Restless Leg Syndrome & Parkinsons

[Buddie42]

Hi

I have had restless leg symptoms for nearly a year, since starting levodopa treatment for Parkinsons disease. I have read that levodopa can make RLS worse (augmentation), but if I stop taking levodopa, my PD symptoms return.

I wondered if anyone else has this issue.

[Retren]

Buddie42My nephew has had Parkinson's since he was30 ironically he was actually doing research in the disease He tells me he gets RLS at night he takes the medication you do . I have sympathy about the R LS but it is a case of trial and error to find something which will give relief. I wish I could help more but as we are all on this site coping as best we can you have our best wishes with it all.

[Buddie42 in reply to Retren]

Thanks, I hope that your nephew finds something that works. I am trying new meds next week, so fingers crossed!

[Kaarina Administrator]

Hi Buddie42,

I am not sure if this helps at all but on the RLS-UK website under Treatment it says "Levodopa may be recommended if you only have symptoms occasionally. Continuous use of levodopa can make your symptoms worse. It’s therefore only taken once the patient feels the symptoms of RLS coming on."

Kaarina

[Buddie42 in reply to Kaarina]

Hi Kaarina

Many thanks. I take Levadopa for my Parkinsons disease and I suspect it is my making RLS worse (I seem to have both). If I stop taking it my Parkinsons symptoms come back.

[SLMCP]

Over the years I have continually asked my consultant whether there is a link, and if I have RLS am I likely to develop Parkinsons, and he says no, but somehow I just don't believe him and am resigning myself to a future with Parkinsons...

[Hidden]

I am only commenting to put your mind at rest. There is NO connection between RLS and Parkinsons, so you need to believe your doctor on that one.   People with Parkinsons can develop RLS, but having RLS does not mean you will develop Parkinsons because you have RLS.   The only connection is, that both conditions can be managed by the same meds, altho RLSers take a much lower dose than people who have Parkinson.   Otherwise both are different conditions.  

[datsoon1]

have been taking levopada for rls plus morphine for years as doctors first thought i had parkinsons now they say its rls.its not fun in middle of night when legs all over the place with spasoms