Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

He is the southern california specialist. I made an appt with him and am wondering if anyone has experience with him.

It will be so exciting to hear how you get on with Dr B.
When is your appointment?

Next wednesday. I feel like I am cheating on my neurologist!

I have not seen him as a patient but have worked with him on a book project. He is extremely wonderful as a person and I can't imagine him being different as a doctor. He both understands RLS extremely well and cares that we get a good quality of life.

Wow. Did you just make the appointment? And you're already seeing him next week? Let us know how it goes. I may get out to see him yet.

Most of us with RLS of long-standing become “experts” in our own manifestation.

A visit with Dr. B is a good reminder that while we are knowledgeable and savvy we are not professionals. He respects input absolutely, but in my experience, begins as one would with any new patient – assuming nothing and seeking the answers he needs to proceed.

Then and only then the conversation and collaboration begins.
It is a wonderful and productive approach to managing a still mysterious and slippery condition. He is amenable to one’s input and experience. He is willing to adjust over the phone if needed until one finds the regimen that works best, all the while understanding that what works this month may not work next.

For some of us, the journey to his office is long, and the three or four month follow ups difficult to schedule for that reason. But you would not want to overlook the benefit that will come with recharging the doctor-patient collaboration: He knows what questions to ask.

Now – I am so curious about your impresssion, jy.

I had my appointment!!
He was awesome and I feel grateful to have been able to see a professional who is so empathic to my condition and so KNOWLEDGEABLE! He has so much experience treating this condition and really knows his stuff. He told me I was a 5-6 on the scale of severity with patients he sees but I fit classically into the diagnosis. He told me the meds that were a waste of my time (in particular baclofen, sinemet and to a large degree klonopin). He wants to get me on the lowest dose of cymbalta I can get away with without compromising my depression (or lack thereof) and add wellbutrin for depression coverage. He said to up my dose to 1.5-2 mgs of requip all at the same time each night. And he added tramadol as he knows my addiction history. He said that if the time comes for a stronger narcotic he would like my boyfriend to come in also so he will be able to support me in my med management. He said he has a 95-98% success rate with making this manageable and ME MORE COMFORTABLE and I CRIED!! I feel hopeful and relieved and it was a great experience!

I am so happy this worked out for you.
To get to see the great Dr B. that is awesome, and particularly so that you found him to be all that we hoped for.

Good luck with your change of meds and please let us know how your first few nights work out with regard to your symptoms.

Oh, how wonderful, to find someone who understand, cares and will take control of your medications. That is awesome!! I wish you the very best.

How far away are you from his office?

Dale

It's a great feeling when you get a doctor like him, isn't it? We go through so much already....it seems like it shouldn't be asking for much.

Glad you got the guidance you needed

Ahhhhh
I slept good

Ahhhhhh
So much more comfortable!

So glad for you, jy.

That's why they're called the healing "arts." (It must mean a good doctor should be called a healing "artist!")

Good to see the meds are working out for you now.. I'm guessing the Tramadol has helped a bit?