Hello all. I am writing about my 88 year old husband who has suffered from RLS for about 8 years....very severe. He has tried everything and is now on 7.25 mg of methadone plus three iron infusions in the past 12 months. . Those really helped but his ferretin levels are too high now for another infusion. Recently he has become depressed over this non-stop battle with RLS...especially since he has been unable to receive another iron infusion. (As I said, these really helped for about 4 months each time) So he was prescribed the only anti-depressant recommended for RLS suffers, Wellbutrin, about a week ago. It has been somewhat of a miracle. His RLS have all but DISAPPEARED. And honestly, he has a severe case. I am not sure of the words scientifically, but for some reason, the Wellbutrin lets the dopamine get into his brain. We are crossing our fingers that this will last. Nothing has had this effect on his RLS like this. And it seems to be a very mild drug.
Has anyone else had this kind of reaction with Wellbutrin?
Maybe this is something you might want to try. It was PURELY by accident that he tried this. None of his doctors ever mentioned this might have a positive effect. THere are a couple of references to Wellbutrin helping but very little info and I really had to dig deep. Like I said, it's only been about 9 days but it has been a wonderful 9 days!
I would be interested in what others have experienced.
Williesophie
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I am a new member and am considering trying Wellbutrin. Can’t get thru NHS in UK so am considering buying them privately as just cannot stand this problem any longer, RLS for many years and lack of sleep which has caused depression. So was interested in your story. I hope they will help me too, thanks.
We just bought some without insurance and was not very expensive here in USA. I hope it works for you. Like I said, it has been a miracle so far. However I have read some other posts here and it doesn't seem to do that for everyone. Good luck. Let me know!
Hi, my GP has flatly refused to prescribe me this, however I’m waiting on my neurologist with regard to having bupropion as I’ve had many antidepressants in the past that have had detrimental effects on my RLS. I do believe even with the drug being used as an anti smoking help that you would need a prescription for it. Best wishes
Thanks Blobby , I give up I really do! Have had another hellish night with 2 hours sleep. No one cares, gp’s have little knowledge and even the neurologist I saw didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. Happy Christmas and thanks for your reply.
It's horrible, I sympathise. Injystbspoke to the neuro secretary who told me..yes I do have a letter that's been recorded by the neuro but the secretary's are 3 weeks behind in letters! I politely enquired about the fact theres medication recommendations in the letter... speak to my GP.. who as ive said before refuses to prescribe me wellbutrin because he cant see how it would benefit me (according to the stuff hes read up on). I think most people on here with RLS and similar conditions who have GPs that have no empathy..just want to scream! I feel your weariness, the only drug I've managed to get sleep with !4hours! Is neupro patch and I'm sure as with all the drugs it's not one for every body. Best wishes to you
Wellbutrin is a brand name for Bupropion and should be available in the UK, branded as "Zyban". It appears to be recommended for helping people to quit smoking and is not licensed for depression.
However according to some sources you can buy it over the counter, (OTC), whereas as other sources say it has to be prescribed. Either way a GP will not be able to prescribe it for depression.
Apparently it can be prescribed for depression, off label, only by a consultant psychiatrist and only after 2 other antidepressants have been tried and failed.
Zyban comes as 150mg tablets. Maximum dose for depression is 300mg.
Apparently it's risky for elderly people to take it.
It can cause seizures.
I read that drug abusers in Canada are injecting it to get a cocaine high!
It is a noradrenaline/ dopamine reuptake inhibitor and hence may increase dopamine levels.
That is why it is safe for RLS and may possibly relieve RLS, but.won't be the same as a dopamine agonist.
Bupropion, branded as Wellbutrin in the USA is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor and hence increases dopamine levels. This could explain its effect for your husband.
However, since RLS is associated with a dysfunction of dopamine receptor sites rather than a lack of dopamine, it isn't prescribed for RLS.
I find it intriguing that Methadone doesn't work for your husband. Opiates are only recommended in the UK for refractory RLS. That is, RLS that hasn't responded to first line treatments.
The first line treatments here, are either a dopamine agonist or an alpha 2 delta ligand.
It does suggest though, that if Wellbutrin works for your husband then if he's never tried a dopamine agonist before, e.g. Mirapex then it may be effective for his RLS, more so than Wellbutrin.
Additionally, one of the risks of Wellbutrin is seizures. This suggests also, that if your hasn't tried an alpha 2 delta ligand before, then one may be effective for his RLS. They are anti-seizure drugs used for RLS with less long term risks than dopamine agonists.
Thanks for the info. My husband has tried a lot of the dopamine agonists...the Neuro patch, etc...and he has developed terrible augmentation from them. That is why we are so thrilled that the Wellbutrin is doing something that so far has "just hit the spot!" Another good night with no jumps! He is so lucky to be in such good health at 88 except for this RLS. I hope this might help others.
By the way, 7.25 mg methadone is not particularly high. If it becomes necessary it could be increased by his doctor. A very small increment may make all the difference.
On 5mg methadone I have the symptoms of RLS, on 6mg methadone I do not.
Thanks so much for the info. His doctor mentioned that, too. He has no side effects from the methadone...and so if the Wellbutrin doesn't continue to help, we will take that route. Good to know! At the moment, he is thrilled. We'll see! thanks
It is so good to hear a success story! Please give him my very best wishes. Perhaps he will be able to enjoy Christmas for the first time in a very long time.......
I'm curious about augmentation from Wellbutrin. Yours is the only post I've seen here that seems to hint at that...Can you say more? Did you not ever have RLS until you'd been on Wellbutrin for years? Thank you.
Hi...not sure what happened with Marsha. It does not sound like a cause/effect sort of thing. But there is no augmentation with Wellbutrin. I am not sure if the beneficial effect of Wellbutrin will dissipate over time, but it will not make the RLS worse as many dopamine drugs do.
I was prescribed Wellbutrin, RLS medicine and a break through movement medicine-15+ years ago. I have had many changes in the RLS meds, but no problem with Wellbutrin. Because of the higher suicide rate-lack of sleep and depression- it was recommended, from the beginning..
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