Restless legs syndrome

Hi @jroberts826, Welcome to Connect. You are not alone with your question. Check these discussions out to learn what others have shared:
--- Restless leg syndrome is affecting my sleep: What helps you?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/restless-leg-symdrome/
--- Is restless leg (RLS) related to seratonin syndrome? Tips for relief?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/restless-leg-syndrome-3/

Have you been diagnosed with restless leg syndrome? How long have you had the symptoms?

Inderal/propranolol, 40 mg 2 x/day worked for me.

When did you start taking propranolol?

How did you hear about it?

I took it for 1 yr, starting at the dose in my comment above. Restless legs resolved in a few days, but active tremors, mostly in the hands, persisted, tho they less severe after starting propranolol. As with all drugs, there can be side effects, tho I had none; to the contrary, the beta blocker may have calmed my overactive sympathetic nervous system. Anyhow, I reduced the dose 3 or 4 times, once having to reup it due to a slight increase in tremors. I discontinued it after 1 yr of use, altho my dose was like 5 mg/day. It's very important to taper off, not stop taking inderal or propranolol abruptly.

I read about inderal/propranolol online, either the Mayo or CLE clinic website. It was at the start of covid and I couldn't get in to see a dr; I had to go to the local ER and ask for the drug by name.

I’ve used propranolol in the past to steady nerves before speaking.

My husband has (sadly) tried all of the agonists with the expected result. He ended up taking oxycodene as a last resort, before it was even recommended.

I’ll be asking his PCP if this is an option.

Give your husband this site: https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1986-27957-001

I had 2 nights of agony with RLS. I'd used propranolol 40+ yrs earlier for public speaking too, so I knew that, at least back then, it worked for me and I didn't have side effects.

Not sure what you mean about agonists. Agonists and antagonists work on receptors of various neurotransmitters. I wandering well out of my lane here, but I'm inclined to think that my tremors and RLS were a product of an overactive sympathetic nervous system or underactive parasympathetic nervous system, so I'd be inclined to try an SNS antagonist or PNS agonist.

Anyhow, good luck to your and your husband.

I’ve never heard of propranolol used to treat RLS. I’m pleased that it’s giving you some relief. I’ll be asking our PCP if he thinks it’ll help. Thanks

Ugh, that feeling when your legs just won't settle down at night is the worst. I'm fairly new here on Connect, but I've dealt with RLS for years myself, so I really get it.

For me, sometimes just getting up and walking around for a minute helps, or doing some gentle stretches before bed. A warm bath can also be really soothing. What helps one person doesn't always help another, of course, but these are a few things that have made a difference for me.

Also, have you talked to your doctor about getting your iron and ferritin levels checked? So many RLS specialists like to see ferritin levels higher than what's considered "normal" on a standard lab report. It's definitely worth discussing the actual number with your doctor.

https://www.droracle.ai/articles/626444/is-propranolol-beta-blocker-effective-for-treating-restless-legs
Please--propranolol is not appropriate for RLS.

One of our RLS posters mentioned not having any RLS symptoms while she was having chemotherapy. I had the same experience.

So, is chemotherapy a good idea to treat RLS? Absolutely not!

Medication needs to be viewed from a risks vs benefits standpoint as well as efficacy. Just because something may "work" doesn't mean it should be used for something. Side effects are also a consideration.

It looks like propranolol can cause worsening of RLS symptoms. None of us need that.

Hi @stayalivesarah, I totally get what you mean about those restless legs. It's truly the worst feeling. I've dealt with RLS for years too, and those little things like walking or a warm bath really can make a difference sometimes.

But you're so right about the iron and ferritin levels. That's such an important point. My doctor (and I've heard from so many others) always wants to see ferritin levels much higher than what the lab calls 'normal'. It's definitely worth discussing your actual number with your doctor and not just the 'in range' checkmark.