new meds

[Brookside43]

what do people think of duxentine i took mine last night, sweats, being sick and nausea

[ChrisColumbus]

Duloxetine (Cymbalta, Duxetine) unfortunately makes RLS worse for many. It also - like most meds - has a wide range of *possible* side effects which should be listed in the patient info leaflet:

bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/dulox...

Is this the first time youve taken it? Are you prescribed this for depression, anxiety or pain? There are RLS safer alternatives, which can of course also have other side effects.

[Brookside43 in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I was giving it for rls but not taking it again as got nausea and increased sweating

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Brookside43]

Antidepressants were offered to me for RLS some 30 or so years ago, but they nearly all make RLS worse and are not an appropriate treatment for RLS anyway. Your doctor also tried amitriptyline which shows their ignorance on RLS: they are not taught about RLS.

SueJohnson and Joolsg's replies to your first post gave you the best info on getting your ferritin tested and on how to take gabapentin to control your RLS. Do go back and reread their advice. And be prepared to change your doctor!!

[Joolsg in reply to Brookside43]

That just shows how appalling UK medical training on RLS is!Basic RLS knowledge.

First, do full panel iron blood tests & raise serum ferritin above 200ųg.

Next replace trigger meds like anti depressants. And your GP has actually prescribed an anti depressant to treat the RLS. I despair.

Go back to your GP and show them the RLS-UK website so they realise anti depressants are for NERVE pain and should NEVER be prescribed to treat RLS.

As your GP knows nothing about RLS and has actually made it worse, has he/she treated you correctly?

Have you had the blood tests? Have they tried to prescribe dopamine agonists ( Ropinirole/Pramipexole/Rotigitone patches)?

RLS-UK have been trying to get RLS taught correctly for years, but the RCGPs refuse.

It really is a medical scandal.

[SueJohnson]

That's never used to treat RLS. It is used sometimes for pain.

[ChrisColumbus]

BTW, on the subject of your doctor: they apparently haven't read NICE guidance for RLS, revised February 2024. While this is by no means completely up-to-date nor comprehensive enough it does:

1. Talk about the importance of measuring serum ferritin and supplementing with iron.

2. While still suggesting dopamine agonists it now recognises their problems with augmentation and impulse control disorders.

3. It does acknowledge that gabapentin is best for RLS 'in some cases'. Unfortunately it doesn't give specific guidance on gabapentin amounts, dose separation and when to take for RLS - see Sue's guidance on this in her reply to your first post.

[Joolsg]

Your GP is clearly clutching at straws in trying to control your RLS.You must refuse all anti depressants and tell your GP they worsen RLS symptoms.

If gabapentin, taken at night only, in split 600mg doses isn't controlling your RLS, you will need to give us more info.

Were you on Ropinirole, Pramipexole or the Rotigitone patch and, if so, for how long and when did you stop taking them?

We can then direct you to a knowledgeable neurologist who can help.