Advice on Diazepam

[Whymelord]

Hi everyone, I have a very good friend who doesn't suffer from RLS but has a lot of other illnesses,she knows how I suffer with this nightmare. She gave me a few Diazepam and they where a great help to me,please can someone tell me if I should ask my gp for more or do they eccaserbate RLS eventually

[SueJohnson]

It doesn't make RLS worse but your doctor should evaluate any interactions with your other medicines.

[Whymelord in reply to SueJohnson]

Thankyou Sue for replying.

[Jumpey]

No diazapam doesn't make RLS worse.They can be addictive.

[Whymelord in reply to Jumpey]

Hi Jumpey,I did hear they can be addictive but I'm 80 years old so I figure I'd take the chance if I would get relief and a sleep😴.

[Jumpey in reply to Whymelord]

I agree.

[MaxxRLS]

Hi, they do seem to help RLS as they are a muscle relaxant and sleep aid BUT your GP will either not prescribe them or if they do it will only be 3 days worth (usually 3 x 10mg per day for 3 days) as they are highly addictive.

They generally will only do that for very short term ‘issues’ i.e. upcoming dental work, exams, operation etc

So not really a solution for RLS but could give you 3-4 days respite which can be very beneficial.

[Whymelord in reply to MaxxRLS]

Thankyou Maxx,but then isn't meds such as Pregabalin and some other meds addictive, I was on Pregabalin for a time,they didn't help me but I found it hard to get off them.

[MaxxRLS in reply to Whymelord]

Not according the the NHS website.

Firstly there is this quote I found on NHSUK

“If you have epilepsy, it's likely that once your condition is under control you will continue to take pregabalin for many years.

If you're taking pregabalin for nerve pain or anxiety it's likely that once your symptoms have gone you will continue to take it for several months to stop them coming back”

It does say your GP will monitor you, probably more for side effects than addiction as it also states “you will continue to take it for several months to stop them coming back” - generally unless there is a specific incident that caused the ‘nerve pain’ then it likely will come back.

BUT, this document from the NHS states clearly that Gabapentin is not addictive (hence Pregablin also)

wwl.nhs.uk/media/.leaflets/...

There is a section called ‘Is Gabapentin addictive’ where it clearly states ‘Gabapentin is not addictive’

That said it may well be hard to get off a medication which does so much to alleviate the misery of restless legs and/or anxiety .. and I truly sympathise

[amrob123]

Why not see if your doctor will prescribe clonazepam? For some reason, doctors seem more comfortable prescribing clonazepam over other benzodiazepines like temazepam and diazepam. It's not typically recommended for RLS but some people find it helps. I find it helps me sleep although daytime fatigue can be an issue with it because of its long half life.

[Whymelord in reply to amrob123]

Thankyou amrob,its soo frustrating going to visit my gp and trying to discuss meds.they have a one track mind when prescribing meds for RLS,it's either Pramipexole or Ropinirole that I've ever been given.im gonna have yet another try at getting something else.i really am in desperation.

[smilingjane]

I take Clonazepan for anxiety and panic attacks. They help with relaxation thereby helping sleep too.

I've never found them at all affective with restless legs.

I saw a private endocrinologistin London, (zoom call) and he prescribed Buprenorphine, (low dose). He was recommended to me by Jules on this forum.

I was at the stage where my RL was all over my body and I couldn't have gone on without urgent help.

The prof'that I saw made me try 4 or so other meds before he would allow Buprenorphine. Ticking the list 🧐

I dutifully tried them all but was determined after all I had read about the other meds I was asked to try - that I wanted the Buprenorphine.

One of the meds was Rotigitine, (patch) which we all know by now can make RLS worse.

So two or more years down the line I am RL free.

If you want the name of the prof I saw PM me.

I wish you all the best going forward.

[Whymelord in reply to smilingjane]

Thankyou smilingjane,RLS free,omg that would be my dream,I'm in N.Ireland, not aware of anyone that could help but please give me the name of the Prof.