RLS & depression

[Neco]

It has been my experience that when stopping an anti-depressant, the symptoms will drop back down to "normal" levels. I was actually on Remeron for quite a while and then I became suspicious about it aggravating my RLS, which it hadn't seemed to before.. But after a stretch of a few days without my opiates, I found that less than 30 minutes after taking my Remeron, my symptoms skyrocketed to the point where I had to down a few ounces of wine.

My doctor has my on Luvox (fluvoxamine) 100mg /day right now and so far I have not noticed any effect on my RLS. I thought I would share this, as Luvox is sighted as having some anti-depressant effects. I've gone through some ups and downs since switching, but a large part of it may be due to withdrawl from my opiates that I had to go through. My mood seems pretty stable otherwise. I'm also on it for other reasons, but thought maybe folks with AD troubles might want to give it a try. It's relatively cheap as well. I paid less than $30 for one months supply.

[ctravel12]

Hi Zach Thank you for sharing this info with us. You never know as there may be just the one thing you say that will help another member. I am glad that you are doing much better. Keep us updated on how you are doing.

[Sojourner]

ditto

[ViewsAskew]

Mark, this is an unknown - they have done no studies to find out and the literature is not filled with any advice. Based on reading many posts over the last few years, it seems that when people get RLS or increased RLS from drugs, the sooner the drug is stopped the more likely the RLS will go to pre-drug levels (which may be to stop completely). However, there are some people whose RLS does NOT return to prior levels. It is more likely related to time, but even this is not always the case. It is not common, but it does happen.

For example, one of the members here had very minor RLS, took ADs for a short time, and got full-blown RLS in more than her legs. It did not go away when the meds were stopped. I had increased RLS from augmentation (happens to some who take the DAs). My doc did not stop the meds and kept me on them but kept increasing them. I ended up with 24/7 RLS that is now ONLY controlled with methadone. In my case, I was on these drugs a LONG, LONG time (18 months). In the other case, it was only a week or so if I remember correctly. BUT, we are the only two cases I know of on this board. (If I've forgotten someone, my apologies.)

Chances are in your favor. But, considering my experience, I would suggest that if you take any drugs that increase your RLS, that you stop them quickly. There is a ton of evidence (in terms of people saying as much on this and several other message boards) that this approach does not result in increased RLS in many people.