Statin drugs making rls worse? - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

22,607 members16,717 posts

Statin drugs making rls worse?

Crazy-Leggs profile image
5 Replies

Hello everyone, Is it possible that my statin drugs are making my rls worse? I got off of ruvastatin a week ago for legs pain. Was off it for a week plus changed the time of my ropinirole. Legs were much better and I slept for 11 hours! Crazy right? Anyway,

The doctor switched me to pravastatin I have taken it two nights . My rls started becoming much more pronounced, super crazy bad. I can't find much online about the correlation. Anyone out there have that issue?

Written by
Crazy-Leggs profile image
Crazy-Leggs
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
5 Replies
Joolsg profile image
Joolsg

It's common. Have a look at RLS-UK website and show your doctor.There are tips for what else to take.

rls-uk.org/medications-avoid

Also be on alert for augmentation. Ropinirole is no longer prescribed by knowledgeable doctors.

See alerts on RLS-UK.

Crazy-Leggs profile image
Crazy-Leggs in reply toJoolsg

Thanks for your reply. I'm in the U.S.I'm absolutely sure that the ropinirole is augmenting. I desperately want to wean myself off of it. My dose is 1.5 mg so I'm hoping it won't be too dificult. Plus i take 1800 mg of Gabapentin. Ive been on that dose of ropinirole for 12 years. Ocassionally add a .25 pill if I try and be on a car for more than an hour but I seldom attempt to travel.

I'm waiting for an answer on a referal to see a neurologist at the University of Missouri Neurology group. The medical system is seemingly a mess in this country especially after covid. It takes months to get in to any doctor or to have any tests done.

The health care system in this country has always been one of the best but not so much these days.

Most likely my appointment, when I finally get it will be 4 to 6 months from now only adding to my frustration and anxiety.

I research rls all the time to see what's new. Only in the last year have seen what they are doing with iron infusions. My ferritin levels are up to 40 from 24 so I'm continuing the iron supplements to try and get it to 100. And the news that dopamine drugs are no longer recomended. Though my primary doc just wants to up my dose. Of course I refused to do that.

I have excellent health care insurance so that helps. I'm so glad I found this forum. Lots of great information on here. I'm extremely pro active in my health care. We have to be our own advoacat. Too often I have to be my own doctor.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply toCrazy-Leggs

You don't have to wait for an appointment to start reducing your ropinirole. You have the information you need plus gabapentin and how to take it which will probably control your RLS once you are off it.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson

Yes statins make RLS worse. Nexlizet (Nustendi (UK) is a cholesterol lowering drug that is not a statin, but I don’t know if it exacerbates RLS symptoms. Ezetimibe (Zetia) - reduces cholesterol although It doesn't reduce cholesterol as fast as the statins, but according to Chris Columbus it didn't trigger his RLS, however don't take it if you have diabetes and then there is Triglide which seems safe. Berberine may help if it is mildly elevated. You might want to discuss these with your doctor. A more difficult way to reduce cholesterol is to go vegan. My husband lowered his cholesterol from 221 to 131 this way.

Crazy-Leggs profile image
Crazy-Leggs in reply toSueJohnson

I will check this out. I wouldn't take one at all but I had to have a heart stent placed 3 years ago and I guess it makes sense to stay on something. The vegan diet would be hard but maybe we'll worth the effort.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

How can reducing antidepressants be making RLS worse?

i have had RLS for approx 40 years and it has gone from a once every couple of months occurrence...
Soulsister77 profile image

Peculiar RLS triggers

Besides the usual suspects that trigger RLS for the majority of us, I'm curious to know if anyone...
ziggypiggy profile image

Which drugs make RLS worse?

I am seeing a consultant at a sleep clinic on Wednesday 30th January. Last time she wanted to...

RLS in foot

Am I the only one who gets the RLS sensations in their feet? I have it now alongside my legs and...
Pippins2 profile image

RLS.

Hi all. I'm actually on a few other sites on here, fibromyalgia, haematomchrosis and healthy...
Debbs73 profile image

Moderation team

Kaarina profile image
KaarinaAdministrator
Geepjul profile image
GeepjulAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.