RLS for years

[hudson48]

Brenda Fiet I had awful time was gone nuproxen wow it made me ill side effects bad increased RLS and deep depression came off went on Ametriptilene great result since it's a nerve drug only rare do I get it try see GP for help

[Kaarina Administrator]

Hi Brenda,

Amitriptyline is a drug that 99% of RLS sufferers cannot tolerate as it makes their RLS much worse. It is listed as one of the Medications to Avoid on the RLS-UK website rls-uk.org/treatment/ but if it suits you then that is great and you must be one of the lucky people in the 1% category. Long may that last for you too.

[hudson48 in reply to Kaarina]

I am shocked at that as the web site I went in sujest that drug my G P agreeded but I sleep very little most time as shift worker all my life now retired can't change but couldn't bear RSL I even wanted to die no not dramatic just so low night after night I feared my bed Indo walk six miles a day if possible that does. Help but no cure known but I do worry over drugs I take can you tell me why it's not recommended

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to hudson48]

Hi again, all I know is what I have learned from other RLS sufferers on this forum and that it is listed on the RLS-UK website as a medication to avoid for most RLS sufferers because it can aggravate symptoms. As this does not appear to be happening to you that is good. Have you looked at the link? Perhaps you are taking other meds or OTC meds that can make RLS symptoms worse.

[hudson48 in reply to Kaarina]

Thank you have you tried it would you I did not looked back it's a drug used in mental health too

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to hudson48]

Yes, in higher dosages it is used as an anti-depressant and in lower dosages for quite a few ailments.

I was prescribed amitriptyline (a low dosage) for a short while (not for RLS) and it gave me no side effects so I am also one of the 1% for which it did not affect my RLS.

[hudson48 in reply to Kaarina]

I take 10 mg each night dare not run out it's almost a obsession I scared it come back I at my lowest had it in arms hands so depressed I broke down at GP for help

[hudson48 in reply to Kaarina]

What do you mean otc I take many drugs no choice thyroid issues cancer ins so have to have pre drugs it's so confusing we all the same but no definite help

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to hudson48]

Hi again hudson48,

OTC means "over the counter - non prescription drugs". I have taken thyroxine for 50 years, along with some other prescribed drugs over the years, no choice for me either .

You are taking a very low dosage at 10mg so do not worry about taking the amitriptyline as it is not making your RLS worse. It is a great little drug with many uses and if it keeps your RLS symptoms at bay continue to take is as you have been doing. Nothing wrong with that at all.

[hudson48]

Thank you again I started on 5mg but no good Dr said 20 mg the highest you can go so far so good old age no fun

[Ttwlr]

I take this at times when it's really bad, knocks me right out, I take them 2 hours before bed, only thing is, once awake it makes me feel tired all day. But it Does work.

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Ttwlr]

Hi Ttwir,

You can try taking the amitriptyline earlier than two hours before you go to bed,. That may help with the tiredness the next day. That was what I was told anyway when I was on a course of them for a relatively short while.

[hudson48]

Why did you only take for short period of time was it for RLS or not I know if I ran out it would be back that night at times now if I wake I sense a slight tinge of it as I take other drugs prescribed for long term it's gone on repeat pre for me. So I okay now no panic attacks