venlafaxine

[Mongolia2020]

asking for someone else - does anyone know if venlafaxine is a trigger for rls, and if so, is the a safe alternative?

[SueJohnson]

It's a SNRI antidepressant that makes RLS worse for most

[Mongolia2020 in reply to SueJohnson]

thank you Sue

[Joolsg]

It's listed on most RLS sites as a trigger med. Safe alternatives are trazodone, Bupropion and Vortioxetine but even they may worsen the RLS. It's a case of trial & error.

[Mongolia2020 in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you Joolsg

[ziggypiggy in reply to Joolsg]

I read the last part as "trial & terror". Probably indicative of my experience. Lol

[Joolsg in reply to ziggypiggy]

🤣Most definitely.

[SueJohnson in reply to ziggypiggy]

My laugh for the day!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[Hobbitfeet]

Hi

I have taken Venlafaxine for over four years, I have RLS. I am prescribed Clonazepam for my legs. Taking magnesium tablets about an hour before you go to bed also helps me.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hobbitfeet]

Welcome to the forum. You will find lots of help, support and understanding here.

Looking at your profile I see you take tramadol. Does it control your RLS?

I also see you take statins. All statins make RLS worse. Nexlizet (Nustendi) is a cholesterol lowering drug that is not a statin, but I don’t know if it exacerbates RLS symptoms. Ezetimibe (Zetia) reduces cholesterol although it doesn't reduce cholesterol as fast as the statins, but according to Chris Columbus it didn't trigger his RLS. And then there are Triglide (Fenofibrate, Fibricor, Lipantil, Lipofen, Supralip) and Bezafibrate (Bezalip) which are not statins which seem safe. You might want to discuss these with your doctor. A more difficult way to reduce cholesterol is to go vegan. My husband lowered his cholesterol from 221 to 131 this way.

Although you have been taking Venlafaxine it may have been making your RLS worse.

One of the drugs that helps fibromyalgia also is the first line treatment for RLS - gabapentin.

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? This is the first thing your doctor should have done. Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including in a multivitamin 48 hours before the test, avoid a heavy meat meal the night before and fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice.

Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, foods high in glutamate, ice cream, eating late at night, oestrogen (estrogen) including HRT, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), collagen supplements, eating late at night, stress and vigorous exercise.

Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennell, low oxalate diet, a low-inflammatory diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak (epsom salts), vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices like therapulse, using a standing desk, playing and listening to music, creative hobbies, meditation and yoga.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any other than what you list on your profile I may be able to provide a safe alternative.

[DicCarlson]

It has a nasty discontinuation syndrome profile - hard to get off.

[restlessstoz]

Hi, I've been on venlafaxine for over three years. I'm on 75mg and I haven't had any problem with my legs getting worse. However, I'm on buprenorphine which covers all the symptoms so not sure how it would be if I wasn't on that. I do know it's hard to get off but I'll likely be on it for life now so that won't be an issue I hope. In Australia it's very hard if not impossible to get the anti-depressants that don't affect RLS so it was something I didn't have a choice over.