New meds.

[Whymelord]

Hi,can I please ask if a medicine called Bisoprolol can exacerbate RLS.

[ChrisColumbus]

Bisoprolol is a beta blocker used to combat high blood pressure: bisoprolol specifically and beta blockers in general are widely reported to exacerbate RLS.

See Sue Johnson's Reply to the chain on candesartan (linked below) for a list of 'RLS safer' blood pressure treatments. My Reply in that same chain talks about perindopril and losartan - I'm currently on the latter with no RLS symptoms (and totally controlled BP)

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

[Whymelord in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thankyou ChrisColumbus,I will check the list,I'm also on Losartan and Lercanidipine,still have RLS every blooming night.Taking Pregablin plus 2 cocodamol but they don't really help,got bloods done recently ,I rang my surgery and asked for a printout of the results and was told that I need to call up and sign some form,nothings simple.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Whymelord]

1. Lercanidipine is a calcium channel blocker, also often linked to RLS symptoms.

2. I'm not saying never ever take beta or calcium channel blockers: there *may* be good medical reasons for doing so.

3. Losartan is an angiotensin receptor blocker. Some report it exacerbates RLS, but not mine.

I think that there can sometimes be a timing issue on taking meds and RLS: for example, I take a 50mg losartan pill in the morning and experience no side effects while controlling BP (I have a home BP monitor and periodically take readings morning and evening).

Some doctors say that BP can be a problem at night, so meds should be taken in the evening: I've not seen the evidence for either part of this...

4. My surgery required me to apply in writing for access to my GP Health Record: I'm in England, and can now see all my prescriptions, test results, immunisations, consultations and documents online using either the NHS or Patient Access apps - they give a code to put into the app. Don't know whether this works where you are... (your profile doesn't show which country you're in)

[Whymelord in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I may try taking my BP meds in the morning rather than late evening and see how it works for me,like you say it can really be about timing.Im in Northern Ireland so not sure just how much access to my medical records I can get although I think we all should be able to see our medical record, I'm gonna ask that question when I do go to my surgery.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Whymelord]

BTW, I see that the NHS app I'm using to view my GP health record only applies to people registered with an NHS GP surgery in England or the Isle of Man. I don't know whether there's a NI version.

The Patient Access app, which provides me with the same range of information, makes reference to the UK. But whether it works fully in NI.... The app can be downloaded from Google Play for Android, and hopefully from the App Store for iPhone....

[Whymelord in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thankyou, I don't know if it is accessible in N.Ireland but I will make enquiries.

[Joolsg in reply to Whymelord]

Shumbah had high blood pressure caused by uncontrolled RLS and lack of sleep. She switched to Buprenorphine and it worked so well, she was able to stop the HBP tablets.I suspect uncontrolled RLS is responsible for your HBP.

Have a long chat with your GP. If pregabalin doesn't help, your RLS is refractory and low dose opioids might be better for you.

Look up Shumbah's posts and mine about Buprenorphine and see if your GP will consider a one month trial.

If you sleep, your blood pressure may reduce.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Joolsg]

Interesting Jools: I hadn't picked up on that possible link before, but I'm not sure which is the chicken and which the egg!

On a quick search I see various comments suggesting this link, and note the "positive association between RLS and hypertension" shown in the following 2021 study:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/349...

I've been blaming my mother for inherited RLS, but perhaps should be blaming my father for inherited hypertension!

[Joolsg in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I only know about it because Shumbah posted about the miraculous effects of Buprenorphine. She was able to stop a few meds because her BP reduced as soon as her sleep improved. Lack of sleep is linked to heart problems and diabetes so it's not surprising.