RLS returned after taking Duloxetine

[Fra3021]

Had RLS for many years, associated with Fibromyalgia. Having taken Amitriptylene, Nortriptyline , Pregabalin for my Fibro, my RLS has been under control. Recently started taking Duloxetine to help my Fibro and my RLS has returned with a vengeance. I get very little sleep, as soon as my head hits pillow, my legs start their merry dance.

Has anyone else had similar issues after taking Duloxetine?

Anything help to alleviate the symptoms?

I take Organic magnesium and Vitamin B12 supplements plus Co-codamol for RLS, though not sure this works.

[SueJohnson]

Yes - it makes RLS worse for many people. My RLS is under control with gabapentin but when I took it, it made my RLS go through the roof even though I can take other things that are bad for RLS such as the 2 Benadryl I took last night that didn't affect my RLS at all,

It's a SNRI antidepressant but apparently that's not why you took it so I can't provide you with a safe alternative. My guess is you took it for pain which is why I took it.

I'm surprised the Amitriptyline hasn't made your RLS worse or are you not taking it anymore..

[Joolsg]

Duloxetine worsens RLS for nearly everyone with RLS, as does Amitriptyline and Nortryptiline.All SSRI, SNRI and Tri cyclical anti depressants used for nerve pain are RLS triggers. There are a small number of people who can tolerate them

Pregabalin is first line treatment for RLS, so will improve fibromyalgia AND RLS. Co codamol contains codeine, an opioid used to treat RLS. So it will help.

Information is in the Mayo Clinic Algorithm and on the RLS UK website.

1.First step is to get full panel, morning fasting blood tests and raise serum ferritin above 100, preferably 200.

2. Then stop, switch trigger meds, like anti depressants.

3. If 1 & 2 don't resolve RLS, Start pregabalin or gabapentin.

4. If 3 doesn't resolve RLS try a low dose opioid.

You will probably find you can control your RLS by switching from anti depressants and raising serum ferritin.

If you need pain relief from fibromyalgia, medical cannabis is now available from.private clinics in the UK.

rls-uk.org/medical-treatments

[Grammieof4]

i had the same reaction to that. It’s one of the meds that make RLS worse. Amitriptiline is another one that can.