I'm currently on Requip, but I would like to know if anyone has tried Mirapex, Baclofen, Horizant, or anything else for Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement? If so, what did you like or dislike about the drug? Also, this applies to what has worked or not worked for you pertaining to, muscle spasms, muscle twitching, and parkinsons disease, etc...
What drugs have you found effective in treating RLS and PLM?
Question posted by HPoole on 10 Aug 2011
Last updated on 1 February 2022 by Whosiskid
46 Answers
Whosiskid
1 Feb 2022
I have an extremely acute case of RLS combined with an equally acute case of peripheral neuropathy and have tried every drug listed for it listed on the official RLS website. Nothing worked for me until my doctor at Emory (widely regarded as the top RLS researcher in the world - Dr. David Rye) prescribed Methadone as the "treatment of last resort". He also added in Lyrica, and it made a massive difference in how I felt. This was 8 years ago. And while other neurologists have continued the Methadone, they did so exclusively because of Dr. Rye's reputation. Since then doctors have become increasingly unwilling to prescribe narcotics for RLS, even though for some of us it is the only thing that works.
I have not tried medical Marijuana for RLS. though many patients in states where it is available swear by it. I would love to try it, but I've never in my life been a recreational drug user. If I am ever denied Methadone I will probably find one way or another to try pot, since no combo of Neurontin, Gabepetin, Lyrica, etc. without Methadone has helped in the least.
Note: in many states the ONLY kind of doctor who can prescribe a narcotic on a permanent basis is a neurologist, since in most states the only conditions recognized as treatable by narcotics are neurological ones, like RLS and neuropathy. So sleep specialists and pain specialists are unable to help you on a permanent basis.
As far as OTC medications go, there are four you might try. Some cases of RLS are helped by magnesium or zinc. Neither helped me, but I do seem to get some extremely mild benefit from B12/Methyl Folate and from Alpha Lipoic Acid. These have both been shown in clinical trials to have some positive affects. I get about 90% of my help from Methadone, 8% from Lyrica, and 1% each from B12/Methyl Folate and Alpha Lipoic Acid. I also highly recommend getting a powerful percussive massager. I've mainly relied on various thumper massagers, although they are not cheap.
Nrivera34
12 March 2019
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
55barbara
5 March 2019
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
phuey
9 Feb 2017
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.
Dillwynia
18 Oct 2016
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!
kathyd5
17 Oct 2016
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.
Christy1980
16 Oct 2016
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!
Dillwynia
20 Dec 2012
SIFROL -fantastic and got rid of the horrible sensations. I certainly recommend Sifrol to all. I believe it is also a Parkinson's drug.
55barbara
23 Oct 2012
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.
cleckner
22 Oct 2012
Mirapex did nothing for me but others say its good.
mccormie06
29 Sep 2012
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
55barbara
20 Aug 2012
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.
SandraLHoutz
20 Aug 2012
I had to stop the Requip as it started making my throat close up ... this was after 3 nights of .5 mg and then titrating up to the full 1 mg -- first day (day 4) after the full 1 mg I was nauseated all day and just rode that out, took 1 mg at bed (day 5) and my throat swelled ... so now I'm allergic to it and the sleep doc figured any of the others in the same family as well ... so now I'm left with being told to see psych and take either Restoril or Serax to knock me out :(
Inactive
19 June 2012
Tramadol at a low dose, mirapex .0125 (half a tablet) and I'm just finding out oxycodone kills it too.
55barbara
19 June 2012
Have tried requip, mirapex, gabapentin--either they didn't work for me or after a few months side effects were to difficult too deal with. Had a tooth pulled and dentist gave me vicodin. When I took the vicodin, I didn't have restless legs. Had to beg my dr for a prescription, but since I am 76 and have had rls for 25 years and it has gotten progressively worse, he gave me a prescription. I only take it at bedtime and it gives me 4 hrs of uninterrupted sleep. Only thing I have found so far.
Related topics
mirapex, requip, muscle spasm, parkinson's disease, chronic spasticity, restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, baclofen, muscle twitching, horizant
Further information
- Mirapex uses and warnings
- Requip uses and warnings
- Baclofen uses and warnings
- Horizant uses and warnings
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