What drugs have you found effective in treating RLS and PLM?

I've had severe restless legs since I was in college, 40+ years ago. I've been taking requip for over 30 years. My doctor wants me to get off requip, so I'm taking gabapentin and clonidine with a 1/4 tablet of Percocet. My dad had severe restless legs and ended up with Parkinson's, which he died from. Many family members also have it. Sleep is a constant struggle.

I suffer from both conditions and I never know when it will come on but lately it has been almost every night and I can't stand it!!! I have been on Gabapentin for the past several years and I take a high dosage of 1200 my. It will last for 2-4 hours of pain and discomfort and I don't get much sleep. I also suffer from Osteoarthritis in.my knees and it makes my life miserable... if I don't take my pills as prescribed it won't work And I'll be up all night

I am 83 and have had restless legs since my early 50s. My oldest daughter also has it, so it appears to be genetic. It has become so severe in last 15 years that I have taken meds. Gabapentin, Mirapex, clonazepam, etc. Nothing works for me except Norco which primary care dr was prescribing. Only took 1 pill a night. Dr prescribed for about a year and then came Opioid crisis and dr would no longer prescribe. Neurologist put me on clonazepam which keeps me asleep for 2 hours whether I take 1 pill or 2. Side effect is that my legs seem weak next day.So manage to get about 2 hrs sleep a night. Sometimes RLS starts around 3pm. Other than the RLS I am in good health, but don't know how long that will last without sleep. Good luck to you. Would appreciate any suggestions from others suffering from RLS

Ropineol is the best. Some medicines work fine for what they are prescribed for, but then I'll have terrible restless leg syndrome while trying to sleep & I can't take it. Restless legs are so miserable that sleep is impossible. My old doctor could tell that I had that & he prescribed ropinerol. The doctor that I have now won't give it to me & keeps prescribing other things. I'll tell him next time I go in that I just cannot use all these other things, especially when the ropinerol was perfect. For restless legs only... for me. I may not be spelling the medication correctly.

Hi H, Mirapex is the same drug as Sifrol which I use for Restless Legs. I use Baclofen for cramps. I have a paralysed leg and have both symptoms in that leg. I do find it's best to take the Sifrol awhile before going to bed to give it time to work.Best wishes!

HPoole,

I am 61 years old have been using Mirapex since I was diagnosed with RLS in 2001 at age 46, so about 15 years now. It continues to work well for me. If I don't take it at the right time, however, I will struggle with RLS for a couple of hours or more before things finally settle down and I can sleep. The key is to take it about 2 to 3 hours before you plan to go to bed. Then it works quite well and consistently. Unlike some of the previous responders, I have only had my dosage raised one time in the 15 years I have been taking it. And I do have a severe case of RLS. I also do not have the other side effects mentioned in the previous comments. I have been on Mirapex for a long, long time now so it may be that my body has acclimated itself well to the medication. I also do not take any other medications as I am in general good health except for the RLS. This could be why I have so few side-effects and why my dosage has only been raised one time in all these years. I can truly say Mirapex has been quite effective in treating my RLS. I hope this helps as you consider talking with your doctor about medications.

My entire family has RLS! I've found baclofen & benzos helpful in reducing/stopping the RLS symptoms! I currently take Klonopin 0.5mgs ( 2 @ bedtime ) & thus far it is helping!

SIFROL -fantastic and got rid of the horrible sensations. I certainly recommend Sifrol to all. I believe it is also a Parkinson's drug.

have tried most prescribed drugs for rls which I have had for 25 yrs. Only started trying meds for the last 4 yrs as it got progressively worse,but too many side effects. Only thing I have found that works is Norco which I think can be addictive and had to beg my dr for it. But it is not addictive to me and I take one low dose at bedtime or if my legs start bothering me in the early evening.

Mirapex did nothing for me but others say its good.

I am so sorry to hear you have restless leg syndrome. I get it once in a while and I take 5mg Valium and it helpse.
Good luck

I have had rls for over 25 yrs, in beginning just thought I was restless. About 4 yrs ago it got progressively worse so started taking many of the above meds you mention. Had too many side effects. Happened to take vicodin for a dental procedure and found I had no rls so begged my dr for vicodin because I had no life getting only about 2 hrs sleep at a time. Now take a low dose of vidodin at bedtime and though I still get rls on occasion, most of the time it works and no side effects. People warn about getting addicted with this drug, but I have no problem not taking it and seldom take more than one pill at night.