seems 700mg is what I need. Just wondering about "dopamine receptors". Googled it and found info on addictions, some on foods to increase dopamine and that RLS is more prevalent in folks who are low in dopamine. I don't read medicalese very well, so those articles are crazy making for me. Really just wondering for all of us who have been on dopamine agonists for awhile, and now off of them, have there been any studies of the effects of dopamine agonists our dopamine receptors? Is this really a concern? Am I making any sense?
I am not aware of any studies but the top experts believe this is true and a number of people on this forum have found that after many years on a dopamine agonist that gabapentin and pregabalin don't work. It is not a concern for you as the gabapentin is working.
good news....no worries. thanks Sue!
My input here, I was on ropinirol for six or seven years, did a really painful taper back in February, spent two weeks with no drugs, and was amazed at how much my RLS calm down. I was then put on low dose oxycodone 15 MG and it’s by far the best treatment I’ve used. Gets me through almost the entire night. Combined with a lot of mental health work and healing from old untreated trauma, I can see the mind-body piece is also a key. At the moment with this combination, I’m working on only using 10 MG of oxycodone with promising results so far.
I amend to the group and am just learning that there is light at the end of the tunnel and we can get off our meds. How did you wean yourself off? I'm so happy for you!
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