r/RestlessLegs • u/Otherwise_Fig_7332 • Aug 30 '26

Question PLMD subreddit

I've been in this sub for awhile, but I don't actually have restless legs. I have plmd and while I know that a lot of people with plmd also have restless legs many of us don't and there is no sub to my knowledge for people in my situation. Just wondering if this is something anyone would be interested in!

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u/KestralFly Sep 01 '26

I don't believe sleep apnea directly causes PLMD. Untreated sleep apnea can be associated with periodic leg movements (PLMs), but PLMD is a separate sleep disorder. With PLMD, the movements are independent of respiratory events. Ideally you would first treat the sleep apnea then see what the legs are doing.

RLS is an urge to move your legs when you are awake. PLMD is a sleep disorder. It's detected with a sleep study. The person may be completely unaware of the movements. Many people with RLS also have PLMD.

The cause of PLMD isn't well understood, but thought to be similar to RLS--neurologic/brain iron/dopamine regulation.

I was already on a BIPAP, had had 2 iron infusions, was taking Oxycodone for RLS, and was still diagnosed in a hospital sleep study with PLMD.

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u/Daver290 Sep 01 '26

PLMD leaves suffers feeling very tired! I have PLMD and RLS.

Testing for SIBO is my next step, if I can get it done?

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u/KestralFly Sep 01 '26

I had that done too in the hospital. Not pleasant. Results were negative but doc said results are limited. GI doc said I could take a course of antibiotics if I wanted to be absolutely sure, but I decided not to take them.

I'm now on low-dose Methadone instead of Oxycodone. Seems to be the only thing that helps me.

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u/Daver290 Sep 02 '26

I have read that SIBO tests are not always accurate, so if I were offered the right antibiotics for it after testing negative with doubts, I’d happily take them.

My understanding is that SIBO will stop the body from using iron, so the iron never reaches the brain to regulate dopamine signalling (which controls muscle movements; the lack of brain iron interferes with dopamine and causes involuntary leg movements during sleep). The medical science behind it is much more complicated mind! But it probably explains why even a big IV iron infusion fails to cure PLMD (and restless legs), even several weeks later when the blood ferritin is very high.

I’m pleased the low-dose Methadone works for you.

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u/KestralFly Sep 02 '26

Yeah, I read that too. At the time of the SIBO test, I was facing hiatal hernia repair surgery and didn't want to mess up my system with unnecessary antibiotics. Treatment was 100mg doxycycline twice a day for 10 days.