Sertraline and Pregabalin

[Figar]

Background story

Hello, some of you might remember a while ago I was asking a few questions about pregabalin, which I did take for a short while. For a series of reasons, I stopped taking that when my GP suggested increasing the dose ( I won't go into details now).

As my RLS is a bother, I discussed with the GP starting that again in a few weeks, with a more structured approach - which I'd be happy to do.

The thing is though that this morning I had a chat with my GP as I haven't been feeling well lately, and she said I present with all the clinical symptoms of depression, and that because I have tried so many things (from mindfulness to exercise) and things are not getting better, she would suggest trying sertraline. She is going to call me back on Friday to give me some time to think about it.

My questions are:

- Is anyone here using both?

- Did sertraline made your RLS and PLMD worse?

- Anyone on a different antidepressant that did not affect their RLS?

[SueJohnson]

Sertraline makes RLS worse for many. Safe antidepressants are Wellbutrin and trazodone.

[SueJohnson]

You might want to try gabapentin. I have used both and was definitely more dizzy on pregabalin. Although they are basically the same drug except you need to divide the doses, and the side effects are basically the same, some people find that the side effects that bother them on one don't bother them on the other. The usual starting dose is 300 mg. Take it 1 to 2 hours before bedtime. After 3 weeks you can increase by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. If you take magnesium don't take it within 3 hours of the gabapentin as it reduces the absorption of the gabapentin. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily."

[Birdland]

SSRI antidepressants made my RLS much worse. I tried Wellbutrin but it gave me extreme anxiety and insomnia, which are listed as side effects. Trazadone did not work for me at all. It is so frustrating. RLS makes our opinions so limited. Insult to injury. My doctor recommended I micro dose psilocybin mushrooms. Although he made clear that he couldn’t prescribe them because they are illegal. I was able to get some and it has really helped my depression. He says that it’s only a mater of time before it will become legal for doctors here in US to prescribe this for depression. Best of luck. I know how debilitating depression can be.

[Cobobay]

Hello I've just come off 150mg of sertraline and have found my legs have been a little better, altho I'm suffering badly with my depression and anxiety, my doctor does want me back on them, but I am refusing atm and battling through it, although finding it extremely difficult.

[ircam2112]

Glad I saw your message. Yes, my RLS (initially) and now PLMD, was caused by an abrupt, doctor ordered discontinuation of Sertraline. Began out-of-the-blue 2 days after last dose. That was 20 years ago and still struggling daily. Antidepressants in general do make RLS and PLMD worse. If you decide to start it, talk to your doctor about a very slow discontinuation process if it should be needed. Bupropion is a better choice that will affect your RLS least or not at all.

The other thing you may want to consider is that the depression is secondary/caused by your RLS, especially if you have issues with sleep or an undiagnosed sleep disorder and if daytime lethargy/sleepiness, fatigue, irritability and stimuli intolerance are major factors. These plus depression are symptoms of sleep deprivation and/or chronic unrefreshed sleep. I would check into medical reasons first before starting Sertraline. It may be worth recording your sleep on video for a few nights to determine how you’re breathing and if you’re having excessive movements and/or arousals. If so, treating those may treat your depression as well.

Best wishes. Please let us know how it’s going