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Restless Legs Syndrome

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RLS and antidepressants

Bruxelles profile image
29 Replies

Hello,

I am afraid to take these antidepressants as they may have an effect on my legs. Someone, I think her name was Sue named two that don’t effectRLS. I am going to Dr. Later but ca t find the post.Has anyone got any idea of which antidepressants won’t increaseRLS please.

Have a nice day

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Bruxelles profile image
Bruxelles
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29 Replies
Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1

Buproprion/ Welbutrin seems to be ok.

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg

Wellbutrin ( Bupropion) & trazodone are safe anti depressants. All SNRI and SSRI anti depressants worsen RLS. Sadly, your GP will not know this. Anti anxiety benzodiazepines are RLS safe but lose effectiveness long term.Also sedating anti histamines worsen RLS.

Good luck.

If GP wants to learn about RLS refer them to the Mayo Clinic Algorithm which contains the latest updated info on RLS, including that dopamine agonists are no longer first line treatment.

mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson

As stated by others, wellbutrin and trazodone.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson

Have you had your ferritin tested?

Bruxelles profile image
Bruxelles in reply toSueJohnson

Hello,Yes and it’s low 75. I am seeing my Dr. This afternoon and need some antidepressants. I think it was you who gave names of 2 different ones that didn’t affect RLS. I asked the replacement Dr. about it and she prescribed something else saying she thought I was just a bit sad!This afternoon it will be my normal Dr. So more. Chance of getting what I need.

Could you tell me again the names please?

I can’t find your previous reply. I don’t know whether things are deleted after a while or whether it’s me that doesn’t know how to get around the site.

Hope you are well

. Thanks a lot.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson

Wellbutrin and Trazodone. If you are in the UK, Wellbutrin isn't available for RLS there. Since your ferritin is low the usual answer is if your ferritin is less than 75 then take 325 mg of ferrous sulfate with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption. Take it every other day preferably at night at least 1 hour before a meal or coffee and at least 2 hours after a meal or coffee since iron is absorbed better on an empty stomach. If you have problems with constipation switch to iron bisglycinate. If your ferritin is between 75 and 100 or if your transferrin saturation is below 20, you may need an iron infusion since iron isn't absorbed as well above 75. If you take magnesium take it at least 2 hours apart since it interferes with the absorption of iron. Don't take tumeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron. It takes several months for the iron tablets or iron infusion to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 3 months. In your case it would be best if you can get an iron infusion. If you can't then take the iron tables. You can take 2 together.

Bruxelles profile image
Bruxelles in reply toSueJohnson

Hi Sue, Thankyou so much for all the info. A very unsuccessful visit to Dr.!He didn’t seem to know what I was talking about!!! I will start taking an iron supplement. My transferrin was 3.55 (measured here as g/L,

normal considered between 2 and 3.60. My Dr is retiring soon, hopefully find one who knows a bit more about RLS.

Hope you have a restful night

DicCarlson profile image
DicCarlson in reply toBruxelles

More info about iron tests...

bloodtestsresults.com/iron-...

Covenant1962 profile image
Covenant1962 in reply toSueJohnson

Hi Sue, I was able to get a prescription for Bupropion under brand name Zyban. I live in the UK

Regards

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply toCovenant1962

Yes I have heard of a few people being able to get it, but my understanding is it is only approved for stopping smoking so most doctors won't prescribe it.

rmbroadh profile image
rmbroadh

Buspirone (Buspar)

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply tormbroadh

Is your RLS under control?

rmbroadh profile image
rmbroadh in reply toSueJohnson

It comes and goes. I use a CBD cream on my back before sleep and on legs if necessary. Trying to stop it before it starts. Usually helps

I never know what kind of a night it will be.

The Buspirone, according to what I've read does not trigger RLS. I just started and it takes a few weeks to kick in. Take with food 5mg AM and PM.

Have had no side effects at all.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply tormbroadh

Have you had your ferritin checked?

rmbroadh profile image
rmbroadh in reply toSueJohnson

No. But take an iron supplement.Will ask about ferritin check next time I see Doc.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply tormbroadh

Ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking your iron 48 hours before. Fast after midnight and have your test in the morning when your ferritin is lowest.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply tormbroadh

Have you thought about taking gabapentin which can completely eliminate your symptoms so you never have to wonder what kind of night it will be?

rmbroadh profile image
rmbroadh in reply toSueJohnson

Will ask about it. Thanks

sylsherbs profile image
sylsherbs in reply tormbroadh

Hi can to give me name of your CBD cream? I’ve been using one by Topikal here in Los Angeles but 1000mg $89.00.

rmbroadh profile image
rmbroadh in reply tosylsherbs

I'm in Florida and get it locally.But try the web site CBDDistilleries

I've gotten gummies from them and they don't seem over priced.

I use a broad spectrum cream (Docgreenwell.com. Don't know if he sells on line). Really works😊

rmbroadh profile image
rmbroadh in reply tormbroadh

$40 for a good sized jar.

sylsherbs profile image
sylsherbs in reply tormbroadh

Ty so much

Westann profile image
Westann

I used to take Zoloft but stopped over a year ago when the RLS got worse, and I learned about anti-depressants as a trigger. The depression didn't get worse so I stayed off the zoloft. A few weeks ago the depression got very much worse. Maybe its a coincidence, but I had been weaning off ropinerole during the time when the depression got bad. Now down to .5 mg from 2 mg. I educated my doc about RLS and asked for Wellbutrin (bupropion). Even gave her a copy of the Mayo clinic report. Since I started Wellbutrin 2-3 weeks ago, the RLS hasn't changed so it doesn't seem to be a trigger. And it is helping the depression so I'm sticking with it. And 900 gabapentin, splitting the dose as per the advice from Sue (which is also working better). Good luck, and thank you Sue.

Linnnie profile image
Linnnie

I was on Zoloft/sertraline for quite awhile even though RLS seemed to be worse while on it, and not as well-controlled with the gabapentin 600 mg I take before bed (along with Trazodone 50 mg for sleep). So I switched to Lexapro, and stopped the Zoloft, and it seems I have far fewer RLS “break-through” episodes on this new combo. I know Lexapro is a SSRI, but it doesn’t seem to affect me as much as Zoloft.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply toLinnnie

If it affects you at all, while not try trazodone which shouldn't affect you at all.

Linnnie profile image
Linnnie in reply toSueJohnson

I’m still taking Trazodone for sleep. 25mg-100mg is what is the range prescribed for sleep; any higher than that it loses that effect. I “need” the Lexapro for what it does for depression and anxiety, particularly the latter. If my RLS ever gets worse than my current mild symptoms, I’ll probably need to revisit my medication regimen.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply toLinnnie

Whoops I missed that you were already taking trazodone - I thought it was tramadol.

SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson in reply toLinnnie

You might want to increase the trazodone which treats depression and anxiety as well as insomnia.

981B profile image
981B

Hi, Definitely has an effect!!!I’ve recently just gone off a very mild anti depressant.

I now have no restless legs at all!

Hope this helps.

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