Restless leg syndrome a side effect of bupropion (wellbutrin)?

Posted by slkanowitz @slkanowitz, Sep 6 6:55pm

I have severe RLS and wonder if my bupropion I have taken for years is contributing to it. I recently reduced the dose because of palpitations and the RLS seems a bit better. I take carbidopa/ levadopa for the RLS and I wonder if excess dopamine is contributing to the palpitations as both drugs increase dopamine levels which stimulate the heart. Anyone else have RLS from bupropion?

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Barbara Sweet | @tbrksweetyahoocom | Sep 7 1:17am

No, I don't suffer from RLS, but both my husband and 39 y/⁰_o son with MS do. They swear in drinking a little dill pickle juice at bedtime...

samcal9977zz | @samcal9977zz | Sep 8 2:36am

Don't know if this will help. I have had HORRIBLE RLS. More like maniacal. Just hard to describe.

I just started on blood pressure medication. Doing Clonidine and some Benadryl, because I get a bit of an allergic reaction to the Clonidine.

RLS...just vanished.

I don't know what the connection is, but it just vanished.

leemoore13 | @leemoore13 | Sep 8 9:11am

Apparently Clonidine is often prescribed off label for tics, so thst might be the reason for the RLS disappearance. I was told that Benadryl or similar antihistamines make it worse

drwass2 | @drwass2 | Sep 8 2:09pm

I don't know if any of you have tried compression stockings.
I had bad RLS years ago and discovered by accident that the compression relieves the need to move. Still feel it a little, but the need to move is removed.
I have the creepy crawly kind of RLS. no pain.
Discovered this one day when I had myself wrapped up like a mummy using ace bandages.
Then thought, why not try the stockings, already recommended by my heart doctor for another condition. A lot of people won't try it right off, but surprisingly, those who did liked it.

slkanowitz | @slkanowitz | Sep 8 4:31pm

I’m on BP meds so may try the Clonidine instead. It’s my thighs that are the worst and I couldn’t get compression stockings on that high, but I do find wrapping a long heating pad around them tightly helps. When it’s cold I have laid a weighted blanket on my legs and that helps too. Probably anything soft and heavy would help, which simulates the compression. I appreciate your input!