... Syndrome to stay away from medications used to treat depression. Anyone have RLS triggered by Trazodone
I was just prescribed Trazodone for insomnia BUT was told by my Dr. that treats my Restless Leg?
Question posted by SharleneXO on 24 Nov 2012
Last updated on 23 July 2024 (8 weeks ago) by eakeesler
12 Answers
eakeesler
23 July 2024
I have RLS and I was given trazodone for insomnia and whew... it made my RLS go nuts. After 2 nights on the pills, they went in the trash. Either I don't sleep because of insomnia or don't sleep because of the trazodone and RLS. I opted for the insomnia.
afjordan
12 July 2024
It's been a long while since RLS was bad, but recently my insomnia worsened and doctors put on a few different things, like seroquel, trazodone, elavil and phenergan. I honestly thought I was going to die with the combination of RLS so bad and also palpitations.
redskynite
20 May 2020
I was prescribed Trazodone 50mg for my RLS and Insomnia recently. I used this for two days, the first day I used 1/4 of a pill and the next day 1/2 of a pill.
I have a very low tolerance for meds so that is why I decided to use a low dose.
After taking both pill doses on separate days I experienced a very solid flare up of RLS.
At first I could not believe this was happening so I assumed that the small dose wasn't enough to calm the RLS... WRONG because after using the dose of 1/2 a pill the RLS was much worse.
I also want to mention I felt chest tightening in the beginning which disappeared after RLS appeared.
Now the funny thing about this post is I did not realize that back in Sept 2016 I was on this site asking if anyone else had bad flare ups with RLS after using this med, it seems I did not remember I took this before.
I have been to 5 different sleep specialist over the years to help with my RLS, and the out come seems to be the symptoms always have the upper hand.
smrta13
17 May 2020
Yes, these comments are pretty old but came across it when googling if trazodone will flare up RLS. Can not believe so many others have the same problem. I was recently put on trazodone for sleep and regret taking it. Also, agree with the gabapentan comment. My doctor said it would help it and again, regret taking that. I have slept 3 hours in 2 days and feel like I'm going insane. Doc. Also said try magnesium. I also did that with no luck.
I feel for all that deal with RLS and people who don't experience it really just don't get it.
Smo1225
3 May 2019
I recently gathered enough courage to take the neurontin (aka Gabapentin) prescribed by a neurologist for painful neuropathic feet. It is supposed to help with seizures, neuropathic feet and RLS. Since most meds seem to exasperate my RLS, I was hesitant. Sure enough, I was hit with the most severe RLS I've had in a long time. (Earlier this year, I found that Zantac also exacerbated my RLS.) I don't think anyone who has not had RLS can fully understand the intense misery that it causes.
Jaysu 25
14 Feb 2018
Just tried it again tonight knowing that it made my RLS way worse but, I hadn't taken it for about 10 years so I thought I would try it again. Bad idea, I took it at 10 and it is now 1:30 a.m. and my legs are on fire and feel like I'm being stung.
funnyname
26 Feb 2018
I am taking Requip and trazodone at night and it does help me sleep better than I was without it. But I have been given nothing else and I suffer greatly when not asleep. The doctor gave me Cymbalta and I took it for 2 days and it made me so much worse. I stopped. I have never been able to take antidepressants before I got restless legs as they made me anxious. The doctors always try to give them to you for everything from menopause to blocking pain. Along with the RLS I have horrible hypersensitivity and itchiness witch is as bad as the RLS. When I have a day where RLS symptoms aren't as bad, I almost always have some degree of the other symptoms and it's awful. Anyone else?
Mamiek
23 Oct 2018
Yes and I think I am on the road to losing my mind. You can only go do long without sleep and , if you already have insomnia, the rls on makes it worse! I desperately need a cure.
Alaskarange
23 Oct 2018
I too suffer from RLS, and have for approximately 40 years. During this time, I have learned, that all antidepressants, antipsychotics, Benadryl, flexeril, and some allergy medicines will trigger RLS. For the past 4 years I have been taking Tramadol ER, and the immediate release tablets daily, and been having good luck with this regime. It’s unfortunate that antidepressants trigger RLS, as I have found due to the severity of some peoples RLS that you can become quite depressed. I also take Valium for the times the RLS causes anxiety. I found that, and Ativan are the only two things that don’t make my symptoms worse. Good luck! I hope you find some relief, as I know how maddening RLS is!
Mamiek
23 Oct 2018
Agree, Alaskarange! I have had doctors and nurses tell me that trazodone does not affect RLS, but i tell them, Spend one night in my body and you will go crazy yourself! They just don't get it if they don't have it and EVERYONE'S body is different. Some people can take certain things and some can't. It's so frustrating. I told doctors about 30 years ago that Benadryl made it worse and they laughed at me. Now, studies find that I was telling the truth! LISTEN TO YOUR PATIENTS! WE DON'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP! GEEEEZ!
debmac75
12 Jan 2018
Yes! Took 100mg about 3 hours ago for insomnia and wide awake due to RLS!
Mamiek
23 Oct 2018
This!
baldphd
18 Jan 2015
For your RLS, have you tried a bar of soap unwrapped placed in a sock and placed under bottom sheet at the foot of your bed ? I first heard this when doing my cardiology rotation. Patients say it works very well. I have recommended this "remedy" ever since. There is not alot of research on this, however patients report it does. No Dove, or Irish Spring. For some patients a light lavender scent work well. Good luck.
Sparky08
27 April 2017
Wow! To think that you're in the medical field is scary! The placebo effect may only work for people who don't have RLS, they have something else going on. RLS in no joke. It's a disease that can't be cured & pretty much can destroy/change your life. I can't work, I can't sleep, can't concentrate, short term memory loss... I'm in agony 24/7. Seems the longer you've been treating it the worse it becomes. I've been treating it for 10 years and my life has changed drastically. Wish a dumb bar of soap was the answer.
funnyname
21 Dec 2017
I came hear to read about RLS and taking Trazadone. I can't believe a doctor made the unbelievable statement about a bar of soap. RLS is so awful and I am looking for help, not insanity.
Alaskarange
22 April 2018
The bar of soap method may work with some whose symptoms are very mild, but I can tell you from experience, that it does not work. I have been suffering with this horrible disease for over 40 years. I’ve been on all the traditional meds used for treatment, but after a while, they all seem to cause augmentation. Unfortunately, my symptoms have gotten so bad, I currently take extended release Tramadol in addition to the immediate release tablets. I am to the point where they are no longer as effective, and my Dr will not prescribe me anything else. It is currently 1:10 am, and I am ready to jump out of my skin! I would not wish this disease on anyone!
Mamiek
23 Oct 2018
Sparky 08, exactly!
nikkiandvicky55
18 Feb 2022
I too had a cardiologist say the same thing. Told me to try soap. I told him that’s nuts. He said my RLS was all in my head. Then my family doctor found out and he sent me to see a psychiatrist. Do your own research on line and then find a doctor that specializes in RLS. I don’t want to say anything bad about my family doctor, I know he thinks he was doing what he felt was best for me. If these doctors would just search the internet, they would then know how to treat someone with RLS
TracyNicole
18 Jan 2015
Trazadone gives me horrible RLS.
Cheylene1815
17 Dec 2016
Even though your comment is from 4 years ago, I agree with it. I was just put on trazodone and every night I get RLS like my mother used to before she passed away. Did you find a way to get it to stop? If so, what was it?
debmac75
12 Jan 2018
me too!
JeantheBean
14 May 2018
Trazodone is one of two antidepressants that are not supposed to worsen RLS, according to Restless Legs Foundation. (Wellbutrin is the other.) All the others do make RLS worse. One good study, published in Japanese Society of Sleep Research, found that Trazodone improves RLS symptoms. That has been my experience.
Injunuity365
18 Oct 2018
I'm prescribed trazodone 100mg. It makes me feel tired but doesn't make me sleep and I get bad RLS whem I take it which is probably the main cause of not being able to fall asleep when I take it. Modern medicine is frustrating. Too bad we couldn't go back to our natural ancestral ways that the government stole.
Mamiek
23 Oct 2018
Same! Just prescribed trazodone for insomnia. Was taking 1 mg of Klonopin, sometimes 1.5. Also take 4 mg Requip and 600mg Horizant. I have had rls all of my life but sometimes it’s not as bad. Now, with the Trazodone, it is insane. Stronger than ever and will not go away until I finally get up like at 12 am to take a hot bath or walk for like 30 minutes. I have had it continue while I was standing. (Sometimes I am so sleepy that I can hardly walk without staggering, so I just stand at the kitchen counter to hold me up while I close my eyes.) I am getting to the point of being so tired in the mornings that I stagger when I get up. I increased the trazodone from 50 mg to 100 and it does make me sleepy but the rls is exacerbated. I see my dr tomorrow, but she’s a psychiatrist and says she knows nothing about rls, so I guess a neurologist is next.
happybrandee
24 Nov 2012
I was on Trazodone for a few years and I have RLS and it actually helped with it . I have never heard anyone that I know who takes Trazodone say that it triggers theirs. Sorry... :(
SharleneXO
25 Nov 2012
Thanks everybody! I went ahead and tried it last night and slept like a baby!! WooHoo!! First time in a long time! Have an Iron infusion on Monday so look out dreamland... I am coming for a visit! Happy Holidays All!! ~ Sharlene
happybrandee
25 Nov 2012
I am so happy for you that you were able to sleep with no problems!! Hopefully this trend will continue for you!! good luck to you!! I wish you well!! :))))
funnyname
13 Dec 2018
I take Ropinirole for restless legs and it does help a lot. I take Trazodone at night to help me sleep and it does that and I have not noticed it making my restless legs worse. I think different things trigger different people. Any of the antidepressants like Celexa or Prozac are in a different category and make my restless legs bad. I have pain issues and also think pain meds would help me and doctors don't prescribe it.
'
funnyname
13 Dec 2018
I take Ropinirole for restless legs and it does help a lot. I take Trazodone at night to help me sleep and it does that and I have not noticed it making my restless legs worse. I think different things trigger different people. Any of the antidepressants like Celexa or Prozac are in a different category and make my restless legs bad. I have pain issues and also think pain meds would help me and doctors don't prescribe it.
'
kaismama
24 Nov 2012
Yes, its not listed in the contraindications for trazedone. I have no idea why he would say that.
LaurieShay
24 Nov 2012
Never heard of trazodone causing restless leg or any other antidepressant for that matter. Many antidepressants have a calming effect so not sure why the doc treating the RLS is wanting you to stay away from them.
SharleneXO
24 Nov 2012
i was on several different antidepress. and they all triggered my RLS. so did my blood pressure medication and Benadryl. I currently take requip and the narcotic oxy to get me thru this (for some reason) tough episode of RLS. my iron got very low so i also just started b-12 shots and vitamin e. PERHAPS it is certain antidepress meds eh? guess i better do some research. Thanks LaurieShay!!
robzen
19 Feb 2018
Trazodone an hour or so ago and now I'm fighting RLS so bad it is agitating I took a Percocet hopefully that will counteract it
Related topics
depression, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, trazodone, medication
Further information
- Trazodone uses and safety info
- Trazodone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Trazodone (detailed)
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