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What Causes Restless Leg Syndrome?

Posted on Tue, 5 May 2015

Question: I am presently being treated for Tr\\Restless Leg Syndrome with Ropinerole. For the past day and a half I have had severe pain in my legs arms neck low back and hands. The Ropinerole does not seem to hap at all. I also take Glucosamine and just need to get some rest. There is not position I can get into that does not result in pain somewhere. I have taken Aleve and that helps a little while. What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer: XXXXXXX dose of ropinirole, add gabapentin , avoid triggers

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

The diagnosis of RLS should be done after the other common causes mimicking similar symptoms are ruled out. Iron deficiency or anemia , Chronic conditions like renal failure, diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and peripheral neuropathy can present as such and need to be ruled out. Such a condition would be termed secondary RLS. Certain antiemetics, antiepileptics, antipsychotic medication use can also exacerbate RLS symptoms. Discuss about these precipitating factors with your treating doctor.

While the precipitating factors are considered Pregabalin or Gabapentin, can be advised in addition to ropinirole . Maximizing the dose of ropinirole would be a good idea to see for improvement of symptoms. Benzodiazepines and opiods can be tried and as a last resort steroid courses can be done.

No single drug is effective for everyone with RLS. What may be helpful to one patient may actually worsen the symptoms in another. Medications taken over long periods may lose their effect due to desensitization. Therefore regular follow up and medicine readjustment (if necessary) will be the key.

Caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco should be avoided. deficiencies in iron, folate, and magnesium should be corrected if found on labs investigations.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Please consult your doctor before taking/ changing any medication

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (48 minutes later)

Are there any OTC things that would help? I am getting NO sleep and need to do something. Besides painful it is really annoying. Thanks for your help.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
OTC products wont be as helpful, try for RELAXIS

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

Though sleep aids like dimenhydrinate are available. They aren't much affective when it comes to RLS. Opioids and benzodiazepines along with gabapentin are much more affective and you can discuss these options with your doctor to give you a prescription for either.

I would like to share some recent information regarding RELAXIS. The FDA has given clearance to a device Relaxis for improvement of sleep quality in RLS patients. Relaxis delivers vibratory counter stimulation to the legs and showed greater improvements in sleep quality in RLS patients.

Let me know if you have any other query

Thanks

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad