Clonidine

[Jauny]

My doctor won't prescribe me gabapentin because of side effects instead I was given quinine sulphate which, surprise surprise, was no use at all. Is there anything else I can ask for that might help that he will be more likely to prescribe? I saw some people mention clonidine, is that of any use with RLS?

[SueJohnson]

Yes clonidine can help RLS but it is unlikely to completely control it.

Another one to try is dipyridamole. You might want to discuss this with your doctor. It has helped some people on this forum and another forum I was on and has completely eliminated RLS in some. In the winter 2022 edition of Night Walkers, the publication of RLS.org there is an article by Sergi Ferre about dipyridamole discussing the effectiveness of it in a 2 week double blind placebo controlled study showing it completely ameliorated all symptoms. The study was by Dr. Garcia Borreguero movementdisorders.onlinelib... sciencedirect.com/science/a...

Take it on an empty stomach. (fats inhibit absorption) about 1-1/2 to 2 hours before bed. If you have headaches they tend to disappear or lessen after around 5 days. Coffee can counteract its effects by blocking the same receptors that dipyridamole aims to enhance.so the advice is to avoid it 12 to 24 hours before taking the dipyridamole. It is possible you could take it in the morning or it is possible you can't take it at all.

You may need a new doctor since gabapentin is the first line treatment for RLS. Have you shown him/her the Mayo Updated Algorithm on RLS which states this? Dr Novraj Dhanjal National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery is recommended by Ephemera.

[Jauny in reply to SueJohnson]

Brilliant. Thank you.

[charlie1234567890 in reply to SueJohnson]

Isn’t dipyridamole an anticoagulant?

[SueJohnson in reply to charlie1234567890]

Yes

[Joolsg]

Print off NHS and NICE guidance.Both discuss gabapentin for RLS.

And write to the GMC and The RCGP explaining that you have RLS and that the RCGPs assured RLS-UK that ALL GPs would know how to treat RLS.

Prescribing quinine is not only decades out of date, it's dangerous!

Sounds like your GP qualified in the 60s or 70s and desperately needs to update his knowledge and training.

He's a dinosaur!

Please complain because this doctor sounds dreadful.

Can you change surgery?

[Jauny in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Jools, that's kind of what I thought. Doc us actually quite a young guy. I just heard that he's moving on so I'll have someone new. Fingers crossed he's better.

[Oscarcat63]

I take clonidine, but I mainly use it to help me sleep - 2 - 300 micrograms/night.- it is quite effective I have found.It can be used to lower blood pressure - my gp said that is an 'old use' for it ( his words).

It is non addictive, but I have noticed that I sometimes wake with a headache and some limb weakness in the mornings (but that may not necessarily be due to the medication!) Otherwise, I haven't noticed any bad side effects from it !

That said, it may not be the best medication if you are already prone to low bp, as it may exacerbate feelings of dizziness or even precipitate falls. But I am not a doctor and if you are concerned, it is best to discuss that with them. Anything is better than rls, which can also cause the above !

[Jauny in reply to Oscarcat63]

Thanks that's really helpful.i might ask my GP about it. My lack of sleep is my main concern about my RLS and I don't think my blood pressure is low, if anything I'm occasionally told it's a bit high, though I've never needed treatment for it. I'll keep you posted. Do you wake up OK or dies itleave you a bit spaced out and dozy like other

[Jauny in reply to Oscarcat63]

Sorry sent by accident before I was finished! Medication, I was going to say!

[Oscarcat63 in reply to Jauny]

Sometimes I will still wake up - I am on 300 mg pregabalin/night. But I generally managed 5 -8 hours of sleep on it

[ziggypiggy in reply to Oscarcat63]

I find clonidine fantastic for helping with anxiety. I wish it would push me into sleep but no luck. It doesn't bother my RLS but I don't think it helps either. Dry mouth.

[Jauny in reply to ziggypiggy]

Thank you.

[grandma_of_7]

that’s odd. I’m 70. I’ve been on gabapentin for about 6 years. Do you have other conditions?

[Jauny in reply to grandma_of_7]

No other conditions. What's odd, in particular?