I’m new here.

[Oliviamax123]

Got severe rls since hip fracture 3.5 years ago. Now been diagnosed with Atrial fibrillation. Can Apixaban anti coagulants make rls worse? Seems to have got much worse lately and GP has changed my meds because of augmentation. Going through hell!!

[nightdancer]

In a word , no. Blood thinners do not affect RLS. Look on the UK Foundation web site for the list of Drugs to Avoid. What other meds are you on FOR RLS? Details will help us give you better answers, or help.

[Oliviamax123 in reply to nightdancer]

Been on Ropinirole for about 18 months. Got augmentation, so GP gave me Pramipexole which I’ve had before .Reallyhelped for a while last time, but now legs are going mad during the afternoon and at night.Seems a coincidence that rls has got so bad since being on anti coagulants

[Hidden in reply to Oliviamax123]

You are having augmentation again by being on the Pramipexole after augmenting on the Ropinerole. Once you augment on one dopamine med you will augment on another. You got relief for a while which is what happens, then BANG, back to having augmentation. Now you need to get off the Pramipexole and try a different class of meds, no more dopamine meds for you.

[LotteM in reply to Hidden]

Lol. Elisse, in hindsight we were typing essentially the same things at the same time.

[Oliviamax123]

You are probably right but only been on pramipexole for a few days. Back to the Doctor I think!

[LotteM]

Olivia, from one DA (dopamine agonist, like ropinirole, pramipexole and also rotigotine) onto the next upon augmentation is simply waiting for augmentation to strike again; later - if you are lucky - or sooner. I am afraid the latter applies to you.

Thus, you need to come off the pramipexole, slowly reducing your dose. Meanwhile your rls will most likely get even worse. And by the time you get to your last step you need to have started another med, such as gabapentin or pregabalin. And you may temporarily need an opiate such as tramadol to help you cope with the temporary in reased rls. The gabapentin and pregabalin need to be titrated up slowly, as you need to get used to them, i.e. the side effects. And you will not be able to judge their effect unless the withdrawal effects of the pramipexole have subsided completely. That may take a few weeks after your last dose.

Use the search bar, put augmentation in and read-read-read. If you still have questions, please ask, we’re here to help.

Incidently, there is also good info on the rls-uk.org website. E.g. on augmentation and on the various types of meds to treat rls. Stay tuned!

[Hidden]

Hi Olivia. I can't answer your question about the drugs interacting but I believe the anxiety that comes from being newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation often makes other med probs more painful and lowers our coping ability. I have both. RIS starting in 2016 and a-fib diagnosed in 2011. My a-fib is very well controlled now- have had ab AV node ablation and pacemaker in 2016 and a Watchman procedure last week (1/15/18) to get off blood thinners. I was a nurse and even being stable with my a-fib still causes me anxiety sometimes. Good luck with the a-fib and hope I've helped a little. Stick with this forum. There's so much helpful info and concerned people. I've said before I often learn more here than I do from some caregivers. Take care.

[Bajatom]

It is worth following cardiologist Dr John Mandrola, especially for AF. His blog is at drjohnm.org

[Oliviamax123]

I’m reading this at 3am. Haven’t been to sleep yet! If they can send people to space,why can’t anyone find a cure for this horrible condition??!!!

[Peterdh2u]

Hi Olivia, Your post struck a chord and I was wondering whether you managed to resolve your issue regarding RLS and Apixaban? My RLS has been under control for months with Gabapentin, magnesium and chrondroitin, but I had a total hip replacement this week and my first two nights at home have been an absolute nightmare (or would have been if I could sleep!!). The only thing that has changed is I have started a 5 week course of Apixaban and my RLS has returned with a vengeance. It is more severe than I have ever known it and continues into the morning. The worst thing is that I can do absolutely nothing to relieve the symptoms other than hobble around on my cruches!!

I was given a couple of antihistamine tablets whilst in hospital, but they had no adverse affect on my RLS and, after 3 days, should have well left my system by now.

I have also been prescribed Codeine phosphate and Senna tablets.

[GOClemsonTigers]

Hi Oliviamax123, my husband went on Eliquis in September 2019 and ever since then, he has been in anquish with lots of symptoms. One of the worst is the restless leg syndrome that keeps him up all night. We went to his doctors at the VA and told them the symptoms he has been experiencing. Sleeping, vertigo and confusion are just a few more. He has an appointment in 2 weeks to start back on Warfarin. I will let you know if that's the reason for him to experience all of this. I realize it has been 2 years for you. If you get this message, can you please tell me how you are now? Thank you.