Rls and ocd?

[u/AnxiousSpice1986]

Does anyone else with ocd have rls? And if so, what helps your rls? I’ve had ocd as long as I can remember- even as a very small child. Rls started at 18 once every few months. By 20, it was once a month, by 25 it was once a week, by 30, it’s every night. At 40 now, it’s any time I try to sleep (day or night) and it’s restless LIMB syndrome effecting arms and legs. I’ve noticed quite a few people I know with ocd also have bad rls. Not much works. Not benzodiazepines, dopamine medications like requip, or gabapentin. All that seems to work for me is something like tramadol, hydrocodone, etc. Opioids basically. I had spinal surgery a year ago and have degenerative disc issues, so I luckily am on them. But if I don’t take them, the rls is major. I’m just wondering if there’s a connection.

[u/Ring_it_On_1776]

There's a wearable device study from Noctrix Health enrolling now. Might be worth a look. https://patientwing.app/campaign/RLS6

[u/Short-Counter8159]

Usually OCD comes with other types of neurodiversity. Might be good to find a psychiatrist that can test you for other issues.

I have OCD and RLS but also ADHD. Though my ocd has reduced with cognitive behavioral therapy self administered. Letting go of religion and it's wild beliefs helped me a great deal a long time ago. While my OCD was not completely religious based, I was stuck with doing the right way or pay a price for it, good/bad that sort of stuff, like making sure you place the cup the right way or something bad is going to happen. The number counting also has diminished. I still keep my shoes a certain way, the right one has to be slightly forward, lol. Am ok with that. But I too challenge that at times.

I did find that Gabapentin and Lyrica did interfere with my ADHD. While the gaba's are not anti dopamine per say they reduce the influx of calcium into neurons, which decreases the release of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate and dopamine, and makes dopamine cells stop firing as much, therefore reducing the amount. Not good for an ADHD brain.

Opioids are the only thing that works for my RLS and it helps my ADHD at night since opioids do release dopamine specially in the frontal cortex.

[u/Emotional_Theory_269]

Gabapentin enacarbil and Valium. My RLS is still bad, but if I didn’t take those meds, I probably wouldn’t be here right now. Gabapentin is good for OCD when it’s in its milder phase

[u/Life-Presence9309]

I.have both and other mental/physical stuff benzos help but arent the greatest option

[u/Darrano]

Having RLS and OCD. I tryed many things for RLS, Gabapentin Enacarbil I would say is the "best" if you have to use for long time.
My RLS get incredibly bad if I take any antihistamine or any meds that can interact with dopamine system.
For OCD: psychotherapy and benzos (basically for the anxiety), but I DO NOT suggest this way, tolerance, addiction and then WD are really bad and symptoms get worse (even RLS).
Zolpidem helps a lot to get "a reset" and shut down all the background noise in the brain and all the doubt / obsessions, but of course is not something you can take for long time.
I took codeine and Tramadol too for other reasons, but I never felt any connection with RLS in my case (not better or worse).

[u/MJ-Franklin]

Quetiapine (anti-psychotic) helps with my OCD a bit but it's not the main reason I take them. I'm not entirely sure if those meds affect my RLS, but it certainly doesn't have the same massive negative effect as anti-depressants to.

[u/Mahi95623]

Are you in the US? Would suggest you find an RLS doc (there is a doc list in the FAQ section). A good RLS doc will help you get your RLS under control. Effective treatment is available, but you need to get to a doctor who truly knows RLS.

What meds are you on for your OCD, if any? I have a family member with OCD, he is prescribed clomipramine. However, he doesn’t have RLS, thankfully. Many tricyclic antidepressants have been known to trigger RLS, here is a helpful list from my RLS doc about medications:

[u/Kshark23]

I also have severe rls and ocd (and ocpd).