Hi after watching the program on rls I realised I wasn't the only one,so when I sit and rest usually about 8 my legs start like electric shocks that build up in my thigh then shoot down my leg which get worse when I go to bed,my partner said I kick all night wear holes in the bed sheets ect,so I can't go out to the cinema ect as when I relax it starts,I am now on anti depressants as it's making my life hell and I can't cope with the sleepless nights, so is there any cure or help I cam get?
Thanks jamie
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Lolabear1
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Hi Lolabear this is the criteria for RLS, irlssg.org/diagnostic-crite... It also sounds like you are suffering with plmd, periodic limb movement disorder, which happens while you are asleep. What is the name of your anti-depressant and most can actually make RLS worse. There are no cures, only treatments which can give relief, look at the treatments for RLS on rls-uk.org
Sertraline is a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI). SSRIs are known to exacerbate RLS symptoms.as Elisse mentions.
This could be creating a vicious circle for you, RLS causing depression, antidepressant making RLS worse, RLS making depression worse and so on.
SSRIs are also a standard treatment for insomnia as part of a mental.health problem, but are of little value for insomnia due to RLS.
Whoever prescribed you a SSRI knowing you have RLS and, apparently, not prescribing an appropriate effective RLS medicine was doing you no favour.
As Jools says, a more effective medication would be Pregabalin or Gabapentin. These are also particularly good for RLS sufferers with PLMD, which you have.
Although it might seem counterintuitive, I think you may benefit from stopping the Sertraline. Along with Pregabalin this would improve your RLS, help.you sleep better and hopefully lift your depression.
Do not stop.it suddenly if you decide to do that, you have to lower the dose gradually.
If your depression is part of a mental health problem, antifepressants, in the longer term are not a good solution. They should be used short term only. It would be much better to seek psychological therapy. Talking therapies can be useful and a CBT or Mindfulness programme even better.
A better option would have been to test your blood. Raising serum ferritin and serum iron should be the first step, then checking for triggers like anti histamines and Benadryl.
As Elisse has advised, read the links and check the name of the anti depressant- most cause RLS or make it worse ( but most doctors don’t even know this).
First line meds treatment now is pregabalin- it stops RLS and helps sleep.
You may relieve your RLS by raising iron and avoiding triggers.
Read EVERYTHING you can on this site as the more you know, the better the results you’ll get.
it looks like Elisse has given you the links to point you in the right direction ,I can only suggest that you check them out & see if theyre any help to you
There are medicines that can make RLS better. Definitely see a sleep doctor if you can and try them! They will check your blood for iron levels before prescribing anything which is the correct course.
Yes I find that too. If my rls comes on before pills begin to work I get up from sofa and sit up straight on a hard chair. It seems to originate from the base of my spine when it comes on and doing this, maybe changing posture works
I don't take any medication. There is a posture I take and hold, and it relieves it within about 3 mins. This involves pressure across the base of the spine, and I also believe
this is where mine originates from. Very interesting that you also sit up straight,
and I would also recommend sitting on something firm.
Ha, I didn’t know sitting up straight helped others, I thought it was just me, but like you said, it depends on the day, if the RLS kicks in before the meds, I’m doomed for about two hours and I just have to walk it out regardless of the time of night.
Thanks everyone,my doctor has not got a clue about any of it and has fobbed me off for years,and if it wasn't for that documentary I wouldn't of known it wasn't just me
So sorry you were feeling all alone in this, and with an unsympathetic doctor, too. All of the above advice is good and what I've been told. I'm now trying a TENS machine in hopes of getting off some of my meds. It's only the first day, so there's nothing to report yet. I noticed the comments about sitting straight. If I'm reclining in my Lazy-Boy chair and the RLS starts up, I've sometimes noticed placing my feet flat on the floor and sitting more erect also helps, as does a rocking chair, as it supplies movement but is a bit relaxing, too.
Oh boy antidepresents ...there is one antidepressant that works on the dopamine receptors if your on the ones that effect the serotonin levels in your brain it might make your rls worse. Psychiatrist know nothing about RLS...When they put me in the Nut House from depression the idiots gave me a new Serotonin reuptake inhibitor the pain in my legs was the worse I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. They were telling me i did not have RLS i told them here is the number of my Neurologist give him a call and tell him what it is I have. They were saying I was on to much Norco...Well they thought i was a drug addict and it was there job to save me from myself. What the fuck. They actually think I like being on any of this shit. All I know is if I did not have relief for RLS I would definately put a bullet in my brain. Check the antidepressant your on...it can make RLS a lot worse.
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