RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Use this section to discuss your experiences with prescription drugs, iron injections, and other medical interventions that involve the introduction of a drug or medicine into the body. Discuss side effects, successes, failures, published research, information about drug trials, and information about new medications being developed.

Important: Posts and information in this section are based on personal experiences and recommendations; they should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a healthcare provider.
peanut1
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Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by peanut1 »

Ann,
I do think if I can get over my terror about the ADs, I think I CAN cope with the situation and can keep my job if I get an electric scooter. I just don't feel I have my sleep stabilized enough to do that right now.

I feel just like Beth did with her post on death the answer. On good pain days I don't feel that way and that happens once in a while, but many days I feel like my life is over. There is surgery, but my podiatrist and 2 other orthopaedic surgeons have recommended not to do it stating I will get more pain down the road. However, I have known people who got the surgery and were happy. If this is my life: no sleep, chronic pain, depression and anxiety, unable to be mobile. What the hell am I here for?

Polar Bear
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Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by Polar Bear »

Perhaps allow yourself a specific time span to try the ADs and see if they help. Say 3 months. Though it is possible that it might take longer than 3 months if there was a need to try a different AD, or to adjust dosages.

If this is my life: no sleep, chronic pain, depression and anxiety, unable to be mobile. What the hell am I here for?


If your depression was treated might you feel more optomistic about life.
However, each person has their own views on ADs and should decide for themselves what type of meds they do, or do not, wish to take.
Betty
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation

ViewsAskew
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Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by ViewsAskew »

peanut1 wrote:Ann,
I do think if I can get over my terror about the ADs, I think I CAN cope with the situation and can keep my job if I get an electric scooter. I just don't feel I have my sleep stabilized enough to do that right now.

I feel just like Beth did with her post on death the answer. On good pain days I don't feel that way and that happens once in a while, but many days I feel like my life is over. There is surgery, but my podiatrist and 2 other orthopaedic surgeons have recommended not to do it stating I will get more pain down the road. However, I have known people who got the surgery and were happy. If this is my life: no sleep, chronic pain, depression and anxiety, unable to be mobile. What the hell am I here for?


I know that I am supposed to say something wise and upbeat...but I honestly have no answers. Wish I did. The best I can say is that - in my experience at any rate - things surprise me when they change and all the sudden it's different/better/resolved. Things that didn't seem possible occur and end what was hell.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

peanut1
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:06 am

Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by peanut1 »

Thank you Betty and Anne,

I have a new neurologist and he gave me lyrica sample and also a prescription for endocon? which I think is an offshoot of oxycodone. He had to also prescribe me some anti nausea meds since I get so sick on the Vicodin. I need to get the sleep stabilized before I can think about a regular antidepressant. I am on the sam e which I think is doing something, but am not exactly sure. (sam e is a natural antidepressant that has few if any side effects save for mild insomnia.) For exercise, I've learned how to swim without using my arms due to a shoulder injury which is also interesting. If my feet feel better after this treatment I might be able to walk in the water. I really do miss working out though or even swimming in a meditative way and the walks in nature, but if I can stay out of pain, neurological and foot pain, I can manage somehow even if the mobility is limited. My hope is that the opioid can work for both.

I think part of why I got so down was that I was worried about that the new doc (old one retired) would not give me what I needed due to the pain killer crackdown. I was so worried I'd have to go out there looking for less than reputable sources to help me take care of that pain (and sleep) and that so depressed me.
So I guess you were right Ann, that sometimes things change and end that hopelessness.

peanut1
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Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by peanut1 »

endodan is the new drug I was prescribed

peanut1
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Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by peanut1 »

Finally, I did talk to a foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon today and he was able to answer my questions and calm my fears about what the other doctors said about the surgery. I still have 2 more ortho specialists I want to interview. So there is some hope re: the chronic pain. However, it may be a while before I'm able to get the surgery.

ViewsAskew
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Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by ViewsAskew »

So happy to hear all of this, Peanut. When are you thinking of having the surgery?
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

peanut1
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Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:06 am

Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by peanut1 »

Ann,

So sorry it's taken so long to get back. Been struggling a bit with the password situation. Last month, I finally found a surgeon that I feel comfortable having the surgery with. he wanted me to try the physical therapy and I was surprised that it really helped. Still in a motorized scooter part of the day at work, but on a good day I can walk the dog a little and the pain is considerably better. I exercise by using the stationary bike and swim during the week. will be seeing surgeon in a month to go over what's involved, healing time, risks etc. I will say I'm not looking forward to having the surgery since I will be living in the motorized scooter for a few months, but it's something I need to do at some point. Still debating when. the rls has been worse lately and I think a lot of it has to do with stress. I noticed that many times I can meditate and it will help the RLS. I may still have the insomnia, but the urge to move is greatly reduced.

ViewsAskew
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Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by ViewsAskew »

peanut1 wrote:Ann,

So sorry it's taken so long to get back. Been struggling a bit with the password situation. Last month, I finally found a surgeon that I feel comfortable having the surgery with. he wanted me to try the physical therapy and I was surprised that it really helped. Still in a motorized scooter part of the day at work, but on a good day I can walk the dog a little and the pain is considerably better. I exercise by using the stationary bike and swim during the week. will be seeing surgeon in a month to go over what's involved, healing time, risks etc. I will say I'm not looking forward to having the surgery since I will be living in the motorized scooter for a few months, but it's something I need to do at some point. Still debating when. the rls has been worse lately and I think a lot of it has to do with stress. I noticed that many times I can meditate and it will help the RLS. I may still have the insomnia, but the urge to move is greatly reduced.


That is good news! Yes, I also wouldn't be looking forward to it, but that it is an option, that you are doing better - that is all good.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

peanut1
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:06 am

Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by peanut1 »

Thanks Ann!

Sleep has been utterly horrendous! NONE of the meds are working and I'm having to triple and double triple them to get any decent sleep at all. Hence, I'm taking every other day off on the meds since I don't want to end up taking the whole bottle. I know this has to do with my fears about the surgery. I saw a hypnotist today who has helped with the RLS in the past. I have not mentioned this on any other post as it may sound silly, but for me it's really worked. Obviously I had to get someone really qualified, trained and doing this full time with who is booked several weeks out and rated 5 stars on yelp to really have it do anything.

peanut1
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:06 am

Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by peanut1 »

Hopefully the surgery will not exacerbate the RLS!

ViewsAskew
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Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by ViewsAskew »

However or whyever it works, it works. And, all any of us want is some sleep!
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

peanut1
Posts: 363
Joined: Sat Jun 04, 2011 8:06 am

Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by peanut1 »

Anne,
The hypnosis worked for a few weeks and then the RLS went out of control again. What it did help with most is me making my mind up to get the surgery unless my feet drastically improve.

So here's a really strange thing I tried:
A while back I read a book about mushrooms and the book displayed the toxic mushrooms and the non toxic mushrooms. The toxic one here in the us looks black on the cap. There is another toxic one in Europe that looks white. There are however, quite a few mushrooms that will cause gastric upset. Anyway I found some mushrooms in my yard and decided to see if this would help the sleep or the Restless leg. It did not match the description of the dangerous mushrooms. While the meds were not working the mushroom (what little of it I ate) did the trick. I was able to sleep 4 hours straight without even taking the appropriate iron that day or my hormone which is completely unheard of. I tried it again last night. Same thing. Laid down and slept 4 hours straight w/o any medications, didn't take my iron dose before bed or my hormones which never happens, particularly when I'm under stress about the surgery. I thought about taking more mushroom to get more sleep that night, but decided not to since this is a type of experiment of sorts. might post it on another page. I know the sleep neurologist i used to see told me of someone who used snake venom that worked for his restless leg. I'm not that desperate yet. I think I'm going to post something on wonky things that help. This would certainly be included in that!

badnights
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Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by badnights »

Wow. I would be careful of course. Best to try to get the mushroom identified - hard to do, I know.
Beth - Wishing you a restful sleep tonight
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ViewsAskew
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Re: RLS, Depression and Anti-depressants

Post by ViewsAskew »

Definitely be careful! Even mushroom experts can be fooled at times. But, what an interesting thing that it worked like that!
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

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