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Legendary
Member Since Mar 2011
Location: USA
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#1
Akathisia is an awful thing to experience. It's a sensation of restlessness that won't let you sit or lie down for long. Some people call it Restless Leg Syndrome. In bed, you toss and turn and can't find a position to relax in. You can't sit still in even the most comfortable recliner chair. You can't sit and watch TV. You want to keep moving, but you can't enjoy going for a walk. Nothing feels satisfying, but you desperately want to find some way to feel okay. I think it's awful.
I seem prone to it. When my dose of amitriptyline was boosted up by a lot without doing so gradually, I got this syndrome. I also got it when I was taking Librium (a benzo) and stopped taking that med suddenly. I also got it twice from cold medication that I took too much of. I also got it from being anemic. I live in fear of getting it because it can feel intolerable . . . like I'ld do anything to escape it. Has anyone out there experienced this? Doctors know that people on psych meds can get it from two possible causes. One is from suddenly stopping some psych meds. Another is from rapidly increasing certain psych meds. Has anyone been treated for akathisia or Restless Leg Syndrome. I think I've heard that cogentin is a med given for something like this. I'm wondering if there are any good antidotes to akathisia. |
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Monster on the Hill
Member Since Sep 2020
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#2
Yes. I'm particularly prone to akathisia as well. Cogentin is usually first line of treatment, but I can't take that. I'm currently on Haldol which gives me wicked nasty akathisia but I take valium for it and it works. I'm not too happy about being on a benzo indefinitely, but it's better than the torture of akathisia and it's better than the torture of schizoaffective d/o.
Btw, Restless Leg Syndrome is usually in your legs only at night, akathisia is your whole body and all day long. Propranolol or Requip are some other meds you might want to look into __________________ [Insert thought-provoking and comedic quote here] |
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Legendary
Member Since Mar 2011
Location: USA
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#3
@MuddyBoots - "torture" is a good word for this syndrome. Thanks for distinguishing it from RLS. I've been confused about that. Thank you, also, for sharing about the meds that can be helpful for akathisia. I hope you have continued success in keeping this side effect at bay.
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Legendary
Member Since Oct 2004
Location: usa
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#4
It’s misery!!!!
Requip took care of my risperal Akathesia! Good luck __________________ schizoaffective bipolar type PTSD generalized anxiety celexa, prazosin, risperdal and prn klonopin and helpful cogentin |
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Legendary
Member Since Mar 2011
Location: USA
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#5
Quote:
Yes, "misery" is the word. I don't see how anyone could tolerate living with akathisia or RLS. But I read that it's quite common as a side effect in persons taking anti-psychotics. |
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Elder
Member Since Oct 2019
Location: UK
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#6
Yes to RLS no to akathisia (I just learned a new word thanks.
To me RLS can be like a jolt sometimes from my low back, it was worse when I had anaemia. My mum has/had it and I think there’s a hereditary link. |
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Legendary
Member Since Mar 2011
Location: USA
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#7
Anemia definitely can cause it. That's how my anemia got diagnosed in 2016. I went to a pdoc complaining of fidgetyness from my hips down. Blood work showed I was seriously anemic.
I think you're right about genetics being a factor. A sister of mine has had it too. |
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Magnate
Member Since Mar 2021
Location: California
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#8
I agree that akathisia is like torture. I have had it on different antipsychotics, am prone to it and having tried different medications to ameliorate it have found success with gabapentin. I take 900 mg - 1200 mg at bedtime. Try it!
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Legendary
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#9
I'll keep gabapentin in mind. I waa on it in the past. It made me very hungry at night.
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New Member
Member Since Jul 2023
Location: United States
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#10
Yeah. I was only on Seroquel short term, low dose but I had to stop because it started up and was painful. That was the first med I had that pain sensation. I have to be careful with other sedative meds because it will ramp right back it up to max pain for a night - certain muscle relaxants, certain allergy meds.
I actually didn’t know there was medicine options to counteract it, I didn’t get much advice about it. I was taking more B vitamins to try to get past it but it took time more than anything. Took some months to get it manageable, i think I might still have a little weakness that remains today but it’s not painful or irritating anymore. |
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New Member
Member Since Jul 2023
Location: United States
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#11
I didn’t know this for the longest time I’d been calling it RLS for years. It started off in the legs for me, lower legs especially, and those extreme night pains came first. At some point, kinda rapidly, it became a constant all day thing and all encompassing. The lingering effects after meds were in the legs and arms.
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Member
Member Since Dec 2015
Location: Australia
Posts: 153
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#12
I'm prone to it too! It's awful, isnt it. So uncomfortable, I dont last long on a new med with it. I've been told that it could eventually go away, but that most dont last.
I dont feel it's the same as restless leg syndrome though. |
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Legendary
Member Since Mar 2011
Location: USA
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#13
I read an article once that said RLS was a form of akathisia. Maybe that's wrong and got me confused.
I've had the RLS from severe anemia. It was just the legs and only at night. It's supposed to be due to a low iron level in the brain. I've had the all-over thing around the clock from drug withdrawal. Drugs were Librium or hydrocodone. I've also had it from too much cold medication or a too rapid increase in dose of amitriptyline. |
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Poohbah
Member Since Dec 2015
Location: Phoenix
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#14
I had akathisia the time I tried Latuda. Both my mom and myself cant take anti-psychotics, tho.
__________________ Bipolar 2 with anxious distress mixed states & rapid cycling under severe stress tegretol 200 mg wellbutrin 75 mg, cut in half or higher dose as needed Regular aerobic exercise SKILLSET/KNOWLEDGE BASE: Family Medical Advocate Masters in Library Science Multiple Subject Teaching Credential-15 yrs in public schools |
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Legendary
Member Since Mar 2011
Location: USA
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#15
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Member
Member Since Dec 2015
Location: Australia
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#16
Yes had it before and my drs didnt recommend anything for it.
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Legendary
Member Since Mar 2011
Location: USA
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#17
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Elder
Member Since Sep 2008
Location: Scotland, UK
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#18
I suffer from severe restlessness in my whole body, I can't sit still as my legs hurt, especially my thighs and knees. Again, this is mostly at night, but the inner and outer restlessness is there all the time. I'm pacing about a lot, too. I also have tremors in my body too. This isn't a new thing for me but the duration is a new thing normally it lasts less than a month... im on month 4 of restlessness. I have been prescribed Procyclidine 5mg to be taken in the morning. If after a month I see no benefit, I'm to call GP to get it upped to twice a day.
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Legendary
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Location: USA
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#19
Quote:
I'm very sorry to hear that you are experiencing this. Do you know if it is related to any medication you've taken? Hopefully the Procyclidine will kick in and alleviate the restlessness. You deserve serious medical attention to resolve this awful problem. |
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Elder
Member Since Sep 2008
Location: Scotland, UK
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#20
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