R.L.S. and Amitriptyline.

[bvlgari]

I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and the Consultant Rheumatologist has given me a prescription for Amitriptyline,not for depression but for pain and to help me sleep, but I am worried they will make my R.L.S go berserk! If anyone can help I would really appreciate it.Thanks.

[Annieapple]

You can only try but it affects the majority of people with RLS. It's on the official taboo list of drugs for RLS so your Consultant can look it up & prescribe something else.

[Hidden]

I would avoid that med if it was me.... Here is the NHS Choices link for Fibro and treatments, there are other meds which you can try which are not anti-depressants.

nhs.uk/Conditions/Fibromyal...

[bvlgari]

Thanks both,will take a look at alternative meds.

[jimeka]

Morning, I was put on Amitriptyline for pain after a major op. The side effects were not pleasant, and I weaned myself off it. It did not help the RLS at all, but I know all of our bodies are different. It made me put weight on, but the pramepexole does that as well. It did help in the sleep department, but I am sure there are better things to make you sleep. I would research what is best to take for pain with RLS. Jimeka

[Kaarina Administrator]

Amitriptyline is prescribed for so many symptoms. I used it for about a year to slow my bowel down. I had diarrhoea for a long period of time, that was affecting my quality of life. I saw a consultant, had tests and was prescribed this drug. I suffer from RLS intermittently and it did not appear to make mine any worse. I appear to be in the minority.

Good for you for posing the question here. You know more than your rheumy! No doubt he was aware you suffered with RLS too.

[beady3 in reply to Kaarina]

I know this is an old letter but I have just been given Amatriptaline for rls my doc soon told me it was rubbish that people say it's no good well my first night was horrendous never slept and pain was awful I rang and told him what I had been like he said stick it out because it needs a week to build up so that is what I am doing x

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to beady3]

Amitriptyline is a good drug Beady for many conditions but unfortunately for the majority of RLS sufferers it aggravates the condition.

It is listed on the RLS-UK website as a medication to avoid.

I hope you can do as your doctor wishes and stick with it for a week after your horrendous night.

[Fredanderson in reply to beady3]

Unfortunately,it will not work.

[pineapple_head]

I was on amytriptiline for a couple of years and I think that my RLS was worse then. That's all I can say about it. I have stopped taking it and feeling a lot better for it.

[Jumpey]

Hi,tried this years ago at the suggestion of a GP who said she'd known other people get respite from RLS with this drug. I only used it 1 night- my legs were horrendous!

[glamourcat]

I was given Amitriptyline for depression and it definitely made my legs much worse, so came off it and tried numerous anti depressants, as they all seem to have side effects but the best one I found to be for me personally was Citalopram, it is not perfect but it definitely works for depression and it did not make my legs any worse. So this might be worth a try. Obviously we are all unique and can react in different ways. Good luck.

[glamourcat in reply to glamourcat]

Yes , same for me. Amitripyline made my Restless Legs much worse and the only anti depressant that worked for me was Citalopram.

[Pete-repete]

I have used Amitriptyline for Migraines some 30 years ago. It was about the only thing then that was recommended other than pain med then. I did not start getting RLS until about 10 years ago. So i would not blame it for my RLS. My son purchased a Creme for me from Amazon, "Mirace Plus" made by Concept Laboratories Inc. I have not used it long but i am seeing some goods results. It is labeled RESTLESS LEGS CALMING CREME. Too early to tell long term results.

[Jaynielynne in reply to Pete-repete]

Is that a thick cream? I've been using eucerin from Amazon. It's extra

thick so for me, it stays on and makes my legs feel really soft but it

doesn't seem to help me for rls. People said that it did work for them

in a meeting that I went to on RLS. Since that one is made for RLS,

I might try it. Keep me posted so I can tell my group of people.

[Pete-repete in reply to Jaynielynne]

It is dispensed with a "Pump" and is not thick. the Jury is still out on it's effectiveness but looks promising. I will update later.Their Webb is conceptlabs.org. It smell good.

[JohnBeal in reply to Pete-repete]

I have been prescribed doublebase cream and Gabapentin for my RLS. The cream comes in a pump dispenser.The cream definitely stops my lower legs and ankles from itching etc

[Stormynight63]

I have degenerative disc disease that has caused lasting nerve damage to my left leg. I was on opioids but was taken off narcs and given elavil 75mg at night. My leg now goes berserk at night.

I am going to stop taking it and see what happens.

[Fredanderson]

Amitriptyline doesn't work very well. Tramadol is best,sometimes Hazleton works sometimes.

[Distress5]

I take 10ml of Amatriptaline for sleep. I struggle with PLMD & RLS. While it did stir up my RLS and probably my PLMD, after doing nightly leg stretches, it helped and I am able to tolerate the Amatriptaline and sleep a little better. I don’t think anything above 10ml could be tolerated however.