antidepressents

KBear · Post by **KBear** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 6:08 pm

We use GP here in the states as well it's just that PCP "Primary Care Physician" is becoming more common. I think the insurance companies started that.

ctravel12 · Post by **ctravel12** » Thu Dec 06, 2007 8:29 pm

Betty yes that is correct

Post by **Polar Bear** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 10:30 am

Just to update: I emailed Dr B regarding the Baclofen and he said there was no merit in it at all for rls. So I shan't be taking it at all

RLJames · Post by **RLJames** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:21 pm

Betty,
The Amitriptyline is definitely not a good idea to prescribed to a RLS sufferer. I take an SSRI (Zoloft) and it makes my legs wiggly more. Dr. B has to increase my methadone dose from 5 to 10 mg. and added Lyica to help combat the effects of Zoloft which really helps with my depression. Ami-yada is an old school antidepresant and does not play very well with any of meds for the brain. Your good fill-in doctor may be retired too long that he may not know that the literature on ambien indicates a no addiction potential even when taken long term. When taken at night, all trace of it is gone after 9-10 hours when you awaken refreshed and ready to go. Can the good doctor allow you to take Lunesta, another sleeping pill with no chance of being addictive? Perhaps he my not have seen the commercials that have inundated our TV screens on both these drugs taunting their non-addictive qualities...or are there no TV's in the Ingall's Praire land?

Post by **Polar Bear** » Fri Dec 07, 2007 12:52 pm

Hi, RLJames
I am in Northern Ireland, a part of the UK.
We don't have drug adverts on tv, or rather those that we do are only the over the counter stuff. Drugs which require a prescription are not advertised on tv or in the press.

maddielouise1 · Post by **maddielouise1** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 1:46 am

I would be most comfortable seeing a Neurologist, probably because I already do see one, who is helping treat my RLS/PLMD and so far, her Rx advice has worked quite well. It's not perfect, yet, but I'd much rather see a specialist than a GP.

RLJames · Post by **RLJames** » Sat Dec 08, 2007 9:14 am

betty rankin wrote:I am in Northern Ireland, a part of the UK.
We don't have drug adverts on tv, or rather those that we do are only the over the counter stuff. Drugs which require a prescription are not advertised on tv or in the press.

Hi Betty,
It used to be that way about 20 years ago in the U.S. I don't want to debate the merits of either system in this post. I really have a low opinion on doctors who do not keep up with the literature on the medications they prescribed or refuse to prescribe. Prescribing Amitriptyline, an old school antidepressant, says a lot about when the good doctor's education ended (circa 1978). I would look for another physician really quickly if I were you. FWIW IMHO.
Good luck.

bharrod · Post by **bharrod** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 1:05 am

maddielouise1 wrote:Hi Betty,

From what I've read in various places, the tricylic antidepressants (such as Amitriptyline), seem to aggravate RLS the most, although all antidepressants apparently can cause a problem.

I do wonder just how much testing has been done with the antidepressants and their affects on RLS, since now there are so many, which fall into several classes like tricyclics, SSRIs, SNRIs, NASSAs and MOAIs, just to name five.

I take Cymbalta, an SNRI (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), along with Mirapex and Klopopin and must say that so far my newly diagnosed symptoms of RLS has been reduced considerably. I am sleeping 6-8 hours a night now, which is something I haven't done in a VERY long time.

I need the Cymbalta to control my anxiety disorder, so I don't plan on ditching it anytime soon and have no problem with taking something to control the RLS/PLMD along with it. Just an FYI, I've probably had the RLS for years and just within the six months or so did I start to notice waking up several times a night for no apparent reason, my husband telling me that I'm constantly moving, kicking and jerking in my "sleep", etc. He confirmed that I have actually done this for years. He's just put up with it. A recent sleep study confirmed the severe PLMD and RLS. Did the Cymbalta make the RLS worse? I'm sure it very likely did, and I can accept that and understand that, but I have to choose what I'm willing to live with and I cannot have a life wrought with anxiety and panic attacks, so here I am-ha!

If a person needs both an antidepressant and a dopamine agonist, I think a good neurologist can get you the right combination to help you.

I hope you find something that helps!

Neurologist, that is the best thing I have heard in a while, I need to get me one of those, I am like a basket case at night after I take my Wellbutrin combined with my requip, I can't walk or stand, I am sweating, heart pounding, and sometimes I throw up from the nausea, I think I will get me a neurologist. I have all 3 of the worst things to have when it comes to mixing bad meds together. I have ADHD, RLS and Bipolar (otherwise known as Manic Depression) I am really only Depressed, Major Depression, no crazy thoughts or voices or anything though.
Geez, life is really tough these days..........I have a husband in the military, so he is never home, I am 35 years old with 2 young children ages 5, my daughter, not in school yet til next year, and my son age 2, and not to even mention my dog, cat, rat and fish...........How I am still standing and not in the looney bin with my ADHD, Bipolar, Severe Depression, and Severe RLS is just straight up an Act of God........

ctravel12 · Post by **ctravel12** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 2:56 am

Hi bharrod I am so sorry for you are going through. Please do make an appt. to see a neurologist and let him know what you are going through.

You said you take requip (I may have asked this before as did not look at your previous posts) what is the mgs you are taking. I used to take requip and it did make me very nausea and then split the dosage - like if you are taking 1mg and cut the pill in half. I know it is wierd shaped but if you get a pill cutter it can be cut as I did it. Anyways take half of the mg around 4pm your time and then the other half about 1-2 hrs before retiring. When I did that I did not get nauseated anymore.

Do your rls symptons happen all day and night now? Reason for asking this is that you may be augmenting which makes the rls worsen during the day or night time.

Anytime you feel you want to talk, vent, scream or even cry please call on us and we will be here for you.

If you do go to the neurologist, please keep us posted on what he does for you.

becat · Post by **becat** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:04 am

Hey Bharrod,

First and foremost, Thank you and your husband for your service, yes I meant you too!

I'm a Marine Mom, so I count you family already in 2 ways.

If you ever need a thing do not wait to think about emailing me or PMing here on the site.

You probably need the information here to be printed off as much or more than most. Military docs can be good and NOT. My tumor, had a heart beat some 4 months after I first saw a doc for some "girl" problems. Hmmmm seems my youngest was not a tumor or a cyst at all! LOL

The problem is just what RLJAMES said, it's the doc and thier own continuing education! It's a must these days with some many new studies, new medications, etc....
Docs soemtimes have to move past thier own thoughts and wrap themselves around what it real these days!

Hugs to all and I certainly hope all sleep well and still tonight.
Lynne

SquirmingSusan · Post by **SquirmingSusan** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:32 am

Bharrod,

You really do have a difficult combination of conditions to treat.

So, yes, pat yourself on the back for making it through it all. Raising young children alone, while your dh is overseas, is difficult for people without health concerns. But add chronic sleep deprivation to the mix, and it's tough.

I really do hope you can find a decent neurologist who can work with your to get EVERYTHING under control. Requip might not be the beat RLS med for you, but there are other drugs that work for RLS. I hope you're not still struggling with a doctor who thinks you're drug seeking. :evil:

Tell the doc that you're "relief-seeking" and you want to be able to function and take care of yourself and your kids! And if the doctor won't help, keep looking for one who will. It's such a pain looking for a decent doctor when you're sick and tired, though.

Hang in there!

cornelia · Post by **cornelia** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:36 am

Hi Bharrod,

you write that you take Wellbutrin at night? Maybe because of a special reason? Because I think it should be taken in the morning to get energy, what you don't need at night! Of course I'm not a docter.

Wish you well
Corrie

Post by **Polar Bear** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 12:32 pm

Hi, I think it was Charlene mentioned the difficulty in cutting a 1mg requip pill in half. I had this problem and got the doc to write the prescription for .5mg pills. He had no difficulty doing this, even tho they work out a little more expensive.

Good luck.
Betty

moonlight · Post by **moonlight** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:56 pm

Hi

Can anyone help out
I have added diclofenac to my meds and am getting really bad rls, bad upset tummy and today bad shakes and dizzy feeling

this is what i'm on

propranolol 40mg 4 times
ferrous sulphate 200mg 3 times
diclofenac 50mg 3 times
paracetamol when needed

moonlight

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:58 am

Moonlight, it's close to morning by now...can you call the doc ASAP?

I did a quick search and didn't see anything about RLS and the new drug you are taking, but that doesn't mean anything. Obviously it seems as if it is bothering you.

It's hard to make a decision when you feel badly. If it were me, if this drug was not required to keep me alive and if I was sure I could stop it without side effects, I'd stop it immediately until I could get to the doctor. Then I'd get the first appointment I could, by that time hopefully being able to tell the doctor exactly what happened when I took it and when I stopped it.

It's so hard when you take multiple things....just can't know what's going to work and what doesn't.

Moonlight, do you have a good relationship with your doctor? It he or she helping you make good choices?