ANTIDEPRESSANT

I have been a chronic rls sufferer since childhood and I am now 64 years old.

I am on numerous medications of which I will not divulge here as I feel that time would not permit (considering that this is my first post). And I actually have an extremely serious question that I am needing an immediate answer to.

I have been taken off my usual antidepressant and have had it replaced with one called MIRTAZON.

OMG .... the torture was unimaginable. I had 6 hours of full blown full body RLS convulsions. And to think that I actually asked him twice, 'Is this new antidepressant going to affect my RLS in any way'? And both times has answer was, 'No not at all, you have no need to fear'.

NO NEED TO FEAR MY ARSE !!

However, after realising the significance of taking that first pill and realising that, (without any shadow of doubt), what was beginning to happen, I was absolutely distraught.

I was suffering full blown full body RLS and I was beside myself as of what my next course of action should be.

Please, I beg of you, read this with empathy and compassion, and because I was absolutely desperate; I did something that I never thought I would ever do, (for the extreme fear that I had of the dreaded augmentation).

After suffering thru nothing short of 3 hrs of sheer torture, thru my total desperation, l made a decision that I didn't think I would ever be forced to make. ..?

So I did it, I took another Sifrol (which of course as most of you would know is an extremely potent medication designed to alleviate the hideous symptoms of RLS. It is also a Parkinson's drug.

What on earth was my next course of action going to be? I knew I could not last much longer. The convulsions were now getting more (and seriously, not trying to add salt into the wound ... I can actually do a pretty good impersonation of Michael J Fox on steroids)!! but the convulsions were becoming more severe and the symptoms of RLS were beginning to turn to pain, something had to be done.

And all the while I am begging, please God, I have had this affliction since I was 5, I am now 64 and I just can't do it again. I simply cannot do it again, but he has never listened to my pleas.

The decision had to be made, and had to be made very soon, as I was beginning to recognise that I couldn't continue on like this for much longer.

Eventually I had to reach for the Sifrol and as I took another dose I contemplated augmentation (but only for a couple of seconds. I will face that when the time comes).

Another 3 hours passed, with still no relief was in sight. Apparently it was going to take more than an extra Sifrol to ease my suffering. By now I had almost given up all hope of any sleep whatsoever, so I up-ended a bottle of sleepers. I have absolutely no idea how many I took but I do know that shortly thereafter I fell asleep, or maybe the correct words should be, 'I passed out shortly thereafter'.

So my question for .... anyone, really .... is
'In your experiences with antidepressants, can you please offer me some names that have not exacerbated your restless legs symptoms?

FYI .... I am an Australian living in Brisbane, so Australian names would be seriously appreciated. Actually forget that ... any names would do.

I thank you all so much for taking the time to read this dribble.

TEAH

Whatever, it didn't matter at the time. I was out of my discomfort and I didn't wake til 3:30 the following day .... possibly 9 hours.

And as the time is now 4:30am there virtually no chance of falling asleep anytime now soon either, but at least I have no RLS and to me that is sheer Heaven.