Gabapentin plus Sertraline

[Embroiderer]

I’d be grateful for advice. I have longstanding RLS and currently take codeine 30-60mg with partial effect. I’ve never taken anything else for RLS.

A few weeks ago I needed antidepressants and my GP gave me Sertraline, as I had managed several months on this previously, with the RLS remaining tolerable until 5 months or so of Sertraline. However this time I began getting worse RLS much more quickly, so stopped the Sertraline, hoping that longer daylight hours would be a natural treatment! But I soon realised that I do still need an antidepressant. My doctor wasn’t keen to give me Buprion or Trazadone. Instead she has agreed to give me Gabapentin to take alongside the Sertraline, and has prescribed 100mg 3 x daily. (I’m British, almost 66yrs and 100mg seems to be the recommended dose for over-65s here.)

I would be very grateful for any comments, particularly on the combination of the two drugs, and also on timing of the doses of Gabapentin - if I understand right, I would be better taking the three doses afternoon/evening rather than spread throughout the day. Thank you.

[SueJohnson]

I don't know why your doctor is reluctant to prescribe Bupropion or Trazodone as they are safe for RLS and as you discovered Sertraline isn't. I would ask your doctor why. As far as gabapentin, take all 3 doses 1 to 2 hours before bedtime unless you have RLS during the day and if you take magnesium take it at least 3 hours before. If you take calcium take i at least 2 hours before.

[NJB71]

hi Embroiderer,

I am 72, British and have suffered RLS all my life. I, too need an antidepressant and was very satisfied on sertraline. However the side effects made my RLS worse. There are dozens of antidepressants out there and individual GPS seen to know which ones are best suited to the patient, through their understanding of the individual. I strongly believe ONLY A GP can know the best one to prescribe.. mine was patient with me as I begged her to try and find me a different antidepressant which would not exacerbate my RLS. I too tried a lower dose of Pregabalin with the Sertraline as I am over 65. But the Pregabalin was having to fight not just my innate RLS but that caused by the Sertraline.

Eventually we settled on a higher dose of Pregabalin, (300mg) once the GP was satisfied it was not causing me any problems and I stopped the Sertraline. Pregabalin is also, indeed primarily prescribed for anxiety, so I found my mood improved as well as the RLS.

This was the answer to my lifetime of RLSand depression.

I,wish you well.

[Embroiderer in reply to NJB71]

Thank you Sue and NJB71 for your replies. At this point I am relieved to be on both an antidepressant and a treatment for RLS and hope I’ll be in a better place to negotiate a change of medication if I need to.

[K2D2]

I take 600 mg of Gabapentin 3 times daily at 4, 6 and 8 pm. It works very well to control my RLS and allow for a full night’s sleep.

[Embroiderer in reply to K2D2]

Thank you K2D2, that’s helpful.

[Jetto]

bad news anti-depressants make RLS worse for a high percentage of us. Plus it is common to get depressed when your Codine does not stop the RLS pain and it can’t.

your doctor is treating your RLS pain instead of stopping your brain from RLS sending out pain signals.

RLS makes My legs feel like they are hurting but it is my RLS in my head, therefore you don’t need meds for pain.

I take 15mg of methadone a day to stop the pain from happening. Many of us only need 5mg, some even 20mg. Not heard of anyone needing more.

Many take Gabapentin or Horizant as well

Bottom line Codine does not fit into the receptors in your brain that can stop the pain RLS pain signals like Methadone does.

My RLS is is from resting. If I exercise long enough and hard enough after several minutes it goes away 100% and after I stop it stays away many minutes for a wonderful break. While you don’t have occupying myself playing chess or any problem solving game or cards also keeps it away for quite a while or continued exercise at a reduced amount.

Jetto

[Embroiderer]

Thank you Jetto. Mine stops eventually after I stand on a cold floor and do the newspaper quizzes etc. But doing that when I should be asleep in bed is depressing in itself!

[Katyparis]

I am 71, had RLS for 20 yrs. Been on Pramipexole all that time plus Sertraline. Now weening off Dopamine and started Pregablin recently but I aim to ween off Sertraline too because I'm sure its making RLS worse. Kaye . Western Australia

[Embroiderer in reply to Katyparis]

thank you Kaye, hope not to be on Sertraline too long myself, as I know from experience it worsens RLS. We just do what we can to make symptoms manageable don’t we?

[Fingerandus in reply to Katyparis]

hi have you stopped pramipexole altogether yet, i am trying.. i am just on my 3rd nite without any after having a smaller dose for 1 month the doc gave me a script for mertazepine 1/4 of a pill and my legs were hysterical i couldnt even sit down i had to walk all nite i have now cleared lyrica and sifrol but still have RLS and cant sleep i take two osteos and a glass of warm milk .[ unbelievable i know] but it gave me 1 hr of sleep im awake and hurting now 3 14am in W Australia

[Bruxelles]

Hello,

I can’t really give you much info about Setraline. I took it once years ago but at that time I didn’t have RLS. More recently I needed antidepressants and my Dr. Prescribed Setraline which I didn’t take as I had doubts about it. I then checked it out on this site and it is not good if you have RLS. So I just try to keep going without anything. Look through the things people have written as there are some very knowledgeable people on here. There are about two antidepressants which are ok with rls (just passing on my understanding of what I read as you asked me). Look at Sue Johnson’s posts, she gave me a lot of information. I wish you luck and hope you find a solution. Happy Easter!

[Embroiderer in reply to Bruxelles]

Yes I knew the warnings but hoped that as I’d managed a few months on Sertraline several years ago I could do the same now with the addition of Gabapentin- but I think it is not to be; bad RLS last couple of nights! But thankyou for your comments, I too find this forum very informative and supportive.

[Josana13]

Hello Embroiderer, I was suffering from relentless RLS to the point where I didn't sleep at all for three nights and pass out for a few hours on the fourth night. I had to walk all night and I would get on a stationary bike. A couple of things happened,

♥when the RLS was at it worst that I could not sit, I drank a cup of coffee and they quieted down. (This only worked when they were real bad).

♥I have to have back surgery on ten levels on my back and was on Oxycodone.

♥I changed pain doctors and the new one put me on Buprenorphine (8mg. film) over a month ago and the RLS has not been a problem, and my pain is completely controlled. I am also taking Quetiapine (50mg) for sleep and I sleep all night.

God only knows, I have suffered from RLS so bad, worse than anything, for many years. I pray that the medication I am now taking continues to work for me. Many on this site are taking Buprenorphine at a much lower dose and it is working for them. I wish you the very best and may God bless you with good health

[Embroiderer in reply to Josana13]

Thank you Joanna, and you too.