![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Bubblehead on January 11, 2005, at 10:41:17
Does anyone know of any alternatives to restless leg syndrome? My father has it and they placed him on an anti depressent. He doesn't like being on it and it isn't helping that much. My Mother counted his legs jumping every 11 seconds the other night. He has lost over a hundred pounds, so I know that weight is not a contibutor anymore. If there is an alternative that actually works please let me know.
Posted by Chairman_MAO on January 11, 2005, at 16:25:25
In reply to Restless leg syndrome????, posted by Bubblehead on January 11, 2005, at 10:41:17
Phenibut 250mg-2g 2 hours before bedtime quite possibly would work. One study showed 250mg t.i.d. markedly potentiated the effect of antiparkinson drugs.
Posted by ed_uk on January 12, 2005, at 5:16:22
In reply to Restless leg syndrome????, posted by Bubblehead on January 11, 2005, at 10:41:17
Which antidepressant was prescribed? ADs are not generally used to treat RLS. Some antidepressants can worsen restlessness.
Ed.
Posted by green willow on January 14, 2005, at 12:35:18
In reply to Restless leg syndrome????, posted by Bubblehead on January 11, 2005, at 10:41:17
I've had good results with adding 200 mg. Selenium daily. Also a low level of ferritin can cause this, so he might consider having this level checked or just try supplementing with iron.
Posted by Bubblehead on January 15, 2005, at 8:19:43
In reply to Re: Restless leg syndrome???? » Bubblehead, posted by green willow on January 14, 2005, at 12:35:18
Sorry it took me soo long to return a post. I had to call him. He is on 50mg of Trazodone. I'm not familiar with it it but he said the pharmacy print out said it was an antidepressant. I'm going to call him and see if he has been checked for that and tell him about the different suggestions. Thank you!
Posted by Bubblehead on January 17, 2005, at 10:08:47
In reply to Re: Restless leg syndrome???? » Bubblehead, posted by green willow on January 14, 2005, at 12:35:18
I stopped at my father's place to check on him. He said he was checked for iron levels and they were fine. He even takes both and iron and a calcium supplement. He managed to agrivate his groin muscle from his legs jumping so much. Now he has that discomfort to deal with also. I wish doctors understood more about this instead of just treating it with addictive medicines.
Posted by green willow on January 17, 2005, at 22:02:20
In reply to Re: Restless leg syndrome????, posted by Bubblehead on January 17, 2005, at 10:08:47
> I stopped at my father's place to check on him. He said he was checked for iron levels and they were fine. He even takes both and iron and a calcium supplement. He managed to agrivate his groin muscle from his legs jumping so much. Now he has that discomfort to deal with also. I wish doctors understood more about this instead of just treating it with addictive medicines.
Have him try the Selenium. It is one of the anti-oxident. My sleep doctor is one of the formost authorities of RLS (at least he tells me that) and he said selenium helps about 50% of the sufferers. When I started, it took a few weeks for me to get any benefit, and reached full benefit after about one month. It needs to be 200 mcg. to do any good. Good luck.
Posted by jujube on January 18, 2005, at 22:43:03
In reply to Re: Restless leg syndrome????, posted by Bubblehead on January 17, 2005, at 10:08:47
Folate (folic acid) and magnesium deficiencies can also cause RLS. As you already know, iron deficiency also causes RLS. However, one does not have to have full-blown iron deficiency anemia to be afflicted by RLS. It is my understanding that low serum ferritin levels can also cause RLS. I had RLS for many months when I was suffering from iron deficiency (my iron stores were practically nil). It is not as bad now that my iron stores are finally at the very low end of the normal range, but it can still be bothersomev at times.
Here are a couple of links that you may find of interest (if you have not already seen the information).
http://community.healthgate.com/GetContent.asp?siteid=ehosp&docid=/dci/restlesslegs
http://www.tldp.com/issue/179/restless_legs_syndrome.htmOn one of the above-cited websites, I seem to recall seeing that ADs may aggravate or cause RLS.
I hope your dad finds some relief soon.> I stopped at my father's place to check on him. He said he was checked for iron levels and they were fine. He even takes both and iron and a calcium supplement. He managed to agrivate his groin muscle from his legs jumping so much. Now he has that discomfort to deal with also. I wish doctors understood more about this instead of just treating it with addictive medicines.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Alternative | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.