RLS and antidepressants

[Embroiderer]

I’d be grateful for advice on this, as I feel I would benefit from an antidepressant. I’ve had RLS for decades, getting gradually more of a nuisance in the last 10 years or so, and have taken Codeine 30mg for several years, which helps to an extent, sometimes! I know antidepressants make RLS worse. I took Sertraline for the first time several years ago , and managed to stay on it 5.5 months, then the RLS/PLMD got unbearable so I came off it. A year or so later I went through another low patch (often winter-related) and tried Citalopram, but the RLS immediately got worse so I stopped Citalopram after only a few days. I’m wondering whether I could try Sertraline again, and get away with a few months, or do people think that the RLS exacerbation would ‘kick in’ straight away?

[SueJohnson]

Wellbutrin and trazodone are both antidepressants that don't make RLS worse and sometimes help with RLS.

[SueJohnson]

30 mg of codeine is considered a starting dose. The usual effective dose for RLS is 60 to 100 mg. You might want to consider increasing it.

[Embroiderer in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you for both your comments Sue. I knew about Bupropion, not Trazodone, but was inclined to first try taking something (Sertraline) that I knew had helped in the past without side effects(other than worse RLS later on!)

[NJB71]

I tried trazodone as I was advised on this forum, and also by my gp that it was safe for RLS. Sadly that turned out not to be the case and I still suffered badly. It also did not agree with me me in other respects. I felt unsteady and dozy all the time, and was irritable and jumpy. I am now on Pregabalin which at last has resolved my RLS ( mostly) though my sleep is still not good. My mood is generally better too.

I found research which also discovered cases of RLS being caused by Trazodone.

I guess we’re all different and RLS is a very complicated and individual syndrome.

Good luck

[AmyMac5]

I also take codeine at night, 2 x 30mg (for years as co-codamol but more recently switched to codeine alone). This made a big difference in RLS and general pain levels, allowing me to get some sleep. Thanks to guidance on here, last year I started on gentle iron and upped my ferritin from 55 to about 120 which really helped get the RLS under control.

I'd previously been prescribed citalopram and other anti depressants which helped my mood to a degree but made RLS worse or had other side effects which were intolerable so I gave up on them. Thanks again to info on here, I asked to try Trazodone and for me it's been very helpful without affecting RLS at all and with minimal side effects. While taking it (50mg dose) I've cut back to one codeine tablet at night as the trazodone seems to benefit sleep too.

If your GP will prescribe it, I think it would be worth a try.

[Embroiderer in reply to AmyMac5]

Thank you Amy

[Jumpey]

I have no personal experience of antidepressants but I understand that Serzone,Trazadine and Welbutrin are RLS friendly. Huge good luck.Hope your mental health improves soon.x

[SueJohnson in reply to Jumpey]

Serzone is a sedating antihistamine and makes RLS worse for many. And I think you meant trazodone which is safe.

[Jumpey in reply to SueJohnson]

Yes Trazadone. A bad auto correct unfortunately!Serzone is on the list I have from the RLS Foundation. Not like them to make a mistake.

[Embroiderer in reply to Jumpey]

Thank you Jumpey.

[Transimpact]

I found codeine worked 30 years in and have taken it ever since. I didn't get complete relief until I upped the dose. I was worried about getting used to it and needing more n more so researched and found loads of research demonstrating a stability of dose over many years. I also find forcing higher alkalinity helps. I use a teaspoon of bicarb or a few grains of caustic. Just saying what "I" do. What others do is up to them. No judgy replies thanks.

[Embroiderer in reply to Transimpact]

Can I ask what dose of codeine you take?

[Transimpact in reply to Embroiderer]

It takes 90 to 120 MLG to stop my RLS with alkalising in winter and 60 to 90 in summer or when there's sharp rises in the barometer. A teaspoon of sodium ascorbate helps, high protein, staying hydrated. Alcohol, sugars make it worse.

[Embroiderer in reply to Transimpact]

Thank you.

[Embroiderer]

thank you