Posted by Robert_Burton_1621 on July 1, 2015, at 5:35:12
In reply to Re: Akathisia? Restless Leg Syndrome? Need Some Advice » scleme1, posted by SLS on June 29, 2015, at 22:21:55
> Akathisia with Zoloft (sertraline) is not unusual. This might be because it is an antagonist of sigma-1 receptors; something unique among the SSRIs. Luvox (fluvoxamine) does just the opposite. Still, you might not be experiencing akathisia per se. In akathisia, there are no focal sensations in the limbs. Also, akathisia presents all day long, not just at bedtime.
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> Have you tried Luvox?> Your experience might very well be behavioral and psychosomatic. CBT could be your answer.
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> - ScottI agree with Scott (not that I'm nearly as knowledgeable) about zoloft - and some other SSRIs - being capable of causing akathisia as well as his observation that what you report experiencing solely at night time is unlikely to be akathisia.
As regards RLS, SSRIs can also cause this, but in your recount you don't mention symptoms concentrated initially and primarily in the legs, and neither do you state that the urge to move worsens with rest or immobility. RLS is usually worse in the evening but is definitely not restricted to that period. Do you get heavy, irritable limbs during the day when you relax, like when you watch the TV? With RLS, movement usually brings immediate relief - do you get *relief* through moving?
Apart from medication, low iron levels can cause RLS. Have you had these checked?
If your mental health can sustain it, I wonder whether it might be prudent to lower your zoloft a bit and see whether the symptoms improve? I experienced exactly what you describe when I was taking more than 300mg of effexor; the symptoms disappeared when I reduced to 225mg.
As for medications to treat RLS (and also I think akathisia), a dopamine agonist may be helpful. For RLS, pramipexole is usually prescribed.
Good luck.
poster:Robert_Burton_1621
thread:1080069
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20150629/msgs/1080135.html