Has anyone tried Vitalcalm for restless legs?

[RestlessOwl]

My GP has just prescribed fluoxetine for menopausal hot flushes which I now realise is Prozac. I found that it may exacerbate RLS which she knows I suffer from! While researching this I came across Vitalcalm which though expensive seems to have some good reviews. Just wondered if anyone had tried it.

[Tiredparent Restless Leg Syndrome]

Vitacalm has been discussed on the forum previously and it is generally thought that it is of little or no benefit. People have had little luck establishing what is in the product and Vitacalm salesmen have previously used aggressive selling techniques which have annoyed people! Have you googled it?

[Hidden]

Do not take the fluoxetine! Why does your GP prescribed an antidepressive for menopausal flushes? Sounds totally crazy.

Try to find something better and something that does not affect RLS in a bad way if you cannot stand the flushes.

[Jaynielynne in reply to Hidden]

They usually prescribe that for the mood swings of Menopause.

[toolcreep]

I take fluoxetine as well....is it true that this can increase the severity of RLS??

[Hidden in reply to toolcreep]

Yes it can, nearly all anti-depressants can make RLS worse. Look at this good website go to the treatment page and scroll down you will see a list of anti-depressants which can for most make RLS worse. rlshelp.org It also says, what other meds and food and drink etc which can make things worse.

[Jaynielynne in reply to Hidden]

Good going on the information Elisse. We have to know this stuff because doctors don't. They are still taking it in that RLS is a real

disease and they know of 2 medicines to try if patients complain of it according to my doctor. We have to educate them.

[Hidden in reply to Jaynielynne]

Some doctors are still ignorant regarding RLS, some know more than others. I have a great doctor who knows about RLS, he has allowed me to try ALL the meds that are available on the NHS for RLS + the off label ones. You have to have a good doctor who will work with you on this condition.

[cumoneileen]

Well, Well, I have also been taking Fluoxetine for hot flushes and only reading this I realise maybe that is why my medication for RLS has not been working, I did not connect the Fluoxetine to my Ropinerole. I only had a months supply( got about 4) left .Ropinerole has been good for me until I started Fluoxetine. was going to see GP. to ask why RLS. tabs had stopped working. Will wait and see now.(a different GP gave prescription for Fluoxetine) can't get to see same GP, No continuity in care!!!!

[RestlessOwl]

Thanks so much for all your helpful comments. I was very surprised when I realised the GP had given me something for hot flushes that causes so many possible side-effects. I read in the leaflet that fluoxetine may exacerbate RLS. I feel annoyed that I paid for it before reading up on it. It just shows me how we have to research our conditions so carefully. I'd rather try to cope with the flushes for now and look for alternative solutions that won't affect my twitchy legs and arms! think this forum is brilliant. I read it nearly every day.

[bvlgari]

I bought vital calm years ago desperate for some kind of help and it was a waste of money did absolutely nothing to help me R.L.S. x

[Carowind]

I was prescribed 3 x 300mg daily gabapentin for RLS last year. Not only did it cause weight gain but I also had irregular bouts of vomiting at night for which no cause could be found. I suspected the drug was the cause and so have reduced it to 1 x 300mg at night and so far there's been no more attacks and no more weight gain. To help sleep I find Morello cherry capsules good and non addictive (obtainable from a well-known health food store).