I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Sugarlump on June 07, 2013, 12:03:44 PM
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Anybody successfully treated this annoying condition?
I get it bad on dialysis after the first hour or so and sometimes at night, can't sleep and find myself roaming the house restlessly :(
My iron stores and hemoglobin levels are both quite low and I understand this can be a factor, but one I have had for quite awhile whereas the restless legs
are quite new and very annoying!
:Kit n Stik; :Kit n Stik; :Kit n Stik;
I have quinine sulphate tabs (for leg cramps) don't know if that will help at all?
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Not getting enough dialysis treatment (even if your blood work is "adequate") can cause RLS. Try increasing your run time by 30 minutes per treatment if currently less than 4 hours.
A study was done showing those who do daily hemodialysis (NxStage) suffer less from RLS:
http://cjasn.asnjournals.org/content/early/2011/03/17/CJN.10451110.abstract
Another study showed that Biotin deficiency could play a role as well:
http://www.docguide.com/restless-legs-syndrome-could-indicate-biotin-deficiencies-patients-dialysis
Some patients have gotten relief by taking Mirapex (pramipexole dihydrochloride). Ask your nephrologist. However, it will only be treating the symptoms of RLS, not the cause.
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I had RLS for years even before I had to start dialysis. Of course most doctors these days only want to treat the symptoms and don't always dig too deep if the patient isn't quite assertive. I had no idea it was a sign of kidney failure. Once my ESRD was diagnosed my first neph (one of a few good doctors I've had) said it should have been obvious. But of course he's tuned into renal issues and probably to him EVERYTHING looks like kidney failure. :P
But anyways...I've been taking Mirapex (pramipexole dihydrochloride) and it really does help with the RLS. For me it's worse when my legs are up such as in an easy chair or in bed. That's when the real cramps start! Since being on dialysis it's gotten a bit worse but the Mirapex and some other muscle relaxer I take at bedtime (sorry I can't think of it's name) help a lot.
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My husband had RLS when he was on PD - when he wasn't meeting adequacy it was definitely worse, as it was when his iron and hemoglobin were low. He found klonopin worked best for RLS. And then one day as suddenly as the RLS appeared, it went away. No rhyme or reason as his labs were consistently inadequate. Good luck, I remember there were nights at 2 am he'd go out walking because he just couldn't sit still.
Oh, have you had any medication changes recently? I know that may have been a factor for him too, but he had so many of the likely causes that it was hard to narrow down the culprit.
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Blokey was prescribed clonazepam for his RLS (coupled with his insomnia) when he was on haemoD and it worked a treat.
;D
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...clonazepam...
That's the other drug I take along with Mirapex for RLS. In my post above I couldn't remember what it was called. Here in the US it's considered a "controlled" subsrance so the pharmacist watches very closely how many I take. The Mirapex and Clonazepam together seem to work much better for me than either one alone.
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The dermatologist has took me off the steroids at last (as they weren't working) so hopefully my insomnia/restless legs/cup of tea at 3am syndrome will start to improve...
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I am trying out Gatorade. Drink about 3/4 of a cup before bedtime. Only on my 4th day and so far, so good. I have not had any muscle spasms or cramps at all.
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That's very interesting
Can I buy that in England or do we have an equivalent?
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Gosh sugarlump, I don't know. I would think, probably under another name, because it is for athletes ( lol). All the supermarkets here carry it and it is very cheap. Like 99cents a quart. It is supposed to replace electrolytes.
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There are various sports type drinks on the market though I worry slightly in case they are high in potassium? which is something athletes need to replenish but not kidney patients ::)
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I know. I did read the label and did not see anything like potassium listed.
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Please check your label again. When I look online the labels all have Potassium on the list.
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monopotassium phosphate?
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The company that makes it should be able to quote you a potassium per 100ml figure.
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Okay I will give it a try and get back to you!!
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^
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Thank you Noah.
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Keep me posted Jean on how well it is working with regards restless legs/cramp...
I am going to look for an english equivalent!
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I will.