Is there a restless leg specialist in Boise, ID

[libraryannie]

We just moved to Boise. I am 81 and have been on Pramipexole for over 20 years. Doctors had upped my medication over the years to what is now considered way too high. I have weaned myself down to .5mg and every time I am augmenting, I refuse to increase the dose, again, and endure several nights of horror, then the dose I am on seems to work again. I have not been to a neurologist since the one who started me on Mirapex and swore there would be no side effects. I would love to find a doctor who follows the Mayo Clinic treatment protocol. Is there such a person in Boise, Idaho?

[SueJohnson]

Unfortunately I don't have the names of anyone in Idaho. You might want to join the Restless Legs Foundation at rls.org for $40. it is well worth it as they have lots of information on their website and have a monthly magazine. Then you could contact their Idaho support group and ask if they have a name of a good doctor. Eagle Linda Secretan 661-341-0530 or Dalton Gardens Matt Hill [e-mail]

They may not have a name in Boise but often doctors will require you to see them only once if that and will do telehealth visits after that.

If you do visit a good doctor please let me know your experience good or bad so I can add him/her to my list in case someone asks in the future.

[SueJohnson]

Congratulations for getting down to .5 mg of pramipexole!

On reducing the mirapex, I notice you haven't continued reducing in the last 2 years. You can get an inexpensive jewelry scale that measures down to .01 gram from Amazon for around $11 and shave off a bit of the tablet and measure it. Then reduce by that amount every 2 weeks.

Meanwhile some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium(salt), foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, estrogen without progesterone and sometimes even with it, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, eating late at night, stress and vigorous exercise. It is a good idea to keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse.

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 like therapulse, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga.

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. I have a list of more than 300 medicines and OTC supplements that make RLS worse and have safe alternatives for most of them.

[ChrisColumbus]

There's a sleep clinic in Boise who say that they treat RLS amongst many other sleep disorders, but how up-to-date they are with current research and practice...Perhaps you could contact them before committing to a consultation to ask whether they follow the Mayo Algorithm/the new AASM Clinical Practice Guideline on treatment of RLS?

Everything Sleep

7272 Potomac Drive

Boise, ID 83704

Phone

[phone]

FAX

[phone]

Email

[e-mail]

everythingsleepidaho.com/

[Simkin in reply to ChrisColumbus]

That is interesting. My son lives in Boise. As yet he has not inherited my RLS but he does have terrible problems sleeping.I will mention that sleep clinic to him.

[Horses7]

I recently came off .25 mg of Mirapex because of augmentation. It took me almost 8 months and was not a good experience for me. I had been on it over 10 yrs and had been augmenting for the last 4 years or so but was afraid to go off it cos of the horror stories I'd heard. I am now on Pregabalin 150 mg and it seems to keep it at bay, I only get rls now when I stay up too late, if I go to bed when it starts I'm good. I had to go off the Mirapex VERY slowly and I mean slowly like a sliver every week or two, I would still get withdrawals and not sleep well each time I'd cut back a bit however there was no other way to do it but go through it. This might not be much help however it has been my experience. It feels SO good to be free of Mirapex. I'm on the lowest dose of Pregabalin so fortunately it is enough for me. I've heard that low doses of Buproferine? or Methadone are great options. Best of luck to you!!