Re: RLS/Healthology Program

[Guest guest]

Betty

I thought the Insomnia program was very well done. All three speakers

are experts in sleep medicine. RLS was discussed but at a superficial

level. One comment was that it is unusual for RLS patients to develop

tolerance to benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin. (I know that some

of the group do not agree with that statement.) One of the physicians

mentioned several " new and exciting " agents besides anti-epileptics and

Parkinsonian drugs. I E-mailed him asking for the names of these drugs.

Unfortunately, the question was answered by one of the other docs who

mentioned pergolide and pramipexole (Permax and Mirapex). I have written

to the first doc asking him for the names of the new drugs and will pass

the info on as soon as I receive it, if I do. They may still be

experimental and unavailable, but at least it would be nice to know what

they are for future reference.

The entire show is available at Healthology.com on RealAudio. Facilities

are at the site to obtain a copy of the needed software (at no cost).

Several of the text articles at the site about sleep and sleep

abnormalities are well worth reading and are well done. Not much on RLS.

I think that this group is probably as well educated about RLS as any in

the country and knows more about RLS than most physicians.

Happy holidays.

Dr. Levin

[Guest guest]

Betty

I thought the Insomnia program was very well done. All three speakers

are experts in sleep medicine. RLS was discussed but at a superficial

level. One comment was that it is unusual for RLS patients to develop

tolerance to benzodiazepines like Xanax and Klonopin. (I know that some

of the group do not agree with that statement.) One of the physicians

mentioned several " new and exciting " agents besides anti-epileptics and

Parkinsonian drugs. I E-mailed him asking for the names of these drugs.

Unfortunately, the question was answered by one of the other docs who

mentioned pergolide and pramipexole (Permax and Mirapex). I have written

to the first doc asking him for the names of the new drugs and will pass

the info on as soon as I receive it, if I do. They may still be

experimental and unavailable, but at least it would be nice to know what

they are for future reference.

The entire show is available at Healthology.com on RealAudio. Facilities

are at the site to obtain a copy of the needed software (at no cost).

Several of the text articles at the site about sleep and sleep

abnormalities are well worth reading and are well done. Not much on RLS.

I think that this group is probably as well educated about RLS as any in

the country and knows more about RLS than most physicians.

Happy holidays.

Dr. Levin

[Guest guest]

, you wrote:

>

>

>To all:

>

>During the Healthology program on Insomnia, Dr. Doghramji, of Jefferson

>Hospital in Philadelphia, mentioned that there were new and promising

>treatments for RLS in addition to the anticonvulsants and dopaminergics.

>I E-mailed the program during the show and asked what they were.

>Unfortunately, Dr. Thorpy fielded the question and added nothing new.

>Dr. Doghramji remained silent. I told you that I was going to try and

>find out what he was referring to. After two letters to him, I received

>an answer this AM stating that he never made such a statement. To insure

>that I hadn't lost it (my mind), I went back to the tape and there it is

>just as I recalled it, in an answer to a question by BJ about Xanax and

>RLS. A major disappointment. Sorry to have gotten your hopes up and mine

>too.

>___________________________________

Hi Dr. Levin!

BJ here! The nite that program was aired, i got so tired of answers that were so

repetitious, that i quit listening! I had no clue they ever got to MY e-mail

question!! I am < curious as to their exact reply! Can you repeat it

verbatum for me? (and possibly others on Xanax......which from my 'personal'

e-mail replies, are numerous.

Thank you in advance!

Betty

>

0000,0000,ffff

BJN

bjcanuck@...

[Guest guest]

, you wrote:

>

>

>To all:

>

>During the Healthology program on Insomnia, Dr. Doghramji, of Jefferson

>Hospital in Philadelphia, mentioned that there were new and promising

>treatments for RLS in addition to the anticonvulsants and dopaminergics.

>I E-mailed the program during the show and asked what they were.

>Unfortunately, Dr. Thorpy fielded the question and added nothing new.

>Dr. Doghramji remained silent. I told you that I was going to try and

>find out what he was referring to. After two letters to him, I received

>an answer this AM stating that he never made such a statement. To insure

>that I hadn't lost it (my mind), I went back to the tape and there it is

>just as I recalled it, in an answer to a question by BJ about Xanax and

>RLS. A major disappointment. Sorry to have gotten your hopes up and mine

>too.

>___________________________________

Hi Dr. Levin!

BJ here! The nite that program was aired, i got so tired of answers that were so

repetitious, that i quit listening! I had no clue they ever got to MY e-mail

question!! I am < curious as to their exact reply! Can you repeat it

verbatum for me? (and possibly others on Xanax......which from my 'personal'

e-mail replies, are numerous.

Thank you in advance!

Betty

>

0000,0000,ffff

BJN

bjcanuck@...

[Guest guest]

________________

> Hi Dr. Levin!

> BJ here! The nite that program was aired, i got so tired of answers that were

so repetitious, that i quit listening! I had no clue they ever got to MY e-mail

question!! I am curious as to their exact reply! Can you repeat it

verbatum for me? (and possibly others on Xanax......which from my 'personal'

e-mail replies, are numerous.

> Thank you in advance!

> Betty

>

> >

>

Hi BJ

It's a long answer, Betty. Go to Healthology.com, click on the live

broadcast about Insomnia and set your RealAudio tape setting to 46:45

with the fast forward. (upper right of screen or Control-right arrow).

Your E-mail is at that point +/-. There is some new material about

sleep (non-RLS) and parasomnias that is pretty good (text).

Have fun.

Dr. Levin