I decided to start .25 initial dose of Requip last night b/c I just can't take it anymore (was trying to modify diet, increase iron etc)
Biggest fear was weight gain/augmentation which I'd read so much about on these boards. So after one lousy small dose last night, I could eat anything that isn't nailed down. The only time I was ever this ravenous in my life was when I was preggo with my twins (who were born at 8.5 lbs EACH!!!)
So I am trying to control myself and will attempt 'constant motion/healthy snacking' to keep the weight from coming on. After gaining & losing 85# with my twins within 18 mos, I do not want to pack it back on! Generally speaking I have very little discipline so this will not be easy.
Here is my main gripe. I know opiates work for me. That was how I coped with this beast on & off for the past 13 or so years. When I first realized I had RLS, my family doc prescribed Tylenol #3 for me, for about a year. Then he just decided he wasn't comfortable doing this anymore (I hadn't increased my dose or abused in any way) So I gave up and tried various natural methods on my own.
Then just took opiates as I was able to get them. A couple c-sections, back injury, relatives' leftovers (sorry, just being honest), but ONLY before bed, lowest dose to control the RLS. Rationed/stretched them out for as long as I could.
I will not subject myself to the humiliation of asking my doc for this line of treatment, which for me works perfectly with no ill side effects AND can just take as needed, not every day like this Requip. At least in my geographical area, I would get a suspicious sideways glare from the doc and be made to feel like a criminal. Followed by no respect from doc if I continue to see same one (and the guy I'm seeing seems great).
Sorry to ramble, I am just SOOO frustrated. I predict I'll need to increase the dose, which will make me hungrier, and like I said I have little self-discipline to begin with. Maybe I should start training for a triathalon to counteract the inevitable weight gain (joke...I once sprained my ankle just power walking!!!)
Thank you to all you wonderful people on this board for your understanding and empathy. Really, no on else gets it--even tho my mom and hubby try to. This is an isolating and sometimes demoralizing condition.
Warmest regards-
Meg
Requip hunger/frustration/opiates vent
Oh Meg please do not apologize for rambling on as you did not. We learn from each other and hope that things get better for you.
It is so true until they walk a mile in your shoes they do not know what you are going through.
I thank God each and everyday for this site as they have save me more times then I want to admit. I am doing fine and hope that it continues.
Have a great day and keep us posted on how you are doing.
It is so true until they walk a mile in your shoes they do not know what you are going through.
I thank God each and everyday for this site as they have save me more times then I want to admit. I am doing fine and hope that it continues.
Have a great day and keep us posted on how you are doing.
Charlene
Taking one day at a time
Taking one day at a time
Meg, Sorry you are having a rough go getting the treatment you need. I know it frustrating getting docs to understand is difficult. But, not knowing you situation completely, I don't think there is any humiliation in advocating for yourself with respect to your needs. I hope you will have future success in establishing a good regimen for your rls. Is sinemet an option? That also can be taken on an as needed basis as long as you do not need it more than several times a week or so (augmentation issue). Faster acting also. Just a thought.
Best wishes.
M.
Best wishes.
M.
This post simply reflects opinion. Quantities are limited while supplies last. Some assembly required.
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ViewsAskew
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While it can take LOTS longer than cutting to the chase, often "playing" by the doctor's rules can eventually get you what you want and need, and the way you'd prefer it.
There is NO lack of evidence of the DAs causing binges: alcohol, gambling, food, sex, whatever that particular brain associates with that dopamine rush.
Maybe start a journal. Explain how careful you were and how eating has always been difficult. Show him the journal of each time you went for food unconciously. For me, sometimes it would be 20 times in an hour. I'd say no 19, but not the 20th. I didn't say anything to the doctor, though.
You can. After just 3-5 pounds in a few weeks, you can show him that this just isn't the drug for you.
If I understood you correctly, you also said that you don't need a drug everyday. You can stress that, too. Say that you'd really rather have something you can take as needed. Ask him to tell you what the algorighm suggests.
Either you'll find a different drug that works for you in this process, or you'll eventually get to opioids, lol, because they are on the list and your doc wrote an article about the long term use of them (see your PM). And, then you'll both win: you get what works and he feels like you didn't undermine his good doctor status.
Oh, one thing I've learned - it's great to know stuff, but better to suggest the knowing. Lemme esplain (as Desi would say). I've learned that many people are threatened when you state knowledge. But they get to save the day when you only know PART of something. So, you can say something like, "I think I remember reading about this thing. An, um, what was the word? Oh, an algorithm?"
That gives him an opening to explain it...and then he's sort of bound to use it. Sort of sneaky, but....
This works with anything, really. It works great for me lately because I have no brain...no memory...no recall...so I can do it and I'm not acting!
There is NO lack of evidence of the DAs causing binges: alcohol, gambling, food, sex, whatever that particular brain associates with that dopamine rush.
Maybe start a journal. Explain how careful you were and how eating has always been difficult. Show him the journal of each time you went for food unconciously. For me, sometimes it would be 20 times in an hour. I'd say no 19, but not the 20th. I didn't say anything to the doctor, though.
You can. After just 3-5 pounds in a few weeks, you can show him that this just isn't the drug for you.
If I understood you correctly, you also said that you don't need a drug everyday. You can stress that, too. Say that you'd really rather have something you can take as needed. Ask him to tell you what the algorighm suggests.
Either you'll find a different drug that works for you in this process, or you'll eventually get to opioids, lol, because they are on the list and your doc wrote an article about the long term use of them (see your PM). And, then you'll both win: you get what works and he feels like you didn't undermine his good doctor status.
Oh, one thing I've learned - it's great to know stuff, but better to suggest the knowing. Lemme esplain (as Desi would say). I've learned that many people are threatened when you state knowledge. But they get to save the day when you only know PART of something. So, you can say something like, "I think I remember reading about this thing. An, um, what was the word? Oh, an algorithm?"
That gives him an opening to explain it...and then he's sort of bound to use it. Sort of sneaky, but....
This works with anything, really. It works great for me lately because I have no brain...no memory...no recall...so I can do it and I'm not acting!
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
As a side note, opioids can also cause weight gain in a way.
I get the munchies on pretty much every form of them. I also have severe reflux and cannot eat at night, so it's lucky for me that these munchies come when I don't allow myself to eat. Frustrating, but lucky. Otherwise I'd be putting on a pound a week. (It's probably a good thing I don't smoke pot.
)
There's also the issue of becoming more sedentary on opioids, but at the rate you talk about, I wouldn't think that would be an issue.
I get the munchies on pretty much every form of them. I also have severe reflux and cannot eat at night, so it's lucky for me that these munchies come when I don't allow myself to eat. Frustrating, but lucky. Otherwise I'd be putting on a pound a week. (It's probably a good thing I don't smoke pot.
)
There's also the issue of becoming more sedentary on opioids, but at the rate you talk about, I wouldn't think that would be an issue.
Disclaimer: I often talk about what I do and what works for me, but these are specific to me and you should always consult a healthcare professional before trying these things yourself, lest you endanger your health or life.
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SquirmingSusan
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Meg, so sorry you are going through this. Sadly, many of us here DO totally understand your frustration. It's a tough place to be. Have you tried pointing out the medication options in the Mayo Clinic Algorithm? Or perhaps you might have better luck with a sleep specialist? I know it's a pain to look for new doctors, but if they won't prescribe what you need, there's really no point to paying them for their services.
Last summer I started going to a doctor that I had gone to years ago, and who had delivered my first child. He is wonderful. He will listen and spend much more time than what was allotted by the schedule. Very understanding and warm. But he was honest - he just doesn't EVER prescribe controlled substances because of the fear of losing his license.
Much as I like him, I had to keep looking. Sometimes I need diazepam for my inner ear disorder, and I'm not going to the ER every time I have a vertigo attack. I want the meds in the house, even if I only use them once or twice a year.
I wish you the best with it. It's really hard when you know what works for you and the doctors are weird about prescribing it.
Last summer I started going to a doctor that I had gone to years ago, and who had delivered my first child. He is wonderful. He will listen and spend much more time than what was allotted by the schedule. Very understanding and warm. But he was honest - he just doesn't EVER prescribe controlled substances because of the fear of losing his license.
Much as I like him, I had to keep looking. Sometimes I need diazepam for my inner ear disorder, and I'm not going to the ER every time I have a vertigo attack. I want the meds in the house, even if I only use them once or twice a year.
I wish you the best with it. It's really hard when you know what works for you and the doctors are weird about prescribing it.
Susan
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Walking After Midnight
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Re: Requip hunger/frustration/opiates vent
pedrime wrote: The only time I was ever this ravenous in my life was when I was preggo with my twins (who were born at 8.5 lbs EACH!!!)
OH MY GOSH!
