Sleep Apnea and RLS

[ParisianTN55]

I have reduced my ropinorole from 10 mg down to 2 1/2 mg and still reducing. My RLS Doctor recommended a sleep study which diagnosed sleep apnea. Anyone else have Rls and sleep apnea. I’ve had some issues with sleep but was shocked to get this diagnosis.

[SueJohnson]

It is often associated with RLS. Interestingly in some cases, sleep apnea treatment results in improvements in RLS, eliminating the need for medications.

See the related posts on the side.

[ParisianTN55 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks again Sue!

[Cowbsky in reply to SueJohnson]

Yes, indeed! that is my case; yet completely worked out apnea, RLS remained (well controlled using other techniques).

Great doctors, such as Barry Krakor (see his books), says never treat RLS before resolving sleep apneas!!

the best

[Madlegs1]

I'm not sure of your time scale, but going from 20 to 2.5 is a severe drop.

But if you are not experiencing withdrawals ,then I guess you are doing it right!

💚👍

[RLSAndy]

I suspect i have it and awaiting bloods and a sleep study from a device i wore, out of interest what symptoms do you get? I wake up gasping thinking i cant breath which is terrifying. Ive come down from 4mg ropinirole to .25 and my RLS is awful with me gettinf 6-3 hours sleep atm. Im about to drop to 0 but scared how much worse it will get 🙁

[LotteM in reply to RLSAndy]

That definitely sounds like sleep apnea, Andy. It is probably worsening the small amount of sleep you do get. Please pause the ropinirole reduction (as said in a reply to your other post) and wait for the sleep study result and, if indeed apnea, the start of the apnea treatment.

[RLSAndy in reply to LotteM]

My problem is that i dont know how long it will be until i hear back and need to drop ropinirole to stop augmentation 🙁

[JunieBJones]

I just have to say, bless you for getting your ropinirole down from 10mg to 2.5. I was on 12mg and after 7 months got it down to 0. Keep going as I found after getting down to zero I still felt withdrawal symptoms for several months. I have mild sleep apnea but sleep in such short segments that I don't think there's much time to be apneic. I recently started pregabalin 50mg and found that to be somewhat helpful for RLS and insomnia, gabapentin wasn't good for me. I know the doses need to be divided into 300mg amounts and taken 2-3 hrs apart so the receptors are available to receive it. (don't quote me on that) Good luck to you.

[SueJohnson in reply to JunieBJones]

Pregabalin doses don't need to be divided at all. Gabapentin doses need to be divided into 600 mg taken 2 hours apart.

[SueJohnson in reply to JunieBJones]

After you have been on pregabalin for 3 weeks increase it by 25 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Since you are familiar with the Mayo Algorithm you probably know the normal effective dose is 200 to 300 but taking oxycodone may mean you don't need that much. You are aware I assume that oxycodone only lasts 4 to 6 hours so needs to be taken that often or you will get mini withdrawals.

You have probably seen this to but in case you haven't. Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, foods high in glutamate, ice cream, eating late at night, oestrogen (estrogen) including HRT, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), collagen supplements, eating late at night, stress and vigorous exercise.

Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennell, low oxalate diet, a low-inflammatory diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak (epsom salts), vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices like therapulse, using a standing desk, playing and listening to music, creative hobbies, meditation and yoga.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any I may be able to provide a safe alternative.

[ParisianTN55 in reply to JunieBJones]

Thanks for the encouragement! I’m at 2 mg now and it’s been hard. I guess Im getting tired of dealing with this and I still have a ways to go.