Hi everyone. Does long term use of ss... - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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Hi everyone. Does long term use of ssri cause rls? Does caffeine have a negative impact? Does magnesium help? Thanks for taking time x

Jumbi profile image
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Jumbi
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kelka profile image
kelka

As far as I know, SSRI can trigger rls. So can some antipsychotic, antihistamines and over the counter decongestantants, such as sudafed ( I think its the pseudoepephrine so?).

Coffee can be a trigger, its a sensible thing to cut out. I still have a coffee in the morning, as long as I'm not getting daytime symptoms and the evening stuff is managed.

I take magnesium and find its helps sleep as long as my symptoms are managed enough to be sleeping. It makes sleep more restful.

thedragon profile image
thedragon

Hi jumbi....in my experience, ssri,s have not caused my rls, as I have suffered with it for 40+ years. But starting an ssri HAS made my symptoms much worse. Caffeine has no effect whatever and I have never found that magnesium tablets or sprays help at all. Hope this helps

Jumbi profile image
Jumbi in reply tothedragon

Thanks for your response. I'm kind of stuck on ssri and it's a permanent preventative medicine so I just hope it doesn't make it gradually worse

Jaynielynne profile image
Jaynielynne

I wouldn't recommend starting up a ssri if you know that you have rls.

It would be the first thing that I would look at before starting a medicine

for rls. Lots of times it's the ssri that causes it.

Jumbi profile image
Jumbi in reply toJaynielynne

I have ssri as a preventative medicine and will do so for rest of my life so bit concerned that the rls will worsen. Thanks for your reply

thedragon profile image
thedragon in reply toJumbi

In my experience, it was a sudden onset of worsening symptoms, not gradual. I did try to change to an snri to see if that would be better. I had to gradually come off the ssri, and have a few days off then gradually start the snri. During this time my rls was much better and I thought I'd won! But the new anti d didn't work as well for me so I had to do it all again and swap back. It was a nasty time. So rls or depression....rock and a hard place. I know I will be on anti depressants for long term too. Good luck!!!

Jumbi profile image
Jumbi in reply tothedragon

Thanks for your message. What does the ssri do for you that means it's a long term thing? You can tell me to mind my own but do you just revert to insomnia or anxiety or depression or all?

thedragon profile image
thedragon in reply toJumbi

No problem ..I've always struggled with "life' basically. A couple of years ago too many things happened at once and rls was becoming unbearable too. I broke down at the docs and he forcefully suggested anti d. They have made a complete difference to the way I cope, feel, think , everything. I now feel like the person I always should have been. So I'm certain I have a genetic chemical imbalance problem.

thedragon profile image
thedragon in reply toJaynielynne

I understand what you mean but sometimes there is no choice. Even though the rls is worse, I can cope, before I couldn't cope with anything.

Jumbi profile image
Jumbi in reply tothedragon

Exactly! Tackle the bigger demon

Hopeless100 profile image
Hopeless100

well, caffeine is known to aggravate RLS , Iron is sometimes a cure.

thedragon profile image
thedragon in reply toHopeless100

Unfortunately I have never found a link with foodstuffs, excercise or anything. And I've tried them all!!!! Even soap in the bed!

Jumbi profile image
Jumbi in reply tothedragon

Hi there. I'm pretty much the same. That's why i have been on them for 20 years and I have tried it all even the soap in bed! Haha. Glad you feel so much better and yourself. I can empathise

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