Causes of RLS

[Pollypop]

Hi there! I'm new to the group. Can anyone tell me if Sertrsline can increase RLS? I take it for anxiety/depression, for which it is very good but RLS has really been a big problem since.

Best,

[Hidden]

Yeah a lot of anti-depressants can make it worse.

[Pollypop in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!

[Kaarina Administrator]

Hi Pollypop

This is one of the links on the RLS-UK website rls-uk.org/#!treating-rls/czj2 and I am pretty sure Sertrraline is listed as one of the meds that can aggravate RLS.

I would suggest you go back to your doctor and show him the list of the ones you should avoid. He may also be interested in looking at the For Professionals section on the website too.

Kaarina

[Pollypop in reply to Kaarina]

Thank you so much, I will make an appointment ASAP!

Really appreciate your quick response. I'll let you know how it goes.

Best wishes,

Polly

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Pollypop]

A pleasure, Pollypop, please let us know how you go on. The RLS-UK website may be of help to you too. There is a helpline open Monday and Thursday from 9 - 11 am, details on the site.

rls-uk.org

Kaarina

[Pollypop]

Thank you, this is all very new to me as I've only just even realised that this is something others have!

Best wishes,

Polly

[Pat9]

I am on Sertraline for depression and amytryptiline for pain and I have been taking the Sertaline in the mornings and the other in the afternoon as both, I find, can cause RLS to get worse though for me it also seems to be tied to low iron if I stop taking my iron tablets the RLS will start up but the ADs do make them worse if taken at bed time.. good luck with working out what is best for you X

[Pollypop in reply to Pat9]

You know what- I take sertraline before bed every night. Time to start changing that to earlier times I think! I'll see if that improves things. I'm also going to try some dietary changes e.g., reducing my caffeine intake and increase iron/magnesium. Thanks for your advice!

Best wishes, polly

[Windwalker]

Pollypop,

Every individual is different and can tolerate a drug without complications. I am highly allergic to many things in the environment and carry 25 mg dyphenhydromine or benedryl or whatever they sell cheapest when I buy. It is all just trade names for the original. However when I take one the hystominic response stops and I go thru 4 or 5 hours of legs jumping.

I hope you find a drug that helps your RLS and doesn't drive you crazy .

Windwalker

[Pollypop in reply to Windwalker]

Hi there, thank you for this- yes I can imagine I have lots of experimenting to do before I find something to help manage it better. Until then my poor husband will have to persevere with moving/scratching/stretching all night!

Best wishes and good luck,

Polly

[Hidden]

Pollypop here is another good website for you to look at rlshelp.org the treatment page has a wealth of info. Apart from what meds to take, what to avoid which can make RLS worse. Have you had a ferritin level test done.? Before you start taking iron you should get that test done. For RLSers we should have a reading of 70-100, below that and taking iron pills MIGHT help. A low ferritin level doesnt always mean getting it higher will help your RLS. But worth trying. Alot of people swear by taking magnesium helps their RLS, But RLS experts have no answer to why it should help.

[Margo]

Have you considered why you have depression and anxiety Pollypop? Thyroid issues are very connected to RLS. Have you had a FULL Thyroid panel blood test, and seen the results? Might be worth telling your G.P. that you would like a blood test done. Post the results on the thyroid branch of this web-site.

[Freedomfs]

Sertraline should be taken off the market?, it made me feel like i was part of the mattress and didn't help with either depression or sleep am now on Mertazapine which does help i would some day like to come off it but not yet. Hope this helps?

[conditioncritical]

Hello!

I use sertraline the last 15 months, since I weaned off years of alcohol abuse.

I only used lexapro in the past, but sertraline works wonders for mild depression, however it made my rls way worse and now I start weaning off zoloft.

Apart from that I liked zoloft as it works purely as an AD and it doesn't make you fat like lexapro. The problem with zoloft (taken always in the morning) is that it makes RLS way worse when combining it with Seroquel, antihistamines and even trazodone, as sleeping aids. It is like zoloft multiplies the RLS effect of the others.