New to Requip, been on Celexa

[MsParkins]

So have been taking Celexa for years 20mg per day, the higher 40mg dose has always caused RLS. As did missing doses. I must have this medication, changing isn't optional. I just went through a physical hell that ended with a script for Requip. I was so grateful for the relief, but I've felt tired and dizzy. I'm afraid to collect meds, but I'm afraid to experience what was happening prior to taking the Requip.

[marsha2306]

I was on 20 mg. Celexa for 8 years and then, out of the blue, I got RLS. I see a well known specialist at Hopkins and he advised me that Celexa really can make RLS worse. I weaned myself off in a month. The RLS improved immediately. I replaced it with 300 mg Wellbutrin ER (XL) and I’ve been ok for 3 years.

[involuntarydancer]

I don’t know anything about celexa but would suggest you get your serum ferritin checked to ensure it is over 100 (make sure to get the actual figure - not just that you are ‘normal’, ‘good’ Etc). If it is below 100 I would suggest taking an iron supplement or eating liver as there is a link between low iron and rls and raising levels results in improved symptoms for many.

In general be cautious with required and keep the dose low (I would not go above 1mg daily personally). Don’t be tempted to increase if it ceases to be effective at a previously effective dose - get an alternative treatment to boost the impact. This drug can be very effective against rls but eventually it can cause symptoms to worsen.

It might be worth emailing Dr Buchfuhrer (an rls expert who responds to email queries) about your situation. He is very knowledgeable. You find his details on his website rlshelp.org.

Good luck. I hope you find a workable solution.

[Hidden]

Celexa is a anti-depressant so i am surprised it didnt trigger off your RLS til you increased the dose to 40mgs. Does the 20mgs not help with your depression anymore. ? What dose of Requip have you been given to take ? You should have been given the starting dose of 0.25mgs. Was the hellish experience from taking the 40mgs of the Celexa.? Just trying to build a picture of what might be happening. I know people with depression HAVE to take that med but have you discussed with your doctor trying a different anti-depressant as a member has stated they did and was successful with the change.

[MsParkins]

Thank you all for the insight. No I did not increase the med, I stayed at 20mg but got a stomach virus and missed 2 Celexa doses. That's when the RLS went berserk. I mean crying, driving from ER to MD just to get seen Asap. I cannot change antidepressants. Anyone who has ever taken them will tell you, it is so hard to find the right one. I've taken others and the side effects are just too bad. I think it is a situation where although I seem to be sensitive to this med group, I still have to take it. So now I've had 2 nights of Requip and I cannot function. I feel dizzy, spaced out, tired, and anxious all at once. I just think it's too much.

[Hidden]

Again i am asking what dose is your Requip..? Ok , i know people with depression need to take a anti-depressant. If the Requip isnt agreeing with you then maybe to try a different dopamine med, there is Pramipexole or the Neupro Patch, all work similar, the patch works for 24hrs and has less % of causing augmention altho it can still happen. Others meds used for RLS are a low dose of Tramadol, or codeine , the there is meds like Gabapentin, Pregabalin. It can be trial and error to find which med will suit you. We have all been there trying different meds for RLS.

[Hidden]

Just to say that I recall when I first started on RLS medication some of the side effects were quite debilitating and I had to literally crawl up the stairs to go to bed!

Such effects can wear off as you get used to the medication, so it might be a matter of trial and error with different medications, but you need to give one a chance before changing to another.

I understand that depression is a terrible thing. It's not like a physical condition that you don't feel is a part of you, but does affect you. Depression feels as if is part of you.

that's part of the reason for it being so difficult to make rational decisions or choices when affected by depression. . It's also difficult to accept that there's never going to be a 100% perfect solution that's just going to fall into your lap.

I appreciate your physical and psychological dependence on Celexa and accept that others you've tried have side effects, but the Celexa is apparently making your RLS worse. That is a side effect.

In a "not 100%" world , which is worse, RLS or the other side effects of the other antidepressants you've tried? PLUS, have you tried them all?

The other thing is, and this is no criticism, do you need to depend on antidepressants for the rest of your life?

For most cases of mild to moderate depression there are psychological therapies nowadays that are just as effective as medication. The drawback being that they take time and some effort.

Perhaps this could help resolve your medication difficulties.