Pregabalin thoughts please

[VJ29]

Hi I've been taking 400mg of pregabalin previously gabapentin and DA's which I withdrew from.

The pregabalin has never worked fully with waking most night putting therapulse on and sleeping after a while.

Recently though my rls has gone mad can't sleep till 2am in arms and waking early morning with it.

I started taking sertraline prob 8 weeks ago would you say it's that and why's it only got worse in the last 2 weeks if so?

Help needed in getting my head around this and what to do, I'm happy to come off the sertraline so how do I taper down as quick as possible if you think this is the cause of my rls spike.

Thanks so much in advance from another exhausted sufferer.

[SueJohnson]

Sertraline is an SSRI antidepressant which makes RLS worse for most.The only safe antidepressants are Wellbutrin and trazodone. So although I would have thought it would have have acted sooner, I still think it is the likely culprit, Don't stop it suddenly. Consult your doctor on how to taper off it.

[ChrisColumbus]

As you're in the UK, if you need an antidepressant, in most NHS areas trazodone is the (comparatively) safe option for RLS sufferers. Bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin) is now very largely only prescribed to help with smoking cessation in the UK, but in some NHS Trust areas it can be prescribed if you jump through enough hoops - usually involving meeting with a specialist or psychologist who may still say no.

[Joolsg]

As all anti depressants trigger or worsen RLS, yes, the sertraline is very likely to be the culprit.As SueJohnson advises, reduce slowly. And as Chris Columbus advises, trazodone is a safe UK option.

[VJ29]

Thank you so much everyone so you haven't heard of pregabalin making rls worse over time like the DA's with augmentation? It's truly terrible.

[SueJohnson in reply to VJ29]

Pregabalin can't make it worse over time, however over time you may need to increase it by 25 mg. but you are already on a pretty high dose. It is the sertraline that is the problem.

[VJ29 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank You Sue and yes I am 400mg I'll come off the sertraline then see how I feel. Fingers crossed. Thank you for your help and everyone it's a lifesaver this site and you experts we couldnt do without you I've already managed to stop my sister in law getting on the DA train with her rls hopefully with iron hers will improve instead of getting worse with the DA drugs.

[SueJohnson in reply to VJ29]

Be sure to come off it gradually. One method is to reduce it by 25% each week, but check with your doctor or pharmacist.