Low Potassium and RLS

[Bloodhound669]

Finally received the labs from the V.A. No workup on iron but everything else. Appears that I am low 3.3 mEg/l. I've read that it may be due to the water pills I take for my BP. Is low potassium a problem for RLS?

[Boldgirl45]

Following this

[Joolsg]

thespineandperformance.com/...

Yes. Diuretics can worsen RLS. Probably because they cause low potassium.

[SueJohnson in reply to Joolsg]

It would be interesting if someone who is taking a diuretic is able to take extra potassium and therefore avoid their RLS getting worse. I guess from now on instead of saying all diuretics make RLS worse I will advise to take extra potassium and get it checked. And Busunsc713 says there are diuretics that don' t reduce potassium so I will add that.

[Joolsg in reply to SueJohnson]

Every day I learn something new about RLS and the meds that trigger it.I agree Sue, imagine if scientists & doctors were as interested in solving the many puzzles of RLS?

[SueJohnson in reply to Joolsg]

so true

[Joolsg]

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po... potassium in the search box. Lots of other posts about it.

[SueJohnson]

Yes it can be. Potassium is important for muscle and nerve function, and low levels can contribute to muscle spasms and exacerbate RLS symptoms

[Bloodhound669 in reply to SueJohnson]

This is of interest to me: I take HTCZ25mg./LOSARTAN100mg. and AMLODIPINE 10mg. It appears that both Losartan and Amlodipine INCREASE Potassium but HTCZ DECREASES Potassium. Are these a possible culprit as to my low potassium? ALSO: My Pramipexole and Omeprazole DECREASE Potassium and my Atorvastatin and my Finasteride INCRESE Potassium. Where to start being concerned?

[SueJohnson]

It's certainly possible.

Unfortunately HTCZ is a diuretic and all diuretic can make RLS worse.

And amlopidine which is a calcium channel blocker can also make RLS worse. Some medicines that are safe for high blood pressure are propranolol (Inderal, Hemangeol, InnoPran) a beta blocker that may help RLS, Isosorbide Mononitrate (Monoket, Imdur) which is not a beta blocker nor calcium channel blocker. Other possibilities are: Clonidine (Catapres) an Alpha-2-Agonist used to treat high blood pressure which may help RLS and which also treats insomnia, tenex (Guanfacine, Intuniv), prazosin (Minipress) an alpha-adrenergic blocker that is also useful in managing sleep-related problems caused by PTSD and Tadalafil a vasodilator that in one study completely eliminated RLS. Discuss these with your doctor including side effects.

And then there is reducing salt by 1 teaspoon a day nih.gov/news-events/nih-res....

[Busunsc713 in reply to SueJohnson]

Not all diuretics lower potassium levels. There is a class of drugs “potassium sparing diuretics” (triamterene, spironolactone, eplerenone, amiloride) that helps the body get rid of sodium and water but spares potassium.

[SueJohnson in reply to Busunsc713]

Thank you.

[2islandboy]

Hi, any thoughts on Losartan and Diltiazem affecting RLS. Thanks

[SueJohnson in reply to 2islandboy]

Generally ARBs like Losartan are OK, but some people have said hey made their RLS worse. I have 2 articles on Diltiazem. One says it makes RLS worse and calcium channel blockers usually do. One says it doesn't.

Some medicines that are safe for high blood pressure are propranolol (Inderal, Hemangeol, InnoPran) a beta blocker that may help RLS, Isosorbide Mononitrate (Monoket, Imdur) which is not a beta blocker nor calcium channel blocker. Other possibilities are: Clonidine (Catapres) an Alpha-2-Agonist used to treat high blood pressure which may help RLS and which also treats insomnia, tenex (Guanfacine, Intuniv), prazosin (Minipress) an alpha-adrenergic blocker that is also useful in managing sleep-related problems caused by PTSD and Tadalafil a vasodilator that in one study completely eliminated RLS. Discuss these with your doctor including side effects. And then there is reducing salt by 1 teaspoon a day nih.gov/news-events/nih-res....

[Bloodhound669 in reply to SueJohnson]

I add very little salt to my diet and if I do add salt it is either Celtic sea salt of Himalayan salt.

[2islandboy]

You're the best Sue, I'll take this to my Cardiologist, thanks