RLS SEVERE

[Kittykat1234]

Hi there, I have recently started a medication called citalpram(celexa) and I noticed a few months ago I started getting signs of rls. It’s making me go crazy!! I try everything from warm baths, magnesium, massage my legs and I even take a sleeping pill or Ativan sometimes and I still can’t go to sleep. I need some help, or any suggestions on what to do in the meantime..

[Hidden]

Hi and welcome!

I see from your profile that you’ve only recently been diagnosed with RLS. I’m so sorry!

Some questions for you:

-Were you put on celexa before or after you started getting symptoms? (The reason I ask is because a lot of anti-depressants can exacerbate RLS).

-What (if anything) are you taking for your RLS?

[Kittykat1234 in reply to Hidden]

I was put on celexa before I even had symptoms, I have a lot of anxiety which is why the doctor put me on it. But now I can’t sleep at night. I have tried magnesium tables, massage and hot pack on my legs. Nothing seems to make that feeling of having to move them go away

[Hidden in reply to Kittykat1234]

I think it's highly likely that the citalopram has caused your RlS then unfortunately. You may be one of these people who is susceptible to RLS but only under certain circumstances. I was a UK GP and also have severe RLS ( familial ).

It's usually not a great idea to treat side effects of medicines unless it is essential you stay on the medicine and something like Pregabalin i think is less likely to work if your RLS is drug induced.

Also, though Pregabalin is also prescribed for anxiety in my experience it required high doses to have any effect. At one time I took Pregabalin for my RLS and I think it actually caused anxiety.I used to take it only at night so it could be that the levels in the blood stream fluctuated during the day.

If you possibly can I would reduce and then stop the Citaopram ( under guidance from your Dr ) as then you will know if it has caused your RLS or not once you're off it. It has to be cut down slowly so take care.

Then you can take stock and work out what to do next.

If you don't sleep you are likely to feel very anxious.

There may well be alternatives to the citalopram type of treatment. There are also no drug treatments which can often work.

BUT it is important that you don't follow what I suggest without discussing with your own medical advisors first as I obviously do not know your personal circumstances. I would never change treatments or stop them as a result of what someone has written on a forum, previous GP or not!

[Kaarina Administrator]

Hi Kittykat

Unfortunately citalpram (celexa) is listed as one of the medications to avoid as it can make symptoms worse. rls-uk.org/treatment/

Wellbutrin (not available in the UK) and Trazodone do not generally worsen RLS. Mirtazapine (Remeron) will worsen RLS for a small minority but not everyone.

[Kittykat1234 in reply to Kaarina]

Hi Kaarina, I have heard that as well, but I really didn’t want to have to switch my celexa, as I’ve tried switching to Zoloft and it didn’t work at all.

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Kittykat1234]

Zoloft is also one of the medications listed to avoid on the link above but as you say it did not work for you at all.

[Crochetnany in reply to Kittykat1234]

Hi I’m crochetnanny, while reading these posts I realized that my legs got much worse after starting celexa. My dr increased the dose saying it’s used for leg pain. It was then full body rls. Terrible. Lost the whole summer!!

Cutting down with noticeable relief😊

By the way, most of my problems started from Statins for cholesterol And then withdrawal from lexapro after 13 years. That was pure HELL. But that’s another blog. Good luck to you and I try to stay away from drugs as I always seem to get a reaction from them!!!!

[involuntarydancer]

Have you tried gabapentin or pregabalin? They can be effective against rls but my understanding is they have also been known to help with anxiety so you might get two birds with one stone.

[Kittykat1234 in reply to involuntarydancer]

This is my first time trying medication specifically for rls so no I haven’t

[thoughtful12]

I take 300mg of Gabapentin before bedtime. It allows me to sleep and I also notice that it helps with anxiety. It doesn't work for everybody but you could give it a try.

[marsha2306]

Celexa is bad, bad, bad for RLS. When I weaned off of it (had taken it for 10 yrs) my RLS improved.

[markren]

Hi there, I was put on a course of Citalapram awhile back and took myself off them as they triggered off RLS in me too. Doctor told me that SSRI's were obviously not suitable for me and offered me an older antidepressant called Nortriptyline which I didn't take. I had hoped coming off the Citalapram would automatically stop the RLS but unfortunately for me, it has never left me.