Requip and RLS

StrawartS · February 27, 2006

Does anybody else have Restless Leg Syndrome? If you've never heard of it, I know it sounds nuts. But, it's totally legit. Here's how the sleeping pill, but I still struggle with the symptoms until the pill kicks in. And if I'm not very tired when I go to bed, it's worse.

There's a new drug made specifically for RLS called Requip. I'm wondering if anyone has tried it. I'm probably going to ask my doctor for it, but I wanted to know how others are dealing with it. From what I understand, one of the side effects is something like falling asleep in the middle of the day.

Anybody know anything?

StrawartS · February 27, 2006

Well, never mind. I've done some more research and have decided that I am not ready to be a guinea pig. Here are some other great resources for RLS info:

RLS Discussion Group

Southern California RLS Support Group (go to treatment page for extensive list of treatment options)

WeMove.com Discussion Forum

Anwyn · February 27, 2006

Hi Strawart,

You may want to check out this thread:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=12277&highlight=restless+leg+syndrome

StrawartS · February 27, 2006

Thanks, Anne. I didn't think to do a search until after I posted my own thread. Oops.

Anwyn · February 27, 2006

No biggie - I don't usually search either, I just remembered reading about it somewhere. I hope you can find some good info - RLS is no fun.

kimalicious · February 27, 2006

I have had this off and on since I was little, never for more than one night at a time, just like my legs are anxious...probably only had it like 15 times my entire life. I got it really bad after Lap Band Sugery, I guess from lack of movement during the day and then trying to sleep at night when I wasn't tired. I have to walk it off basically. I have also always had bad charley horses since elementary school. I wonder if the two are related? I have huge man calf muscles for a chic and wondered if that had something to do with it too? I hate that feeling and hope that I never get it chonically because I couldn't handle that. Good luck on your research, thanks for the good info!

lambchops · February 27, 2006

Oh ya, they are pretty sure I have it. I was in a car accident a few years ago and have chronic myofascial pain syndrome and some say they go together. I too was on a sleeping pill, but then got off it. Those two weeks were rough. Now I do a lot better. You know what really works for me? Massage. I go for three hours a week and I have a "thumper" - it is a hand held massager- works wonders. Gets rid of the bugs on my legs feelings

StrawartS · February 27, 2006

Some of us RLS sufferers have figured out by accident that pain meds, such as Vicodin and Ultram, are some of the best treatments for RLS. Only within probably the last five years have these drugs been acknowledged as effective treatment options. Most docs are afraid to prescribe pain meds because of the fear of addiction.

In addition to the lack of movement after surgery, you might have been taking Vicodin or liquid Lortab. I always try to stay away from any pain meds because the RLS gets worse after I stop. Your post-op episode of RLS may be considered secondary and an effect of withdrawal from any pain meds you were taking.

Everybody mentions the lack of movement post-op, but I haven't heard anyone talk about abrupt withdrawl from pain meds. Even if I just take one dose, I have trouble sleeping the next night because my body has already gotten use to the RLS relief provided by pain meds.

kimalicious · February 27, 2006

Never thought of that. The meds could have surely been a factor. I will have to remember that next time I take something like that to see if it happens again. Thank goodness I haven't needed any pain meds since my surgery for anything. I would hope to keep it that way, ha!

Feel2Young2B40 · March 1, 2006

Hi! I have it and I find all the exercising I've been doing lately lessens the symptoms. I don't know if it's because I'm tiring out the muscles, etc or what but it does seem to help. I haven't filled my prescription yet because I'm not crazy about taking medicine if I can find an alternative method.

kimalicious · March 1, 2006

Ok, I felt a need to share this....in the earlier post I talked about how this rarely happens to me, but after this post started it happened yesterday and I have twinges of feeling it come on today. Now, I did quit cokes and caffiene on last Thursday and wonder if that had anything to do with it all of a sudden hitting. I had walked from my car to class which is about a mile and when I was in class I got really sleepy and was half way nodding off during lecture. I got so uncomfortable and anxious all of a sudden and couldn't stop my legs. I tapped my foot really hard over and over to try to keep it moving without looking crazy. I also have an issue of not having a butt. WHich means I have my 206 pound body sitting on basically butt bone, so I get very uncomfortable a lot from sitting on my butt bone at work all day or for long classes at school. So this went on during the episode too and I kept getting these burst of anxiety that came up through my legs. I just thought that it was weird that it hasn't happened since my surgery and then there is this post and it happens. I wonder if the caffiene withdrawl had anything to do with it??

schel · March 3, 2006

Went to the doc today and got my script for REQUIP. One of the docs I work with said it could be from Iron defenciency. I'll let you know how it works.

Schel