PLMD and Requip/Magnesium HELP!!

[MadDogz]

Hi All,

One of the things discovered in my sleep study that is just getting addressed is Periodic Limb (not Leg) Movement Disorder (or Syndrome) (PLMD/PLMS). My PLMD index was 22 - meaning that I had 22 qualifying events every hour.

CPAP, or rather, APAP, is helping immensely with everything else, but leg/lower back muscle soreness persists. It only takes a few minutes of physical activity for those muscles to become very sore and very tired. This is not good for a person who's job (archaeologist) requires physical activity. I have been spending a lot of time in the office writing reports, which is good because I do not think I am capable of doing field work right now.

Anyway, my Dr. wanted to put me on Requip, but I checked on the prices and asked for something a little cheaper because I don't have insurance. She put me on Sinamet CR. I took it last night for the first and last time. I then called her back and asked for the Requip - I'd rather deal with the price of that than the side effects from Sinamet. It was bad - all of my muscles were sore this morning, rather than just my leg muscles. It also caused some insomnia, even though I take sleeping pills, and a morning headache, which I have not had since I started CPAP. It also made me feel like I needed to stretch my muscles really bad, which may account all of the soreness.

To get to the point, I have read a lot of posts here about meds for PLMD, including Requip and magnesium. What I would like to know is if you are taking Requip, what is the dosage you are on and how long do you think it took to help? As far as magnesium goes, when should that be taken for the best effectiveness? And how long does that take to help?

If I have to take another prescription med, I want it to be the lowest dose possible. If magnesium would work, I would rather take that.

Any help/information from anyone would be greatly appreciated. I gotta get the PLMD under control before I lose my job!

Terri

[kteague]

Hi Terri. Since you want to explore nonprescription options first, please don't bypass getting your Ferritin level checked. Although the normal range for most people can be lower, for persons with our type of movement disorders, your Ferritin level should be >50. And since you've read the other postings, I just want to co-sign the point of having a normal CBC does NOT mean your Ferritin level is normal, particularly for your purposes. Between that and the magnesium, I do hope you can avoid the path I took. And while you're working this all out, caffeine will make the movements worse. Some antidepressants are said to make them worse also, as well as an ingredient in cold meds, maybe the one for cough, I forget. There are some major sleep sites that deal with PLMD in great depth. Just keep in mind when researching solutions to go to the sites of reputable sleep centers or universities and see what they are saying about magnesium, etc. Don't build a therapy around sales marketing. Please repost later on, I'd love to hear what you find to work for you.
Kathy

[MadDogz]

Kathy, thanks for the reply.

I think I will have my ferrin level checked - it sounds plausible that I would have a mineral deficiency. However, last night I took my first dose of Requip and it was very nice. The best way for me to describe it is that my body felt 'quiet'. I don't know if that makes sense or not. I take anti-depressants for serotonin and norepinephrine imbalances, so it is also possible that I have a dopamine imbalance, which the Requip would address. If anti-depressants make PLMD worse, then I'm going to have to find a way around that because I CANNOT stop taking the anti-depressants.

I am a scientist and very analytical and will wade through everything to find the solution that works best for me. I don't fall for sales pitches and marketing crap - I gather as much information as I possibly can and make decisions from there!

As for caffeine - for years I had been drinking tons of Coke in an effort to stay awake, but took my last drink almost a week ago. I have had zero caffeine since then. I've just been drinking water with Crystal Light - recommended by my Dr, since plain water doesn't hold much appeal for me. I have also not experienced the withdrawl symptoms that most people do. I had a headache for a day or two, but that was it. I actually feel more alert - probably from the reduced sugar intake, and of course, CPAP. Muscle soreness from PLMD is the only thing that still persists.

I really appreciate your input and will try to remember to keep you updated on my progress!!

Thanks,
Terri

[sleepyred]

Yes - get that ferritin checked! I had a level of 12 it went up to 30 after 3 months of Slo-fe, had heavy periods, had an ablation and my level still dropped down to 22. So I went in today for the "dreaded colonoscopy" (had prior surgery so I was due for one anyway) to make sure there was no bleeding there. Good report!, so I'll have to keep up my iron (slo-fe) taking it with orange juice, eat a better diet and try to get that iron level up! My doc says over 60 for my ferritin! I have a way to go, but I had to go off my iron for 1 week prior to today's procedure and my legs went nuts every night!

Have you tried Klonopin? I have an inner ear disorder and this helps my RLS and dizziness. I do not have any hangover effects and it is a cheap med. It is highly addictive, but it works well for me. That is the only thing that got me though the night without my iron tablets. I hope to go off the Klonopin (if my ears are okay with that) when my iron reaches the correct levels.

Another thing just to throw out - have you had your thyroid checked? A high TSH level I've read can cause a "heavy leg" feeling. Just another thought.

Good luck and hope this helps!

[MadDogz]

Thanks for the reply Sleepyred.

I have had my thryroid checked and all is well there. As far as Klonipin goes, I've been on similar meds in the past for other things and I didn't really like it. I probably already have an addiction to the sleeping pills I have been on for 10 years (yes, 10 years!).

I'm gonna call my Dr. right now and see when I can get some blood drawn for the ferrin test.

Thanks!
Terri

[sleepyred]

Not to be nosey, but I'd ask for your TSH level. Mine was 1.5 (range okay) and it jumped to 3.6 in one year. The high level is over 5. They are watching mine every 3 months. Just a thought. No one noticed the jump but me. I always try to get a copy of all blood work to keep for my records. I think they say docs have less than 3 minutes to look at your records and do not notice most things unless they are "flagged" by the lab.

[MadDogz]

Good suggestion. I will ask for that when I call about the ferrin test.

[MadDogz]

I just called my Dr's office.

My TSH level is .82 - I guess that's good?

I am scheduled to have blood drawn this afternoon for the ferrin test. They called it feratin - is that the same thing?

[MadDogz]

After a quick search I have found out that it is ferritin, not ferrin. I love it when I learn new things!!

[sleepyred]

My lab says normal ranges for TSH are:

0.350-5.500

Mine just made a funny 2 pt. jump. you'd have to look at your lab's ranges because they do differ.

It looks like .82 would be normal in my lab. Would not hurt to ask your doc! Don't forget to get a copy sent to you or just pick it up! Always good to have your own records!

Before they put me "under" for my procedure this a.m. - they asked if I wanted the full report - "YES!" I even got a pic of my appendix. Kinda of like an ultrasound picture - "What is THAT?" funny!

[Guest]

drop those pills your taking into a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and pure water for 40-minutes, if they are not completely dissolved in that amount of time you are wasting your time with that supplement.

[MadDogz]

"Guest"

To what pills and supplements do you refer? Have you actually ready the posts in this thread? I believe that anyone that has posted to this thread that is taking 'pills' and 'supplements' is doing so under the care of a physician. If you really have something to say, please do so more clearly. Better yet, register for a user name instead of hiding behind 'guest'.

Pissed Off Terri

[sleepyred]

Thank you Terri - you go girl! I was pondering how to respond! You said it!

[Sleepless on LI]

Hi, Terri. I know exactly what you're saying about the body feeling calm. I have been taking Requip for months now. I had 14+ per hour PLMs on my sleep study. I find Requip wonderful. No side effects and actually helps me to feel groggy at bedtime if I'm not. Since being on therapy, I am not always tired when bedtime comes. This makes me feel sleepy enough to easily drift off about 15-30 mins. after taking it, yet not so tired that if I have to stay up, I can't. I've never had any feeling of RLS/PLMs since I've been on it and I don't feel drowsy enough the next day to stop taking it, as it's been said to affect some people that way.

I had a starter pack given to me by my doctor to get going. It gradually increased the dosage until I was on 1 mg. per night (a small green tablet). I think it was 2 or 3 days on .25, one week or 10 days on .5 and then finally the boost up to 1 mg. Like I said, it's been months, no my timing might be off on how many days at each level. I have used Klonopin, which definitely knocks me out and makes me exhausted the next day, but have not tried anything else. I know everyone reacts differently to meds., but I have had no problems taking the Requip at all and nothing but positive reactions to it. Hope you continue to have the same.

[kteague]

Ok, here I go .... Sometimes I feel like a battleaxe, other times the voice of reason. This time I'll risk being the sucker, but I'm thinking our guest was sincere in offering a helpful hint. Hold the boos and hisses a minute and hear me out, please. There is a lacking of regulation and/or enforcement in the realm of supplements, and we have talked a lot in this forum about magnesium, iron, and something called Neurosil for PLMD and RLS. My memory is pricked about a time my mother was given a generic substitute of a prescribed medication, and she thought nothing of it. Her symptoms spiraled seemingly out of control. When her doc found out she was taking the generic pills, he said that there had been problems with that particular product. Its delivery system was flawed, and did not dissolve, thus wasn't absorbed by her body. Chunks of it actually came out in her stool. It doesn't matter if the active ingredients are indeed in the pills if they are unable to make it into your system. Could this have been our guest's message?
Kathy