Now what?

[Njbva]

I am off requip. Withdrawal is gone, a couple of nights with great sleep. Now I am experiencing restless legs like never before. Waiting to see a neurologist next week. My gp told me she would not follow Dr Berkowski's recommendations because she doesn't know him. In order to have him prescribed anything it is 800 a month for 5 months. On gabapentin and have slowly gone up in dose that was prescribed by my gp. Seems like my symptoms have gotten worse as I have gone up? What would any of you do?

[SueJohnson]

What did Dr Berkowski recommend.?

Give your uneducated GP this information as Dr Berkowski is a world renowned expert in RLS.

He was vice chair of the AASM’s Clinical Practice Guidelines Task Force for the Treatment of RLS published on the first day of 2025 - jcsm.aasm.org/doi/pdf/10.56...

He is serves as a volunteer on the Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation

He is a member of the IRLSSG (International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group)

He went to Stanford.

Most of this is at relacshealth.com/biography

What are her qualifications?

[Njbva in reply to SueJohnson]

100 percent agree. Both my psychiatric PA and she, My gp encouraged me not to go to doctor berkowski because he was too much money and my neurologist would be up on the latest data. I followed their advice but I think I was wrong. I can still see him on Friday. I also have an appointment with a neurologist next wednesday. Once I came out of withdrawal and had a couple of good nights.I thought, well maybe they're right maybe I don't need to see him. Big mistake. I am trying to follow everything you suggest. My blood test all came back fine.

[Njbva in reply to Njbva]

My ferritin levels are super high ...600. Could that be a problem?

[SueJohnson in reply to Njbva]

No - they can be up to 1000 before they are a problem. Mine is over 600.

[SueJohnson in reply to Njbva]

Also I forgot that "The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is proud to announce the 2025 class of Fellows of the AASM, comprising 21 distinguished leaders in sleep medicine who now can use the “FAASM” designation."

Fellow standing recognizes outstanding contributions in sleep medicine, significant achievements in the field, and dedicated membership in the AASM.

aasm.org/aasm-fellow-listing/

[SueJohnson in reply to Njbva]

Who is the neurologist?

[Njbva in reply to SueJohnson]

Dr Mridha Saginaw mi

[Njbva in reply to SueJohnson]

Also have an appointment with Virginia Skiba in May. I am trying this Dr mrudha because he had an appointment right away.

[SueJohnson in reply to Njbva]

Let us know how it goes.

[Njbva in reply to SueJohnson]

I will. I just went ahead and booked Dr Berkowski for Friday. Money is nothing if you feel bad and can't get help. I will let you know what he says.

[Mikisot in reply to SueJohnson]

Doctor Berkovski has titles but actually is mediocre specialist. There are several deads due to his incompetence and careless behaviour.

[SueJohnson in reply to Mikisot]

Can you elaborate.

[JustVisiting23 in reply to Mikisot]

Certainly, your comments require elaboration. Otherwise, you have simply maligned a respected specialist and perhaps causes inappropriate concern amongst those of us who read such posts.

[Chriskong99]

codeine works for lots of people. Hot bath b4 bed massage your legs while in bath . Diet come off processed foods try following keto diet do 30 day challenge it works ❤️

[Summer220]

I have had RLS my whole life. Have had success with THC. I live in USA, Florida where you can get a medical card. A few months ago after a flu, RLS was so bad I saw a neurologist who prescribed gabapentin. It actually made RLS much worse but he kept increasing the dose. After one month I got off them completely and went back to searching for natural remedies. I now use valerian root tincture. It is natural and interacts with gaba. I also take magnesium glycinate and I-Theanine before bed. If I wake up I will take 5mg of THC. Bottom line, IMO stay away from all medications and search natural. You have to do your own research because all doctors will only offer prescription drugs even though they all have terrible side effects and most make RLS worse after a while.