Posted by JohnX on March 11, 2001, at 6:28:59
In reply to Antidepressants and restless leg syndrome, posted by Kebby on March 10, 2001, at 19:46:35
> I started taking Prozac about 9 years ago, and felt much better as a result. However, after about 6 years, I started to experience restless leg syndrome and fine hand tremors. I have tried other antidepressants subsequently, including Zoloft, Paxil, Remeron, and Celexa, and eventually have started experiencing restless leg syndrome with each one. I also take a small dose of desipramine as a prophylactic for migraines, but I am reluctant to increase this medication because of the greater number of side effects, including weight gain, with the older tricylics. I am thinking of trying Wellbutrin, and wondered if anyone had used this drug and whether they experienced the leg restlessness with it.
Kebby,
I experienced really bad RLS while taking Effexor. I learned that any serotonergic medication as most of those you described can cause RLS usually by reducing dopamine in an area of the noggin. Mirapex as Andrew has suggested is a dopaminergic agent and as such is a good idea to help RLS. I found serindipidously that Klonopin helped with RLS, and with subsequent research I discovered that benzodiazepines (anti-anxiety meds like Klonopin) are helpful for RLS as well as beta-blockers such as Inderall (propranolol). The benzos are addictive. I would go with Andrew's suggestion (the dopaminergic agents) and if that isn't succesfull try the beta-blocker (it helped me). The stronger beta-blockers like Inderall have a slight chance of inducing depression. Visken (pindolol) is a more mild beta blocker and may also help with RLS, and also actually generally helps relieve depression. I haven't tried it, but would like too.
-John
poster:JohnX
thread:56156
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010310/msgs/56178.html