Antidepressants

[JenniferBut]

Hi, I have been on Esatalapram ( SSRI ) for over 20 years and it has been fantastic for OCD and awful anxiety. I get no side effects at all from this medicine- Until I developed RLS.

I have tried to wean off , super super slowing and I can get down to 5mg but anything lower I become very unwell mentally and suffer awful insomnia. I cant function.

I currently take Sifrol 125mg and I aim to get off this and on to Pregablin, when life is a bit less stressful. I refuse to take more of the DA despite my GP saying "Just take more" . It will be hard enough getting off this low dose let alone taking more of the DA.

I would like to ask if anybody has had success with any other Anti depressants in relation to help with anxiety but not making RLS worse. Its a long shot!

My iron is pretty good but I am supplementing to get it up a bit to see if that may help. Currently the DA gives pretty good cover.

I may be in a situation where I continue with 5 mg of Esatalapram and go on Pregablin and hope it covers me... Thoughts?

Thanks! Jen

[ChrisColumbus]

I'm unfamiliar with esatalapram but perhaps it's a local name. Escitalopram, (Lexapro, Cipralex) - which comes up on a search instead - like most antidepressants makes RLS worse for many.

Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) and trazodone (Molipaxin, Desyrel, Oleptro) are generally regarded as RLS safe antidepressants although some users of both still report problems - although there are many other medications and factors that can trigger or exacerbate RLS and make it difficult to determine the actual cause.

Others here will give you much more informed advice on coming off pramipexole (Sifrol) and moving on to pregabalin than I can.

[JenniferBut in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thanks Chris, my spelling was incorrect, it's Lexapro. I appreciate the information you've provided

Jen

[SueJohnson]

Bupropion is the best antidepressant but it is only approved for smoking cessation in Australia although it can be prescribed off label.

Moclobemide treats depression and anxiety and is approved in Australia.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to SueJohnson]

Since it's very difficult to get bupropion off licence in many areas of the UK, and I've seen a couple of reports of difficulties on trazodone, should we be looking at moclobemide (Manerix) here too? I've not previously seen it suggested as RLS 'safe'

[SueJohnson]

It is safe and also treats anxiety but I would suggest it only if they can't get bupropion or trazodone.