Restless legs caused by a vitamin product?

[Jess123dog]

Hi I just want to tell you about my experience with certain Vitamin B Complex and unbearable restless legs. By the way, I have Parkinson's Disease.

5th Jan 24, I started taking a Vitamin B complex (B Complex - Naturelo brand).

16 March 24, I started to have restless legs and little sleep. Before this point I was not on meds (for Parkinson's) as I was only recently diagnosed. But I soon found that Levodopa alleviated the restless legs.

Over the next few months I continued to take the Vitamin B complex daily. The restless legs was now unbearable when unmedicated.

Mid January 2025 I did not take the Vitamin B complex for about a week when I was very ill. At the same time my restless legs vastly improved. At that stage I had no idea why. I then decided to start the Vitamin B complex again and within hours of taking it my restless legs started again.

I then looked at the Amazon reviews of the product that I was taking and it seems that quite a few people have serious concerns about this brand and have had adverse health problems because of it. For me I have literally been to hell and back.

I wanted to let you know in case it rings any bells for you.

[SueJohnson]

Strange. None of the ingredients should cause that but it may be because of the excipients.

[Joolsg]

Mmm. Not sure it's the vitamins.You say you stopped them for a week when ill.

There are numerous reports of RLS subsiding when someone has a virus/illness. Illnesses raise serum ferritin & some think that's the explanation why RLS reduces.

In your case- I suspect levodopa at the high doses required for PD has caused & worsened your RLS. Augmentation.

It's a common problem.

There are other medications that can be used for PD.

Please do discuss fully with your PD neurologist.

I spoke to Professor Alistair Noyce at Bart's last year, and he confirmed he doesn't prescribe dopaminergic meds for PD- especially when the patient also has RLS.

[Jess123dog in reply to Joolsg]

But now I am well again the restless legs has not returned? I only tried the vitamin once after the week off, it returned, then went again next day when I did not take vitamin again.

[Joolsg in reply to Jess123dog]

Then I am wrong and there must be something in the vitamins that triggers the RLS.If you get RLS each time you take the vitamins- clearly that is a trigger.

Watch for signs of worsening RLS in the future. Then might be the time to.review Levodopa.

[Typicallygaslit in reply to Joolsg]

I know that B6 turns up the serotonin so yes it can trigger RLS. I don’t tolerate it. For instance can’t drink those smoothies with added vitamin B, especially not in the evening or at night.

[DicCarlson]

Switch to a different formula. I take 2 per day Life Extension Multivitamin - it has all the B vitamins.

[Typicallygaslit]

I do get problems from several vitamin Bs as well as certain herbal supplements. I’ve given up on all synthetic supplements and rely on food, I honestly don’t think I really need any vitamins and minerals other than B12 which I don’t get much of in the food.

[BoldMove]

Have you tried a different brand? I take B50 with no other vitamins added with breakfast. It makes no difference. I have good and bad days.

When I had COVID for 10 days, I didn't eat for the first 3 days. Then I resumed normal meals plus vitamins. No RLS until I recovered from COVID.