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Fava beans

Posted , 6 users are following.

ratfancy
ratfancy

So interesting - my father died from Parkinson's and clearly I have a dopamine-related issue in my RLS.  I also cannot lose weight because even after I eat, I am hungry.  The unusual and difficult to satisfy appetite keeps me above my normal BMI and will power does not seem to be the answer.  I eat a good diet because I have a B.S. in Clinical Nutrition.  So I know what to do - just can't do it.  I've been reading a lot about dopamine, and now I think I might try having fava beans for breakfast, like my Saudi roommate used to do when I was young.  Mash them up wiith olive oil and lemon and eat with pita bread.  Very healthful.  The fava beans contain levadopa in some quantity.  Anyone tried? 

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Dimity67
    Dimity67 ratfancy

    Posted

    Have not tried this but it sounds interesting. RLS runs in our family (forgive the pun!) and I take Zolpidem sleeping tablets which help a little but if it's severe absolutely nothing works. My triggers seem to be hot weather, harder physical exercise, sugar and coffee. A freezing cold bed in winter and no gardening and it almost disappears. Such a weird complaint, have found that Doctors really don't understand how depressing and debilitating this condition can be. Please let us know if the fave beans help. 
  • Dimity67
    Dimity67 ratfancy

    Posted

    I have just found out that fava beans are broad beans! Have some in the freezer and will give them a whirl.
  • joan44703
    joan44703 ratfancy

    Posted

    Can you tell me pse where you get Fava beans from, I am at my computer at 4.30 am in agony, seems like RLS is affecting my whole body, been on reponirole, premepaxole and now on rotigtine 3 mgm patches and taking a magnesium supplement, now they don't work anymore,Am at my wits end with this ilness

    My GP not helpful at all. asked to be reffered back to my neurologist but he won't do this. Anybody out there with any suggestions would be very welcome. I hate this illness as all of you do, long be rid of RLS

    • ratfancy
      ratfancy joan44703

      Posted

      I get fresh fava beans at Target - however, I find that codeine is the most helpful.  Ask your doctor for codeine without tylenol - cheap and works!
    • joan44703
      joan44703 ratfancy

      Posted

      could you give me more info on these beans,when you take them, how many and I don't know of a place at Target to get them from please

      Thanks Joan

       

    • ratfancy
      ratfancy joan44703

      Posted

      Joan - I think you have to eat a lot of fava beans to get enough levodopa.  Canned won't work, but if you can find them dry and cook them yourself, that might work.  My Target has the fresh green ones (imported from France) by the fancy cheeses in the refrigerator area.  I so feel your pain - RLS is just the worst!  
    • Boomiesmom
      Boomiesmom ratfancy

      Posted

      I've been upped to 300 mg of Gabapentin about late afternoon and another 3 or 400 a few hours later.  I went off Requip as I augmented and then had to add small amounts back in after a couple of weeks as gabapentin alone didn't work.  When above doesn't work I move on to Norco.  5 or 7 1/2 mg.  Tylenol and codeine used to help stop the pain and "jumpiness " quite well.  But no more. Seems everything augments, so frustrating.  Gab.  Did the trick for a few months but I have to increase before long.  Strange thing.  100 mg caps are fine-even if I have to take 3 or 4.  But taking 300 mg caps I have bad reaction.  Happened twice. - agitation, disorientation, depression.  Don't know what's in the 300 caps but no way will I take it again.
    • phazie
      phazie joan44703

      Posted

      Hi Joan, I have been trying to find fava beans at the supermarkets but none have them. I will try Target today but I wanted to answer your request for a referral to your neurologist. I don't know where you live but in the USA if you have been to your specialist you should be able to call for a follow up appt. and if that doesn't work, ask your insurance for a patient advocate. Your Doctor has to comply if what he has tried isn't working. Or request another GP.  Don't stay with a doctor who isn't  willing to help you. 
    • joan44703
      joan44703 phazie

      Posted

      Thank you for that phazie. Spoke to my Doctor 2 weeks ago, again he refused my request, but I stood my ground and said I was diagnosed with RLS seven years ago and surely better medication might be available now. Arriving home from a holiday a letter was waiting for me from The Walton Centre Liverpool asking me to ring for an appointment which I did, I have one for 6th November, so he obviously listened to me! Not one of the seven Doctors at my Surgery know anything about RLS. More awareness of this debilating illness needs to be made. So glad I joined this group helps tremendously knowing you are not alone and the help we give to oneanother is good!

      Joan

  • phazie
    phazie ratfancy

    Posted

    Hi, I would like to know if you are doing better and if eating the fava beans helped at all. When I take the many pills they give me at bedtime my rls is worse for 1 to 2 hours. I woukd love  to find  some way to havecthem calmer  in the hours before midmight.
  • jakba2003
    jakba2003 ratfancy

    Posted

    Hey guys!

    In stumbled across this forum and decided I wanted to keep in touch with people who know what I am suffering with. I ha e had RLS for years but was finally diagnosed 3 years ago. I went through rapinerol and gabapentin. Aweful augmentation. I finally went to see Dr Buchfuhrer in LA. He is arrogant as hell but the only renown RLS specialist I know of. He prescribed Methadone and said he has done extensive research and Methadone is the only thing that will help severe cases. If you're on rapinerol, I feel so sorry for you. I was ready to slit my wrists when on that stuff. I'm really curious to know if Fava beans help. I'm gonna try getting of Methadone because my legs have been in total control for a year now. I'm thinking to try Fava and potassium/magnesium supplement.Any suggestions?

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