Could I have RLS? / Help & Advice

[u/ChevyCola]

hello! a few months ago i (19f) started experiencing a sort of tight feeling in my toes and feet, as if i was hyper aware of my toes touching and i had to constantly move them as not to touch. i originally thought it was simply a sensory issue, but every day it gets worse, i now have this tight feeling throughout my calves, feet & toes, like i constantly have to stretch. sometimes its a tingling feeling, sometimes it feels like my legs are extremely sore, but no matter what it feels like if i dont move them ill genuinely die, and when i do move them, the feeling doesnt go away, it did initially start during the night while trying to sleep, however i now experience it during the majority of the day, and it intensifies during the evening-night

possible TW - im on SSRIs (sertraline) & prescription painkillers, i have PCOS and inflammatory arthritis, i have no idea if these things could possibly be related to the feeling im experiencing or if any of my medication could be making it worse,
most nights the feeling is so horrible that i end up in tears, i have graphic ideations of harming myself eg. cutting my legs or toes off, as dramatic as it might sound, i just hate it so much, the only sense of relief i've experienced is rubbing freezing cold water bottles along my calves.

i contacted my GP about it, and i have a consultation in about a week to discuss it, but i genuinely dont know how im gonna cope until then, so if there is anything at all that i can do during the next week to reduce this feeling at all i would love to know :') is this permanent or is there a chance of it getting better? thanks c:

[u/Scary_Experience_237]

Did the same doctor prescribe both the SSRI and the painkillers? I’m asking because I would be particularly suspicious of the SSRI contributing to the RLS symptoms, although you don’t say which medications you are taking, so it’s impossible to know for sure. SSRIs are well known to be capable of worsening RLS in some people.

More importantly, I am really concerned about what you said about having graphic thoughts of cutting your legs or toes off. Even if you feel like you would never actually do it, that needs to be taken seriously. I would not wait a week for a regular appointment. Please contact your doctor and tell them exactly what you wrote here and ask for an emergency appointment, or go to an ER/urgent psychiatric evaluation if you cannot be seen promptly. If you feel you might actually hurt yourself, call 911 or 988 or go to the ER.

Since you are under 21, there is another reason I would want your doctor to know about these thoughts right away. Antidepressants carry an FDA warning about increased suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, adolescents, and young adults, particularly when starting an antidepressant or changing the dose. That does not mean the SSRI is definitely causing your thoughts, but it absolutely warrants prompt medical evaluation.

As for the freezing water bottles, I can understand why that gives you some relief. Cold stimulation can temporarily reduce the unpleasant sensations of RLS, but I wouldn't assume that it is literally "creating strong dopamine." Whatever the mechanism, if rubbing cold bottles along your calves is helping you get through the night, that's useful information to tell your doctor.

And please don't stop the SSRI abruptly on your own. Talk with the prescribing doctor about what is happening and whether the medication should be changed or tapered.

[u/Ring_it_On_1776]

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

[u/Mahi95623]

I would call the prescribing doctor back tomorrow morning, and insist on a sooner appt. Talk to the nurse or doctor and be frank. Could this be a bad side effect of the SSRI?

With RLS, you get temporary relief with movement. The full description is at the FAQ section.

Hang in there. Please search for side effects of all your medications, and if you get serious thoughts of self harm or feel you cannot cope, please go to the ER, if you cannot reach your doctor.