Restless Legs Syndrome and Zoloft.

[Rockercover]

I've been on and off Zoloft for years. I find it wonderful. But earlier this year I found myself with restless legs. Awful. So i suspected it was Zoloft and got off it. Recently I had a really stressful time, I was mobbed by anxiety and felt too depressed so I went back on it. It was such a relief. But last night my legs were so crawly coming home with my husband- in the car for an hour was almost unbearable. Then this evening while hanging out with friends- the same thing. Your posts have been very helpful. Now I know it must be the Zoloft for sure. What a bummer though! Zoloft is such a helpful drug to live a normal life.

[Joolsg]

You are absolutely right. Zoloft ( sertraline) causes/ exacerbates RLS.

Trazodone is a safe anti depressant - doesn’t make RLS worse.

Hope you manage to find something that works soon.

[Hidden]

Rockercover,

Hi! I know exactly what you mean. It’s a real dilemma when what you need to take can exacerbate another condition. I am on an antidepressant that my neurologist wants me off of for the sake of the RLS, but I depend on it to make me happy.

[nightdancer]

It is an SSRI and is on the "Avoid" list for RLS. The SSRI's and the tricyclics are the WORST drugs someone with RLS can be on. I have been on both and the tricyclic Amitriptyline was the only time I really wanted to OFF myself. This is one thing we all have to do, and advocate for ourselves. learn the "avoid list". It can literally save your life. Antidepressants that are safe are few and far between. Trazadone helps promote sleep, Wellbutrin is another safe one. I have found in my personal experience, and in others in my groups, Mirtazapine CAN be a safe one. Some people cannot take it, but most that I know, and I am on a relatively high dose, have no issues with it. other than those 2, any other actual antidepressants can be your downfall.