RLS and Requip

[skits]

During my titration I used Requip because I danced a jig all night long the first sleep night. When I finally saw my doc after the titration and discussed the study he gave me a sample pack of requip. It started out at 25 mg for a few days, went to 50 for a few and ended with 1 mg. When I thought that the amount was working he would give me a prescription at the dose I thought worked best. First night was amazing. Dwindled a bit after that first night, but I still did more in three weeks than I'd done in the last year. Even gave up the daily naps.

I always knew I kicked all night (hubby's complaint for many years), but I'd never felt it. Only time I ever had RLS awake was if I had been very physical during the day and was worn out lying in the recliner. I always knew it was just because I was exhausted. Hadn't had that sensation for a few years (probably cause I didn't move much LOL).

Now I'm on 25 mg of Requip, and by 10 p.m. I have RLS to the max. After I take my pill it works well enough that I sleep pretty much through the night versus before the pill when I was waking up every two hours with what I thought were hot flashes.

Long story short (?) am I now addicted to Requip? It has really made a big difference in my life, but if I don't go to bed by ten I'm jigging away. Anyone else have this? BTW, since Requip I do not have any hot flashes...no symptoms of menopause. Even stopped taking New Phase (black cohash, clover, etc., herb medicine)

Downside, I am not compliant at all with the CPAP. (Please don't lecture!)
Just wondered if anyone else uses Requip and their reactions to it.

[activensleepy]

I have some experience with Requip as RLS (which typically is the feeling/cramping/tingle in the limbs BEFORE you dose off) as PLMD is the jerking of legs, limbs during sleep. I have found CPAP greatly reduced my RLS issues, so I stopped Requip.

The million dollar question, does your studies show the leg movements (PLMD) are causing arousals or brief awakenings? If they are, meds are an option. If not, why bother unless your bed partner is going nuts with the movements.

[kteague]

Hi. Have you seen a copy of your sleep studies? They should note if you have PLMD as well as RLS. Whether to take meds for either or both depends on how your limb movements affect your life. RLS can make you miserable, and PLMD frequently causes arousals when you sleep. Your sleep stages could be disrupted without you being aware.

Using cpap helps people whose movements were caused by the struggle to breathe when they have apnea events. Otherwise, you can expect the movements to probably continue.

Having OSA and limb movements issues is a double whammy, and can be tricky to manage as it's hard to know which is making you feel bad and cause daytime sleepiness.

After being on this journey for a whole lot of years, I can only urge you to take everything regarding your sleep very seriously. Your days are only as good as the nights they are built upon.

Kathy

[skits]

Thanks for the comments. All I can say is I love Requip. Totally changed my life. But I am still on the quest. Slept with my new mask last night. Only made it about an hour and a half, (rolled over and got wet, never had that with the FF), but I can tell the difference this morning. If I wouldn't wake up with the mask I might make it all night. I'm conditioned to get annoyed when I wake up, as I've had a year of frustrating sleep. Guess I just have to give it MORE time. (BTW, my sleep study was almost black on the chart on PMLS, and with the requip and ambien I have like a three minute move.) I'm not taking ambien and don't think I need it.

I guess my question was why am I getting the RLS now (cause I'm awake enough?)

Another question: I understand blood pressure can go down with the use of CPAP. If I'm already taking a water pill, how would I know if that aspect is working? I really want to get rid of that pill. I never had high BP until the last year -- in fact, was always told that would never be a problem for me.