I started taking gabapentin 900mg at bedtime 15 yrs ago, recently switched to 600mg at 9pm and midnight. Not much benefit. Probably developed a tolerance over the years. Started tramadol 50-100mg at bedtime a month ago, some relief but was concerned about addiction with long term use.
Showed the dipyridamole studies to my GP and he agreed to write it for me, 225mg at bedtime, started 3 nights ago. It worked great since the first night with no side effects. It even works throughout the next day. Still dealing with insomnia.
I am retired 70yo male in the states.
Written by
joemomma
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That's fantastic. You're lucky to not experience any adverse effects. I felt dipyridamole helped but the headaches were unbearable. Hopefully the insomnia will correct itself in time given that RLS is under control.
I take vit D. No iron because I never got tested for it but I doubt I'm deficient. Can't take NSAIDs because I'm on ace inhibitor (lisinopril). I take CBD 400mg it helps with sleep.
The reason to get tested is for the ferritin. This is the first thing a doctor should do. Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. And what is a normal ferritin in others is not normal for those of us with RLS and you don't have to be deficient in iron to have ferritin less than 100.
If you want to find out what yours is, when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including in a multivitamin that has iron in it 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.
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Dipyridamole didn't work for me
Dipyridamole
dipyridamole
