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Allen Trubitt:  I have been on Sinemet for l7 months and have had restless
leg syndrome for many years before PD.  I had mild leg cramps which got
progressively worse about a year ago.  Lately it is awful.  I tried muscle
relaxants, anti-seizure drugs, all the health food nostrums for leg cramps,
quinine, all the drugstore analgesics, message therapy, hot baths, cold
packs, exercise, rest.  I was going to try acupuncture but heard from others
with severe leg cramps that didn't work.
 
I read a  study in Sleep journal that oxycodone (synthetic codeine) l5 mg
taken at bedtime works.  It did for me but my knees were rubbery all next
day.  Less dose didn't work.  I then tried 5 - 10 mg oxycodene and 50/200
Sinemet CR at bedtime and slept cramp free for 6-7 hours.  I usually take
about a total of 500 mg Sinemet in 24 hours.  I don't like to take that much
but I  couldn't live with those horrible leg pains.
 
Some people have luck adding either Permax (pergolide) or Parlodel
(bromocriptine), which are dopamine agonists, and cutting down on Sinemet.  I
can't take drugs with ergot in them as I get visual problems (blue light
sparklers).
 
Not many doctors (neurologists included) know much if anything about RLS and
PD combined.  Sometimes a specialist in sleep disorders can help.......
 
Good luck,
Barbara Yacos, RN
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