Drugs for RLS (runner has problems)

So Well · Post by **So Well** » Wed May 12, 2010 8:36 am

What are the good drugs for a mild case of RLS? What are the side effects? Do they distort sleep architecture?

Due to a minor injury, I temporarily stopped my running routine 10 days ago. I thought without exercise my sleep would become worse. It has gotten better and I feel sure it is because my legs are not as uncomfortable at night as when I run. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Wed May 12, 2010 3:11 pm

It's interesting that your legs are worse with running. Some of the studies I've read suggests that strenuous exercise helps RLS (and PLMD). Makes me wonder if the running is depleting something nutritional. I take a Calcium Magnesium Zinc combo as well as Rx Potassium. Can't say that it helps as I'm on meds too, but my legs aren't as miserable as they have been at other times. Have you had your ferritin level checked? There's still some debate about how helpful getting the ferritin level up really is, but I don't think there's any debate on a high incidence of RLS sufferers having iron issues. My sleep doc recommends warm foot soaks (or warm bath) at night, and it seems to help me. Also, some meds can cause or exacerbate RLS, so it pays to check that out. Caffeine and some cold meds make mine worse.

Seems Requip (Ropinerole) is the "drug of choice" these days. I read on here some saying they take it with no side effects. Wish I could say the same. Don't know how anyone could predetermine which group they'll be in. Mirapex is another popular one. They are both dopamine agonists. Sinemet is a replacement drug used mostly when agonists no longer work. When one must take a prescribed med to get their legs quiet enough to sleep, it is what it is. I think one would do well to try everything else first.

So Well · Post by **So Well** » Wed May 12, 2010 5:09 pm

kteague wrote: It's interesting that your legs are worse with running. Some of the studies I've read suggests that strenuous exercise helps RLS (and PLMD). Makes me wonder if the running is depleting something nutritional. I take a Calcium Magnesium Zinc combo as well as Rx Potassium. Can't say that it helps as I'm on meds too, but my legs aren't as miserable as they have been at other times. Have you had your ferritin level checked? There's still some debate about how helpful getting the ferritin level up really is, but I don't think there's any debate on a high incidence of RLS sufferers having iron issues. My sleep doc recommends warm foot soaks (or warm bath) at night, and it seems to help me. Also, some meds can cause or exacerbate RLS, so it pays to check that out. Caffeine and some cold meds make mine worse.

Seems Requip (Ropinerole) is the "drug of choice" these days. I read on here some saying they take it with no side effects. Wish I could say the same. Don't know how anyone could predetermine which group they'll be in. Mirapex is another popular one. They are both dopamine agonists. Sinemet is a replacement drug used mostly when agonists no longer work. When one must take a prescribed med to get their legs quiet enough to sleep, it is what it is. I think one would do well to try everything else first.

Thanks for the comprehensive advice. As you propose, I think trying to work this out without drugs is the route for me.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Wed May 12, 2010 11:15 pm

Did either your diagnostic or titration study show you to have limb movements, and if so, did they cause arousals?

Muffy · Post by **Muffy** » Thu May 13, 2010 4:21 am

So Well wrote:What are the good drugs for a mild case of RLS? What are the side effects? Do they distort sleep architecture?

Due to a minor injury, I temporarily stopped my running routine 10 days ago. I thought without exercise my sleep would become worse. It has gotten better and I feel sure it is because my legs are not as uncomfortable at night as when I run. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.

How many miles a day are (were) you doing? What is your time/mile? What is (was) your weekly routine? How old are you?

Muffy

wil · Post by **wil** » Thu May 13, 2010 12:10 pm

I just attended a talk on this last night...

The presenter didn't mention how debateable the link is between RLS and iron. According to her (Neuroscience, UNC Chapel Hill), getting iron levels right is the first line defense. This could include a daily supplement or weekly infusions. If this doesn't work, they follow that with gabapentin, a short half-life drug with several uses. They use this because it has very few side effects.

I too would be interested to know if you had lots of limb movements during your study.

It's definitely worth treating if it's uncomfortable, whether it's causing arousals or not. It's relatively easy to treat... but severely underdiagnosed.

So Well · Post by **So Well** » Mon May 17, 2010 8:35 am

To answer some of the questions. I have been running 8 miles on M and F and 12 miles on W. My training routine is fast and I am "up in years".

The sleep doc said the sleep study showed mild RLS and he thought it would be resolved by CPAP. So I can't be sure that what I am experiencing at night is RLS. It might well be soreness from all the running.

I saw my GP on Friday and he threatened me that I was destroying my legs and would one day walk with a cane or roll in a chair. He suggested I take up bicycling or swimming.

Swimming will not give me the intensive workout I seek and lack of bike paths convenient to my home makes bicycling a very risky activity.

In the meantime the doc did scare me so I have dropped the running down to 4 to 5 miles three times per week with maybe a 12-miler every other week. I have done two 4-milers now and the leg soreness was barely noticeable.

I have also procured a fitted oral appliance and will post separately about that.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon May 17, 2010 12:36 pm

Whew, that's quite a running schedule! My knees are worn out, but not from running, it's mostly from years of extreme repetitive leg movements during sleep. When you compare your diagnostic and titration studies, did your "mild RLS" improve? With your athletic endeavors, it would be no surprise if your legs are affected by the stress, but it may not be the only factor involved. The less you leave to assumption the better. Do you have copies of the reports that you could give the specifics on the LM's?

Drugs for RLS (runner has problems)

Drugs for RLS (runner has problems)

Re: Drugs for RLS (runner has problems)

Re: Drugs for RLS (runner has problems)

Re: Drugs for RLS (runner has problems)

Re: Drugs for RLS (runner has problems)

Re: Drugs for RLS (runner has problems)

Re: Drugs for RLS (runner has problems)

Re: Drugs for RLS (runner has problems)