Doctors

[Memmy]

This is ridiculous. There must be doctors out there who suffer from rls. Can't they do something to help. Do they treat themselves and let others suffer. They should be shouting loudly about better treatment

[LotteM]

Hi Memmy, did you succeed in contacting dr Hadjigeorgiou? Was s/he the one who prescribed the 30mg codeine?

We need to educate our doctors, as we do need them. I always prepare my visit, read and often print and bring the most relevant paper, but still it is difficult, as the current guidelines for RLS now mostly involve treatments that are mot yet licensed' for RLS. Thus, if drs prescribe medicines according to these guidelines, it will almost exclusively be so-called off-label use of the medicine. Not all doctors feel secure and free and knowledgeable enough to do so. Hence Joolsg's quest to get RLS taught at medical school. And maybe not only the condition itself, but with a great emphasis on the potential of RLS to totally upset the patients quality of life. Combined with its invisibility, as that is a 'deadly' combination, a setup for lack of recognition and neglect. For now, we have to be patient-experts and guide our doctors.

[Memmy in reply to LotteM]

No, as yet I am in Crete so I haven't tried to contact him.

[Memmy in reply to LotteM]

I have written to him on several email addresses tho I found but he hasn't replied. I find this a bit rude so even if I did find him I don't think I would want to see him.

[Madlegs1]

Good point, Memmy.I've often wondered that!

[dklohrey]

Actually my current doctor has RLS but it is not as severe as mine. She finds relief with a weighted blanket. I have not tried that yet. I am currently on 300mg of pregabalin which provides some relief but it is far from being a great solution.

[Memmy in reply to dklohrey]

I went from 300 to 400mgs and it's made a huge difference. I bet your doctor is youngish. Talk to her in a few years and let's see if a weighted blanket helps then. I hope it does

[Hidden in reply to Memmy]

Hi Memmy, I’m thrilled you are doing better with the higher dose. I don’t think you have to deny yourself chocolate, just not at night. Are you, in general, doing that long night time fast? Have you tried the iron at night thing? If 400mg of Pregabalin does it for you then these other practices may be a waste of time for you.

[TheDoDahMan in reply to Memmy]

I tried a weighted blanket but got no relief. When I was prescribed low-dose (5 mg, twice daily) methadone, 3 years ago, all my RLS symptoms disappeared. Immediately.

[580480]

Forget about docs .G.Ps….for RLS you need to contact a neurologist….DOCS do not have enough knowledge of RLS

[kelirock in reply to 580480]

I saw a Neurologist after being referred by my GP. Unfortunately the Neurologist also knew very little about RLS and appeared to be disinterested in the condition. He prescribed Sifrol which was good for about 4 years only. Not all Neurologists have knowledge about or are interested in RLS either.

[580480 in reply to kelirock]

Find a different neurologist don’t give up because you found a useless one

[Guitarpickin in reply to 580480]

I don’t think most neurologists are great with RLS. Mine is kind and caring but is far from being an expert on RLS (though he seems to believe he is). The first medicine he ever prescribed for me, without discussion and with only minimal warning, was mirapex. Thankfully I had a weird reaction to it on the second dose, which is what led me to this site. This site has been more valuable to the course of my treatment and getting my life back than any of the three medical doctors I see.

[TajarTales]

I printed out the latest protocol for the treatment of RLS and took it to my doctor. Fortunately, she was willing to read and follow it.

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

If a doctor was not inclined to follow it, I wouldn't be inclined to return. My previous doctor caused more damage by prescribing meds that caused augmentation.