[QUOTE=Ambivalid in response to a mention of Quinine]
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Knowing full well how torturous restless legs can be, I’d say consider it. The big drawback to the medication is that it is a narcotic-despite being categorized by the FDA as a non-narcotic due to a molecular structure technicality of the drug-and as such carries the dependence and addiction risks of an opiate.
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Um wait, quinine? narcotic-like??? Are you confusing it with Ultram mentioned in another post? (rereading: you probably WERE referring to tramadol, just the way the quotes showed up it wasn’t clear)
Ultram (tramadol) yes, classified as non-narcotic though it works in a similar manner and has some risks of dependency (more than they originally thought, anyway).
Until I saw that you mentioned having sensation in your legs, I thought maybe you meant that you’re one of the “lucky” ones who has RLS symptoms in your arms as well. I’m cringing on your behalf, anyway - the thought of having RLS, and not being ABLE to move to relieve the sensation, sounds like a special place in Hell :(. I’m on an RLS list and we all joke about chopping off our legs, then finding that we’re experiencing phantom-limb symptoms.
Cite please? Quinine has been pretty well debunked as having any effect on RLS; some people still suggest trying under the misconception that RLS is a form of leg cramps (it isn’t).
Mirapex (pramipexole) and Requip (ropinirole) are both dopamine agonists (DAs) and for many are the first-line treatment for RLS. Neurontin and Horizant are also used (gabapentin and its prodrug) and I know people who have gotten some help from them; in fact my sleep specialists now use them as first-line in many people because the DAs have their own issues (including loss of effectiveness).
Narcotics (real and pseudo, i.e. Ultram) also have their place but aren’t first-line because of the dependency issues.
And benzos (clonazepam/Klonopin etc.) are indeed used, but my understanding is that they make you sleep despite the twitchies.
And there are a lot of aggravators, which you need to avoid. Being overtired. Some medications. Caffeine. On the “overtired”: in addition to RLS, I have excessive daytime sleepiness (tired/sleepy no matter how much sleep I get). My legs will be twitchy during the day if I’m sleepy enough - but when I take my wakefulness medication, they settle right down.
