RLS and sertraline

Hi Kevin. Yes I agree with you it gave me restless body. Benadryl, melatonin, certain antacids such as Tagamet and Zantac will cause RLS in susceptible individuals.

I cannot advocate this but found what helps DURING an attack or if taken about an hour before sleep is chelated iron (iron that is broken down so that it is readily absorbed) Best if taken on an empty stomach. I am NOT anemic and I have healthy iron stores. The iron taken in this fashion is a treatment not a cure. It is like taking aspirin for headaches. It works each and every time (for me) without fail but must be taken each and every night, because it is not a cure. It is worth a shot but if you get relief and want to continue using it must be discussed with a doctor. The iron worked even while taking the sertraline. But stopping the drug was the best relief. So now just sporadic, mild RLS.

Someone mentioned coconut water on here and that is unbelievably fascinating and I must try that instead of iron.

Yes, Kevin -- I take 2 antidepressants sertraline and mirtazapine. I had RLS before I started on them, but it became much worse -- every night. I tried many things but I don't want to stop the drugs becaue they work for PTSD. So I tried acupuncture and it is working! My neurologist says that RLS is related to the pain pathways so there is some basis for it. I went to acupuncture 2 x week for 4 weeks and now 1 x week. On the one day a week I do have RLS it is milder and controlled with Tramadol. I have been taking iron supplements for about a year because of low iron stores, but that did not help as much as the acupuncture and tramadol. There's always a risk/benefit trade off with meds.

Yes I take sertraline and mirtazapine and both of those can cause RLS.  But I found acupuncture stopped the RLS, and I still take both meds.