Further to my post of 9 months ago

[Rameau]

Hi

Until December last I was taking 40 mg iron bisglycinate with orange juice every two days. Since this had little impact on my RLS I increased the iron dose to 40mg every day from December until now. As yet I have noticed little change to my RLS symptoms. A blood test this month showed my ferritin levels were 100 (Up from 70 nine months ago).

My GP has agreed to prescribe Gabapentin (100mg). I prefer to start at this low dose - partly since, for me, Zopiclone has been a reasonably effective sleep aid as long as not taken daily.

I assume the Gabapentin won’t resolve the warm feet issue that usually signals that start of my RLS symptoms.

Before I start on Gabapentin has anyone any observations.

Many thanks

[SueJohnson]

It will take 3 weeks before it is fully effective. After that increase it by 100 mg ( every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1 to 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 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 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin ." If you take magnesium even in a multivitamin, don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of gabapentin and don't take calcium within 2 hours for the same reason. 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 at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

[Rameau in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue

[Rameau]

I take it at about 10pm each night.

[Rameau]

No, none of those.

[Rameau]

I usually go to bed around 1 am and am asleep within 30 minutes if Zopiclone is effective. All being well I get up between 9 and 10am (unless I have an early appointment), but if not, I might not get to sleep until as late as 3 am - in which case I try to sleep in until at least 10.30am,