Restless Legs and Medication

[RoadRunner44]

I have recently read that some antibiotics can cause restless leg syndrome. I know that being diabetic can also cause these very unpleasant sensations. I have been on Colomycin for 18 months without stopping for bronchiectasis and have them besides very itchy skin. Is there anyone that can help with suggestions how to deal with it. They start in the feet and hands and then on to my srms and legs. I am seeing a new consultant for my bronchiectasis in January so hope for some answers.

[Hidden]

Medications that cause or aggravate RLS are ones that directly or indirectly affect the nervous system. Antibiotics don't do this.

There may be some other factor affecting your RLS or it may be coincidental, it does get progressively worse with time.

Additionally, your symptoms may be RLS like but not necessarily actual RLS.

Restless legs typically starts in the legs, not hands or feet and usually not in the arms at first. I wouldn't exclude RLS as the cause of your symptoms, but it might be worthwhile having the RLS diagnosis confirmed if you haven't yet had it confirmed.

In addition, you can compare your symptoms to the diagnostic criteria for RLS. Your symptoms must match ALL the criteria.

Here's a link to the criteria

irlssg.org/diagnostic-criteria

If it is definite then a good first start at dealing with it is to have some blood tests. A Ferritin blood test is important as low ferritin levels are associated with RLS. It may be that the effect of long tterm antibiotics is affecting what you absorb from.your gut and you may have some vitamin or mineral deficiencies .

You can also find some useful information on non medical remedies for RLS here -

uptodate.com/contents/treat...

I hope this helps.

[RoadRunner44 in reply to Hidden]

You are very kind to take the trouble to respond in such detail. Many thanks. I am seeing my consultant in January regarding my condition of bronchiectasis. I am also being referred to a neurologist regarding my symptoms of restless leg syndrome and hope I will get some answers. Again, my grateful thanks.