Edited: PD increases chance of RLS.(yes) Azilect worsens RLS.(wrong) Ambroxol, being an antihistamine I believe worsens RLS.(incorrect)

[Little_apple]

Edited to state that: I was wrong!

Editing my edit: (yes, I know, but I’m trying) Not only do dopamine agonists make RLS worse but so do meds that increase dopamine. Azilect was not mentioned specifically but increasing dopamine is a “cause of RLS augmentation.” Levodopa increases augmentation meaning it makes RLS worse. So thinking Azilect does was not necessarily incorrect. If you have PD and develop RLS, well, it is horrid.

rls-uk.org/augmentation-reb...

quote:  common treatments, using dopamine replacement therapy (commonly dopamine agonists and levodopa preparations such as Ropinirole, Pramipexole, and the Rotigotine patch) may lead to complications. These problems are still poorly understood but need to be recognised in clinic.

Dopamine agonists DO worsen RLS. But, it has not been documented that MAOB inhibitors do so, I was wrong on that. But, for those taking dopamine agonists, please note that they most certainly are known to be a cause of worsening RLS.

Antihistamines are stated to worsen RLS. Ambroxol is an antihistamine. On the RLS forum I was told “not that kind of antihistamine,”. I have yet to research that further. Some antihistamines are said to worsen RLS.

My personal experience: My neuro told me to just stop taking Azilect because he was going to switch me to Pramipexole. This was bad advice. Just suddenly stopping Azilect caused a surge of symptoms. And Pramipexole, being a dopamine agonist would have made my RLS worse.

Original Post:

Canary in the coal mine here to share my cautionary tale.

As stated above, Parkinson’s is associated with increased chance of RLS.

Dopamine agonists worsen RLS (in my case I think Azilect pushed my dopamine receptors in to more failure causing the RLS)

And now I read that antihistamines cause or worsen RLS. Ambroxol is an antihistamine.

And to anyone who might be wondering, yes, I was on this forum multiple times before. I do not want to derail the intended subject but will just say I have left over and over because I can not handle the stress of the hostility I have received here. A small number of people have made it unbearable for me so I leave and vow to not come back for the sake of my mental health. I openly acknowledge that I am an emotionally fragile person and very poorly suited for online communication. So, I’m genuinely sorry I disappear and resurface. I know that’s weird but I figure it’s not hurting anyone and no one would care, well except for the few aforementioned ones. So, I just slip back in hoping to remain under the radar until those who were mean before resurface.

Back to the subject of the post:

from my personal experience and reading I’ve concluded that if like me you take a combo of a dopamine agonists and Ambroxol you are increasing your odds of developing RLS.

Now I do not know what to do. I have yet to find a GP or neurologist that has not given me bad advice which I realize the hard way after the fact so here I am trying to inform myself as much as my layman self can.

[WinnieThePoo]

Just for the record . Maob inhibitors like Azilect are not dopamine agonists. Maob inhibitors stop dopamine being destroyed. Dopamine agonists affect the function of dopamine receptors.

[Little_apple]

I have been incorrect. Someone on the RLS forum, Sue, kindly steered me in the right direction. I thought that MAOB inhibitors both stop the dopamine from being destroyed and antagonize, stimulate, the receptors.

I am relieved to be wrong!

I apologize for perpetuating misinformation. That is the last thing I want to do,

And, although Ambroxol is an antihistamine, according to the RLS forum, it is not the sort of antihistamine that worsens RLS.

I will edit my title to explain that I am delighted to have been wrong!

And, the RLS forum has a lot of excellent info for any PD member also dealing with restless legs.

[Little_apple in reply to Little_apple]

i edited my edit. The above is true except, I think Azilect may worsen RLS because it’s been established that CL does bc of increasing dopamine. I need a forced break. I have both PD and RLS. I’m only 47. My future…..how….😞

[Grumpy77 in reply to Little_apple]

Thanks for posting. If I may ask, which one came first, RLS or PD? And how long have you had either? And the meds for which did you start first?

The answer to that would probably help in understanding the dynamics between the two better

[Little_apple in reply to Grumpy77]

I have another thread going with ideas being bantered on this subject. And there is some making light of my situation to which I did not retain my grace.

RLS at 35

RLS left (don’t know why)

PD becoming evident 40-ish

PD diagnosed at 45. Started Azilect at 45 (maybe just 46)

RLS back and awful. Age 47 oddly, PD symptoms greatly decreased. Primary problem now RLS.

[Zella23 in reply to Little_apple]

in my HWP experience, lowering Madopar and adding in Rasagaline(Azilect) seemed to help with RLS which appeared after a few years on Madopar.

I guess that makes everyone’s experience of these drugs different it’s finding the combination that works best.

His Neurologist is keen to make him increase dosing of dopamine but while he manages quite well on his low dose, without too many side effects, he accepts it’s up to my husband to decide.

[DEAT]

I am following your posts with interest.

I have developed RLS over the past few weeks.

Like you I don't know what to do.

Waiting for a cancellation so I can bring forward my appointment with Neurologist

[Little_apple in reply to DEAT]

I’m learning from the RLS forum. I recommend it. I’m so sorry you are going through this too.

Which PD meds are you on?

Please also seek the other thread on this subject. It starts with tyrosine and dopa as alternatives

[park_bear in reply to Little_apple]

Things that increase dopamine are supposed to make restless legs better. I'm wondering if what is going on with you at this point is actually dyskinesia, which of course is aggravated by dopamine.

[Sydney75 in reply to park_bear]

I agree it gets so complicated sometimes. A low dose of Neupro helps my HWP I just worry about augmentation of issues like RLS over time hence trying to keep the dose lower.

[Little_apple in reply to park_bear]

They mask the symptom of RLS while actually making it worse and worse until you end up on opioids. This knowledge, new to me, brings to mind Dr. Jonathan Sacklers hypothesis which I’m starting to give more credence to. So, PD meds that increase dopamine all , literally all, increase RLS. In my case, I think Azilect gave me RLS.

[Sydney75]

Melatonin worsened HWP RLS significantly

[Little_apple in reply to Sydney75]

Thank you for mentioning that. Adding that to the list of what I’ve done to give myself RLS. From what I’ve read, melatonin decreases dopamine. I think that is brings out the RLS but is not contributing to its progression.

[chartist]

L_a,

I don't know if you have tried mag oil spray for your RLS, but it might be worth a try. No scientific evidence that I am aware of, but significant anecdotal evidence to support its use for RLS. It is also good for relieving leg and muscle cramps very rapidly. It can also help you get to sleep if applied to the chest, back of the neck and rear shoulder areas. It is inexpensive and can also relieve some joint pain.

Here are some anecdotal reports that support its use for RLS. In the reviews section, you have to select two tabs, " restless legs " and " leg syndrome " and there are over 300 anecdotal reports confirming effectiveness for RLS :

amazon.com/Pure-MAGNESIUM-O...

Art

[Bear1927]

try Frankincense oil, it might relieve your RLS