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Have Restless Legs Syndrome Disrupting Sleep. Have Bipolar And Depression. Take Requip And Lithium. Suggest?

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Posted on Wed, 17 Jul 2013
Question: My RLS has gone into overdrive and moved further into disrupting my sleep and my life. I take 4mg of Requip and Rested Legs nightly but is not controlling the severity. For Bipolar II and depression, I also take Lithium 900mg, Hydroxizine 200mg, Remeron 30mg. Lastly, Xeralto since I had double pulmonary embolism during chemo 2011. I am working with my psychiatrist for referral to sleep clinic and neurologist. Is there anything you can recommend so I get more than 15 minutes to 3 hours of sleep each night?
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Answered by Dr. Sudhir Kumar (7 hours later)
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

Requip (ropinirole) is a good and effective drug for treating RLS. I also use pramipexole (mirapex) in many people with good relief of symptoms. In some people, levodopa/carbidopa combination (sinemet) may be required additionally.

Regarding sleep problem in RLS, it is quite common. If sleep is the only problem, then, Stilnox (zolpidem sustained release) can ensure 6-8 hours of sleep. If there is added anxiety, then, I prefer benzodiazepines such as clonazepam or alprazolam.

I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Sudhir Kumar

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Have Restless Legs Syndrome Disrupting Sleep. Have Bipolar And Depression. Take Requip And Lithium. Suggest?

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

Requip (ropinirole) is a good and effective drug for treating RLS. I also use pramipexole (mirapex) in many people with good relief of symptoms. In some people, levodopa/carbidopa combination (sinemet) may be required additionally.

Regarding sleep problem in RLS, it is quite common. If sleep is the only problem, then, Stilnox (zolpidem sustained release) can ensure 6-8 hours of sleep. If there is added anxiety, then, I prefer benzodiazepines such as clonazepam or alprazolam.

I hope it helps. Please get back if you have any more queries.

Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology) XXXXXXX Consultant Neurologist