Posted by Stan on March 24, 2003, at 21:35:18
In reply to Restless Leg Syndrome Relief, posted by Lumina on March 24, 2003, at 19:21:59
> I started taking Effexor XR around six weeks ago, after trying almost every SSRI, plus Wellbutrin and Serezone. At 225 mgs, I've had virtually no side effects (but virtually no relief). 10 days ago, I suddenly developed Restless Leg Syndrome, most likely a result of the Effexor. I am weaning myself off the Effexor and am now down to 150 mgs. My PCP has referred me to a psychiatrist and prescribed Ambien to help me sleep through the RLS. Ambien works great, but only for four hours and, of course, only at night. The crawling sensation forces me to stand at work. My depression tells me to stay in bed; the RLS tells me to walk constantly. I still have two days until my appointment with the pyschiatrist and I am extremely uncomfortable. My doctor doesn't seem to know what to do, and fears this is a long-term condition awakened by the medication (I have a history of kicking, frequent myoclonic twitches, and teeth grinding). How long will this last and what can I do in the meantime?
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hi lumina -- hopefully the psychiatrist you see will be familiar with RLS and be willing to let you try a dopamine agonist such as mirapex or requip (primarily used to treat parkinson's disease but quite effective for many RLS patients). here's a helpful website with lots of restless legs info: http://www.rlshelp.org
try to hang in there till your app't in a couple of days -- i don't know of any "quick fix" that will help you in the meantime that doesn't require a fresh Rx -- if your current doctor isn't familiar with the syndrome, chances are that he/she won't want to prescribe the drugs i mentioned above without researching them, and that would probably take at least a couple of days. i ran into the same problem when i was seeking relief from the same condition. good luck,
Stan
poster:Stan
thread:212304
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030319/msgs/212343.html