Does anyone here have both depression alongside RLS and/or PLMS? I'm thinking of the depression itself, not side-effects of medications for depression that exacerbate RLS/PLMS such as the Sertraline/Zoloft that I had to stop taking because of worsened RLS.
Which do you think comes first?
How are you coping?
In my case, I think the RLS makes my depressed and anxious, but that is just me. I took zoloft for many years but stopped when I retired due to being on so many other medications, I just wanted to stop some of the drugs. I cope by exercise and trying to be more social.
I’ve never suffered depression in my life until I went through Augmentation and withdrawal from Ropinirole. That nearly finished me off.
The disturbed night’s since then and the search for the right combination of meds/ minerals etc to control RLS has made me depressed.
So, I think it’s different for everyone.
However, I do notice RLS is worse if I’m down or stressed. So I’ve started mindfulness and learning to accept my RLS and it has definitely helped.
This is a very unique question, as everyone is different and there is no such thing as “which comes first”. Some never get depressed and some do. For those who do, there are many ways in which depression can come about. I was diagnosed with depression long before I was diagnosed with RLS.
I have my good days and my bad days. I cope by making a conscious effort to take care of myself, whether that be by keeping doctor appointments, going to the gym, reading a good book, going to a café so I can be around people, etc. I also lean on my husband for support.
Thank you all for your input.
For some info on my case, my main concern is PLMS as that is a potential cause of my excessive daytime sleepiness and the mental weights that IMO are the main cause of my depression. The RLS is irritating, but for now is something I could live with without drugs. I did have sleep apnoea, with mild traditional apnoea and more significant central apnoea (I stop breathing due to some brain glitch), but an auto-CPAP sorted that; a sleep study showed significant PLMS that Gabapentin helps little. My RLS came after my depression hit, but I had mild signs for a long time beforehand.
I don't like to take drugs and, so far, I'm pretty resistant to depression ones, which is why I'm not rushing to replace the Sertraline that made my RLS excruciating. I exercise well and am social to a degree, doing something everyday with my wife and/or social groups, but my feeling horrible, particularly in evenings, limits what I can do.
I am thinking of going back to the specialist and asking for more powerful drugs such as the Dopamine agonists and starting a separate thread on that once I've done my research.
What is PLMS?
Periodic Leg Movement Syndrome, effectively restless legs whilst sleeping. A large proportion of people with RLS have it. It may occur without RLS.
Adding onto what StillStriving says about Periodic Limb Movement during Sleep (PLMS):
-also referred to as Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD)
-consists of unconcious leg movements that occur every 20-40 seconds
-although having Excessive Daytime Sleepiness (EDS) is a «trigger phrase» for suspicion of having this, a polysomnography (in-lab sleep study) is the only way to diagnose it.
I have both chronic depression and RLS. I take Pristiq for the depression and Ropinerole for the RLS. They do not conflict and I have significant relief from both.
Joining up the dots. Have you tried reducing your sugar intake? The reason I ask is because it has been found recently that depression can often be treated by taking anti inflammatory medication. Sugar is an inflammatory food, and I have found that, since I stopped eating sweet foods, I have all but cured my RLS. The only times I have suffered recently is after a late evening snack of a high carbohydrate snack like chips. (the carbohydrates are easily converted by the body into glucose (blood sugar))
Wow that’s an interesting idea. I bet your right. I had a lot of carbs recently
Thanks. I'm sure that too much sugar isn't the cause in my case. I've been a healthy eater for as long as I can remember and minimise my intake of sugary foods such as fizzy drinks, sweets and other sugary foods. I have also been on an elimination diet without identifying any effects.
I'm a healthy eater, but I suffered last night after having a few sips of orange juice about an hour before going to bed.
I have both and did not get diagnosed with rls until two years ago but I suspect I’ve ha sir my whole life and depression as well. Not sure what came first. The chemical imbalance is probably the same for both and is what causes both for me
What are your views on the chemical imbalance and how have you got on with treating it?
I have both. It’s hard to manage because depression meds can make restless leg worse. My restless leg got pretty unbearable after I had babies which is when I started medication for restless leg. I’m still having a tough time and the stress seems to have aggravated the depression and anxiety. All you can do is keep trying to find what works for you and try and keep a semblance of sanity. Right there with you. Good luck!
Thank you. Good luck to you too.
Yep! Both
RLS, PLMS or Rem Sleep Disorder
Anxiety and RLS 
Depression and RLS - chicken and egg?
Sertraline and RLS
Dipyridamole, Adenosine and RLS (Oh My)
