HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Diagnosed Restless Leg Syndrome. No Help From Ropinirole HCL, Citalopram Hbr. Difficulty Sleeping. Recommend

I've been diagnosed with restless leg syndrome and taking 1mg tablet of ropinirole HCL 1 hour before bedtime. Legs are seeming to get worse. Doctor recently prescribed 20g of citalopram hbr and just started it. I haven't really slept the last 5 nights. Is there a specialist who I can work with?. This is stressing me so much I'm not sure the citalopram is helping.
Thu, 29 Aug 2013
Report Abuse
General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.

I had gone through your query and understand your concern.

Let me first explain what is Restless leg syndrome. So that you can understand the disease and role of medicine and lifestyle changes.

Restless syndrome is considered as the Sleep disorder. Because it deprives your sleep and impairs your quality of life. Restless leg syndrome may be Genetic or familial or diseases like parkinson's disease can cause RLS. Even some medications cause Restless leg syndrome.

You have been prescribed Ropinirole and Citalopram by your doctor. Because some studies shows that is RLS is caused by an imbalance of dopamine, a chemical that transmits signals between nerve cells in the brain.

But drugs may in some and not in others.
Thus Lifestyle modification is essential to cope up with Restless leg syndrome.
If you are my patient, My advices are
1. Try to make regular sleep schedule and stick to it whatever the work may be.
2. Do Moderate exercise regularly. You can do aerobic exercises, swimming, walking. Keep in mind that heavy exercise can worsen your symptoms and again lead to sleeplessness
3. At any cost avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking. Because many people feel better after quitting this habits.
4. Try yoga and medication. This relaxing techniques will promote your relaxation and alleviate your symptoms.

At times symptoms may worse. I suggest you to try Leg massages and Hot baths or heating pads or ice packs applied to the legs

Hope this helps.
You will definitely feel better after this life style changes.
All the best.

f you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries.

Wishing you good health.

Regards,
Dr.Manjeth.
I find this answer helpful
Addiction Medicine Specialist Dr. Preeti Parakh's  Response
Hi,

If ropinirole is not working, I prefer to try pramipexole in my patients with restless legs syndrome. There are a few other alternatives like levodopa and gabapentin which may be tried if pramipexole doen't work.

I do not feel citalopram will give you much improvement, as it has been known to cause restless legs syndrome in some people.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Leg massage


Loading Online Doctors....
Diagnosed Restless Leg Syndrome. No Help From Ropinirole HCL, Citalopram Hbr. Difficulty Sleeping. Recommend

Hello, Welcome to Healthcaremagic. I had gone through your query and understand your concern. Let me first explain what is Restless leg syndrome. So that you can understand the disease and role of medicine and lifestyle changes. Restless syndrome is considered as the Sleep disorder. Because it deprives your sleep and impairs your quality of life. Restless leg syndrome may be Genetic or familial or diseases like parkinson s disease can cause RLS. Even some medications cause Restless leg syndrome. You have been prescribed Ropinirole and Citalopram by your doctor. Because some studies shows that is RLS is caused by an imbalance of dopamine, a chemical that transmits signals between nerve cells in the brain. But drugs may in some and not in others. Thus Lifestyle modification is essential to cope up with Restless leg syndrome. If you are my patient, My advices are 1. Try to make regular sleep schedule and stick to it whatever the work may be. 2. Do Moderate exercise regularly. You can do aerobic exercises, swimming, walking. Keep in mind that heavy exercise can worsen your symptoms and again lead to sleeplessness 3. At any cost avoid caffeine, alcohol and smoking. Because many people feel better after quitting this habits. 4. Try yoga and medication. This relaxing techniques will promote your relaxation and alleviate your symptoms. At times symptoms may worse. I suggest you to try Leg massages and Hot baths or heating pads or ice packs applied to the legs Hope this helps. You will definitely feel better after this life style changes. All the best. f you have additional questions or follow up queries then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your queries. Wishing you good health. Regards, Dr.Manjeth.