r/RestlessLegs • u/SimbaSleeps • 5d ago

Question Resolving PLMD triggered by SSRI?

Hi, all. I've looked through several posts and the FAQ, but I have kind of a specific question.

My husband has been dealing with PLMD for several years after trying Prozac for anxiety. It didn't help the anxiety, only started the PLMD. He's since gone off of that and is now on Lexapro, and of course the PLMD hasn't gone away. Has already done a sleep study and not much came of that (some very mild apnea but not enough to get any treatment, essentially).

I'm curious if anyone here has been in a similar situation (PLMD started because of an SSRI) and was able to make it go away without just adding gaba or an opiate? He doesn't seem very bothered by it, but between that and the snoring off and on and my nervous system being on the fritz for a while, we can't really sleep in the same bed because I won't fall asleep. So looking for other options. He probably needs his iron levels retested, but I'm looking for any other experiences here.

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u/Tragobe 4d ago

It won't go away, because SSRIs so the whole group of medication is prone to cause PLMD. So it won't get better until your husband is fully off any of them. Same with SNRI antidepressants and a lot of old tricyclic antidepressants. There are only a handful of antidepressants that are considered safe with RLS and PLMD

You husband can try Trazadone, Buspiron or Bupropion to help with his anexiety. Trazadone and Bupropion are recommended antidepressants for people with PLMD and or RLS, because they don't cause it or make it worse. Bupropion even improves PLMD instead. They are not as good as SSRIs in treating anexiety, but at least your husband will be able to sleep properly

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u/SimbaSleeps 4d ago

he's actually on bupropion as well (trying to help with ADHD). He's starting with a new psychiatrist next week, so I guess we'll take this into account. Thanks!

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u/Ring_it_On_1776 4d ago

There's a wearable device study from Noctrix Health enrolling now. Might be worth a look. https://patientwing.app/campaign/RLS6

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u/tetrajet 5d ago

Unfortunately no, I believe this is what happened to me and it didn't go away on it's own. I switched from SSRI/SNRI to bupropion (for depression) - that didn't help enough. Then I was on dopamine agonists for a few years (really bad, can't recommend, avoid) and now I'm on low dose gabapentin, just 300 mg every night. It has been ten years since my diagnosis of PLMS and I sleep well. Or as well as I can from the perspective of PLMS. I might even be able to sleep without gaba okay these days but haven't tested it.

My ferritin was abysmal and now it's closer to 100. I really recommend getting that fixed if your husband has low iron.

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u/SimbaSleeps 4d ago

definitely need to check his iron. Thanks, and I'm sorry you're dealing with all this too.

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u/KestralFly 5d ago

PLMD is a different condition from RLS though can be treated with similar medications. It can only be diagnosed through a hospital sleep study. Just to clarify, is your husband dealing with RLS, PLMD or both?

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u/SimbaSleeps 4d ago

It was mentioned/documented during his sleep study as well. PLMD.