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How Can Restless Legs Syndrome In An Elderly Person Be Treated?
Question: My 87 year old father suffers from restless legs. He had this problem for many years. It used to bother him mostly at night. Now he has restless legs - tight, irritable leg muscles, and sometimes involuntary twitching, during the day as well. At night it reduces the quality of his sleep, and now that he also experiences it during the day, it discourages him from being as active as he used to be.
Brief Answer:
Gabapentin or Pregabalin may be tried.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can at times be difficult to treat as not all patients respond well to treatment. I wish you had provided some more information on the medication given by the doctor. I am assuming it is a dopa agonist medication. While generally used for Parkinson's they are also first line treatment for RLS. It doesn't mean he has Parkinson's, the fact that he hasn't Parkinson's doesn't mean medication should not be prescribes. As I said it is the first option and a full try should be given before interrupting it.
If it really is not effective and/or causes side effects then there are some other options which may be tried. One possibility would be the use of an anticonvulsant like Gabapentin or Pregabalin. Another possibility would be a medication called Clonidine which is also used as a second line option.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Gabapentin or Pregabalin may be tried.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can at times be difficult to treat as not all patients respond well to treatment. I wish you had provided some more information on the medication given by the doctor. I am assuming it is a dopa agonist medication. While generally used for Parkinson's they are also first line treatment for RLS. It doesn't mean he has Parkinson's, the fact that he hasn't Parkinson's doesn't mean medication should not be prescribes. As I said it is the first option and a full try should be given before interrupting it.
If it really is not effective and/or causes side effects then there are some other options which may be tried. One possibility would be the use of an anticonvulsant like Gabapentin or Pregabalin. Another possibility would be a medication called Clonidine which is also used as a second line option.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What is the cause of RLS?
Could an electrolyte imbalance exacerbate it, or a nerve condition that may respond to dietary change, or acupuncture?
Could it have anything to do with the condition of his lumbar spine, which has three deteriorating vertebrae, one of which has been cracked and healed on its own (too late for surgery) two years ago?
Could an electrolyte imbalance exacerbate it, or a nerve condition that may respond to dietary change, or acupuncture?
Could it have anything to do with the condition of his lumbar spine, which has three deteriorating vertebrae, one of which has been cracked and healed on its own (too late for surgery) two years ago?
Brief Answer:
As follows
Detailed Answer:
Unfortunately the cause of RLS is not well known. In some cases it has been noted to be related to iron deficiency, but I noticed that your father already tried iron (ferrous gluconate). Other possible causes could be folate deficiency, magnesium deficiency, diabetes, kidney disease, low thyroid function, rheumatoid arthritis. Some medications may cause it as well. But as I said in most cases it's idiopathic, the cause is unknown, thought to be due to a deficit in the dopamine pathways in the brain (that is why medication used for Parinson is used).
So if the above issues have been tested for and excluded it is not a question of changing the diet or electrolyte imbalance.
As for acupuncture, it is part of alternative medicine, so not well studied for this condition. It can be tried as it is safe, but as I said there is no evidence for or against its use.
The lumbar spine issues may have something to do if there is nerve compression and neuropathy. In order to determine that imaging and nerve conduction studies tests have to be conducted though.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
As follows
Detailed Answer:
Unfortunately the cause of RLS is not well known. In some cases it has been noted to be related to iron deficiency, but I noticed that your father already tried iron (ferrous gluconate). Other possible causes could be folate deficiency, magnesium deficiency, diabetes, kidney disease, low thyroid function, rheumatoid arthritis. Some medications may cause it as well. But as I said in most cases it's idiopathic, the cause is unknown, thought to be due to a deficit in the dopamine pathways in the brain (that is why medication used for Parinson is used).
So if the above issues have been tested for and excluded it is not a question of changing the diet or electrolyte imbalance.
As for acupuncture, it is part of alternative medicine, so not well studied for this condition. It can be tried as it is safe, but as I said there is no evidence for or against its use.
The lumbar spine issues may have something to do if there is nerve compression and neuropathy. In order to determine that imaging and nerve conduction studies tests have to be conducted though.
Let me know if I can further assist you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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