Anybody stopped SSRI and had reduced RLS?

[JenniferBut]

Hi again folks,

has anybody stopped one of the known triggering SSRI's and had a good result in reduction of RLS? I did stop around 2 years ago but the RLS when ballistic even then. I wonder if there is a big delay? Possibly so, and I guess our bodies are all so very different. Curious to see if anyone has had experience stopping

Thank you! Have a nice day/Night. Jen

[Madlegs1]

It's not like turning off a tap or flipping a light switch.

Getting off any addictive substance involves your body letting you know it is not happy with your action.

It's called withdrawal.

It could take a few weeks or months for your body to give up the tantrums!

So-- we are not going to get an immediate response from giving up any of these substances!😭

[JenniferBut in reply to Madlegs1]

hi Mad legs, yes, I understand withdrawal and extended withdrawal, especially with anti D's. it is now widely recognised that Anti D's can take years to come off, there was an interesting show on ABS four corners recently here in Aus about it. the question was more around anybody who has had experience with stopping a SSRI in relation to RLS symptoms. Thanks for your input.

[ChrisColumbus]

As you've been on escitalopram (Lexapro) for over 20 years, much of the time apparently without RLS, this may or may not be your real issue. While most sufferers have problems with antidepressants this is not universal.

You write that your "iron is pretty good but I am supplementing": what are the actual numbers and how are you supplementing?

You presumably developed RLS while you were on the escitalopram but before you started pramipexole (Sifrol). Were you on ANY other prescription or over the counter meds when the RLS started? Lots of things, from sedating antihistamines, statins, beta blockers etc etc can trigger RLS. As can some dietary triggers like too much sugar, artificial sweeteners in diet products, too much caffeine (although this helps some), alcohol etc etc.

How long have you been on prami, have you had to increase your dose, have you noticed RLS starting earlier and/or affecting more of your body?

[SueJohnson]

You need to wean off slowly.

[teakabeagle]

I weaned off the SSRI very slowly and had a reduction of the RLS with each reduction. I then started Buproprion and had further reduction, but it never quite got to where I was before starting the SSRI.

[JenniferBut in reply to teakabeagle]

Have you found buproprion to be effective?

[teakabeagle in reply to JenniferBut]

Not specifically for RLS. Because it is a weak dopamine agonist, it did have a mild effect on the rebound RLS from the Prami withdrawal. I’ve taken buproprion for years, but still have RLS if I don’t take the Buprenorphine.