RLS & depression

[Guest guest]

Hi, Pam, and all,

My opinion, in most of us, the RLS comes first, and then the depression

follows. Of course, with manic depression, that is a different thing. My

father is bi-polar, so I can relate.There are so many different kinds of

depression.

I have been going through quite a bit of depression lately, and it is

very hard to pull yourself out of it sometimes. Money, lack of good

health, work; all of these things can get to you. I usually bounce back,

but it has been hard since my back surgery, and now this bout with

bronchitis and pneumonia. But, we all have our own problems that affect

our everyday thinking. I give myself pep talks every day(my cat thinks I

am nuts!)

I think the sleep deprivation that goes along with the RLS, is what

causes me to be depressed. The mind ceases to function the way you are

used to, and that is difficult to deal with. My short-term memory is

gone, as I know a lot us can lay the same claim. This is very

frustrating, and is affecting my job performance, and it is making it an

extremely tense work situation. I feel like a totally different person,

some days.

ANYWAY, Pam, the point I am trying to make is, do not feel alone! We can

come up with reasons NOT to be depressed every day, but it can extremely

difficult. I try to think of one good thing everyday, and say " things

are not so bad, I still have this.... " Somedays are easier than others.

Well, that was pretty philisophical for me, so early in the morning!

Have a good day everyone, and think positive.

Pleasant thoughts,

Donna/Vt/42

[Guest guest]

Yo, Pam,

Many of us have/had various levels of depression directly related to the

RLS/PLMS. After about eighteen months of severe RLS/PLMS and only getting

2-3.5 hours of sleep each night, I became depressed. I managed to get it under

control but long periods of sleep depravation are a sure way to depression, no

matter who you are. Xanax worked as a dual medication for me, at night to

sleep, lessor amounts during the day for depression and daytime RLS.

Serzone and the tryciclides(sp) made my RLS/PLMS worse, as it has to others

also. Valium has been known to work also. Work closely with your doctor to

find what's right for you. Currently I take 2400Mg Neurontin at night with

30-60Mg of Restoril. As I mentioned In a previous post, I sleep for 6-7 hours

but it is not restorative sleep and I am zombied for 2/3 of the day. I am

going back to the xanax if this Neurontin doesn't start working

Ed-Cyberphilly