what anti-depressants can I use?

[Anonymous]

Have history of depression that is starting to worsen. My doctor and I have tried Cymbalta and Seroquel, but it really sets off my RLS. Can't take prozac (have tried in the past). Any suggestions? Also, should I be taking magnesium? Take Folate 1200 mg per day, but have heard that magnesium might help with RLS. Take mirapex and klonipin and maintain my RLS with that ok. Am new to this forum and would appreciate any feedback regarding treating this depression. Thanks and have a great day.

[Penguinrocks]

Hi Kskanne

My past experience with Effexor XR was totally brutal to my RLS, so I've since been put on Wellbutrin and am doing much better with that.

Penguin

[ViewsAskew]

Yeah, this is a problem. Try www.rlshelp.org and go to the medications section. The doctor there lists lots of stuff that helps, and goes through the ADs and explains which ones might work better. As Penguin noted, Wellbutrin is one that often works OK with RLS. I remember how miserable she was when she was on the Effexor. It's great that she found something else that helped. There are a couple others, too, that might work.

There are many things you can do to help with your RLS. Some of them are listed in this thread;

http://www.restlesslegs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1068

First, scroll down to the second post. Listed are things you can do before or while trying meds. There are many vitamins that help some people. Unfortunately, they don't help all, but it's a good thing in my book to try them and see.

Then, if you are interested, go back to the first post and click on the Links to Educate and Inform. There are many links there that could help, including alternative therapies and drugs to avoid.

Actually, any of the links in any of those posts are excellent reading material. It can be empowering to learn about this disorder so you can get better help and know if the help you are getting is appropriate.

Hope this helps.

Ann

[ANGELGIRL]

Hi Angelgirl here.

I was on Seroquel too for depression and post tramatic stress. They tried me on Zoloft and Lexapro but I had side effects and could take them.

The Seroquel forget it the RLS was unbearable. The worst part of it my phyciatrist kept telling me Seroquel had nothing to do with RLS.
I took him the medication alert card available here on the forum and he finally did some research and changed his tune.

I'm on Cymbalta now 60 mg. I was taking the Cymbalta at bedtime and my family doctor suggested taking it in the morning. The Cymbalta seems to -"wake up your brain" when you go to bed it starts your up. So I'm taking it in the morning.

What time of day did you take it.

Good luck and take one day at a time. Switching medications is tough especially when is antidepressants.

Lori- Angelgirl

I'm on 9 medications my self and sometimes its just a matter switching the time you take the pills.

[Anonymous]

I just found out about this site today and am so thankful to have a place to talk about RLS!!!!!! I too have been on many anti-depressants and have found Wellbutrin to be the best one for me. Went to my Dr. today, he has 'strongly' encouraged me to take Cymbalta 30 mg and up to 60 mg. I tried both and it seems to not help AT ALL, I feel like it makes it worse!!! I told him today that I didn't want to take it because it doesn't help and guess what he said????? "I think you need a Psychiatrist!!!" My RLS has been extremely bad for the last week and the last thing I need is a rude, insensitive Dr. that is frustrated because as he said, "nothing I do helps". Guess I need a 'new' Dr." Has anyone tried Requip???

I'm feeling so tired and frustrated~~

sherri

[Penguinrocks]

Hi Sherri and welcome!

I'm on Wellbutrin AND Requip

The requip does work, it works better for me on a higher dosage, but the migraines kick in if I go higher than .5

The wellbutrin is MUCH better than what I was on before.

The pain that I'm in and have been in for the past 4 days has been due to my Fibro and guys....I cannot tell you how much pain i am in. Believe it's time to call in sick tomorrow if it doesn't let up.

Love ya
Penguin

[ANGELGIRL]

Hi Angelgirl here- Lori

What are you taking for the RLS? Did you doctor have you on anything for the RLS? Did you have a sleep study?

I see you have listed Cymbalta listed as a medication you tried-for depression? What time of day did you take it?

It's hard to find a doctor who understands RLS and PLMS.

I had a sleep study done and granted I was on antidepressants- my family doctor said if she did a sleep study on anyone on antidepressants it would show abnormalities. She really didn't think do much about it. When I went to my pain managemnet doctor, rhematologist they were very concerned about the amount of twitching. I twitched 248 in3 hours and had no REM sleep and had increased ALPHA waves at night. All these things together makes it impossible to function- work, drive a car, or have any kind of life- period.....

At that time my phychatrist had me on Seraquel beacuse I couldn't take any other antidepressant and because of the seditive effect of Seraquel.
My pain managment doctor and family doctor suggested Cymbalta for pheripheral nerve damage and depression. I'm on 60 mg now. If you read my post above my phychatrist didn't believe the twitching was worsing my RLS symptoms. I ended up weaning myself off it myself.

My rhematologist then started me on the Mirapex at first I thought it helped then it just seemed not to work. Again not falling asleep again twitching severly, sleeping 1,2 hour a night or not at all.

I just started the Requip I guess about a month ago. I started the sample pack that gradually increases your dosage. I was able to get up to the
1 mg dosage without a problem. So far so good. It's been better.
Not real consistant night to night as far as sleeping and not sleeping or the amount of sleep I do get- I can say the twitching is better especially when watching TV relaxing. I still twitch at night but better.

If I were you I would find a doctor you connect with. I know it's hard to do. I've been there going to appt one after the other.

I ended getting very depressed because I went to one doctor who told me to stop taking all medications and just accept that your going to be in pain the rest of your life and get use to it. I got very depressed. My husband came to an appt with me and couldn't belive the way this doctor talked to me.

The pain management doctor I go to now told me when I stopped taking the medication as the first doctor said that's what me be in chronic pain-I was in a car accident and had a plat and screws put in my neck and ended up with severe muscle knots and spasms. The pain and spasms kept snowballing- the spasms got worse and worse- then diagnosed with fibro too.

When you find the right doctor alot of the stress and anxiety may let up. I've been there when you think you can't take another useless appt- coming out of the appt crying. Most of my stress came for doctors screwing me around-waiting for apptointments and disappointment.

I hope you find a doctor that matches you.

Good Luck

Angelgirl-Lori

[Anonymous]

Thanks to all of you for your help and support. It is such a relief to talk to people that can relate!!!

Penguin - I was put on Wellbutrin by a psychiatrist for depression. I have been taking it for quite a long time and it seems to keep me on a even keal (sp.) My current family physician gave me the sample packs of ReQuip but when I take it I feel very nauseated all day every day, even though I take it at bedtime. Did you have this side effect with the ReQuip and it goes away after time??? I finally stopped taking it after about a month but am going to try it again starting tonight.

Angelgirl-Lori - My current physician prescribed the Cymbalta for the RLS. I have been taking it for about 6 months (at bedtime) but I don't feel that it is actually helping at all. I have not had a sleep study and at this time, I am without health insurance which makes it difficult to go on a Dr. search. I am going to have to do something though because this Dr. I am going to is stressing me out more than he is helping. My psychiatrist also had me on Klonopin but my current Dr. doesn't want me taking it and he also objects to the fact that taking a pain pill at night actually helps me sleep. He seems to think that the Cymbalta is the cure all for RLS and those of us who suffer with it know for sure that there is no 'simple' black and white answer to this condition. I have tried all of the OTC pain meds (Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Aspirin, etc etc) they don't seem to touch the pain - why, I don't know.

By the way, my psychiatrist is no longer in practice or I would be going to him. He was at least aware and sensitive about RLS.

Thanks to you all for the support!!

Love and hugs. . .
sherri

[ANGELGIRL]

Angelgirl here

The Cymbalta is a new drug which just came out this year. I've been on the Cymbalta website and have gotten pamphlets when the medication first came out. I never saw any info that has it prescriped for RLS. Unless it's one of those meds that really isn't advertised for RLS but he's trying it.

I'm on 10 medications and I have insurance and still pay a co-pay for the medications and my drug bill for a month is about $375-$450 again just on copays.

I know the Cymbalta is expensive I think over $200 retail. I pay $50 for it.
I'm also on
Provigil,- keep me awake
Prevacid,- acid reflux
Daypro, antiinflamatory
Zanaflex, for muscle spasms
Ultracet, pain
Toprol XL, high blood pressure
Diovan, high blood pressure
Duragesic patch 25mg pain patch
Requip 1 mg, RLS

I'm not sure were your located but maybe someone here on the forum could direct you to a doctor in your area that has experience with RLS.
That will save you from getting yourself upset going to appts to doctors that don't have a clue how to treat you for the RLS.

I was reading an article in Arthritis Today Magazine about starting some kind of rating system for doctors. So you can match the doctor to the patient. It would give you ratings on doctors as far as personality, compassion etc. That would cut down on appts and gives you an idea what the doctors like.

Good Luck

Angelgirl

[jrowley]

Hi Sherri and welcome!

I'm on Wellbutrin AND Requip

The requip does work, it works better for me on a higher dosage, but the migraines kick in if I go higher than .5

The wellbutrin is MUCH better than what I was on before.

The pain that I'm in and have been in for the past 4 days has been due to my Fibro and guys....I cannot tell you how much pain i am in. Believe it's time to call in sick tomorrow if it doesn't let up.

Love ya
Penguin

I see you say the headaches kick in if you up your dose of requip well my doctor has me on depakote along with requip and i take wellbutrin for smoking. I am only taking .75 of the requip and thinking of moving up to 1mg so see how that helps. .75 seems to be helping some.

[Rubyslipper]

I was on Wellbutrin then went off (can't remember why) and went on Effexor ( for me the drug from hell! ) I have been trying to get off it slowly just like the doctor said and I have been totally miserable. I am so horribly dizzy and tired but most of all so disoriented that I can't tell which way is up. I am back on the Wellbutrin but I really don't know if what is going on is from the Effexor (it's been going on for over a week) or if I'm in fibrofog. Probably both. But from all I hear about Effexor, for most people it just isn't worth it. Sorry if I offend anyone who takes it and likes it. My husband is starting to loose patience and so am I. I really don't feel like going back to work tomorrow but I only have 1 1/2 days of sick leave left for the rest of the year. So I am whiney, grumpy, confused and scared. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[becat]

Aw my(((((( Rubyslippers))))))
I'm so sorry to hear about the withdrawl. Yes, I have not heard good things about that either. I hope this passes soon. Silly question, have you called the doc about this. Maybe even a pharmacist could help you to know if it is the Effexor or not. There is no good way to get off of some medications, is there?
I know your no whiney kind of gal.....tell hubby "don't make me call him!" LOL
Hugs to you honey and I hope this wears off soon.
See ya soon.

[Penguinrocks]

Hey Ruby

Just to let you know, I went thru the same exact thing coming off the effexor xr. Hang in there baby, I know it's a bumpy ride, but it will be over soon.

Just hell gettin' there.

Love
Penguin

[ViewsAskew]

Ruby, I hope you get through this quickly. It can only imagine how difficult that is.

I don't know if it offers any help at all, but I did find an article on withdrawal from ADs. Follow the yellow brick road to get there

New to RLS section,
Welcome Newcomers sticky,
Links to educate and inform link.
Drugs to avoid header

As Becat noted, some drugs are tough, tough, tough to get off of. I would hope that anyone thinking of taking benzodiazepines or anti-depressants could please 'hear' that. I don't think many of us fully know this when we jump into taking them. Our doctors either don't know or don't tell us. And sometimes we dont' 'hear' them when they tell us. I didn't 'hear' my one doctor, and my other doctors didn't tell me. I went through a minor version of withdrawal hell (it only lasted a couple of months, sometimes it lasts much longer) when I stopped Klonopin. I probably still would have taken it, but I might have insisted on drug holidays had I known. Not sure what can help with the ADs.

Ann

[Rubyslipper]

You know, that's why I love this board. There is so much support here and beyond that, you guys have learned your "stuff". Today is a little better and I know tomorrow will be better still. Next time, I'm going to check out ALL the side effects. It just can't be said enough, know what you are getting into. Don't depend on your doctor to know it all. Find out yourself. If I had I never would have gone on the crazy stuff. Thanks guys! Dorothy had great friends but I have even better!