So… I’ve finally accepted that my depression is really affecting my ability to socialise as much as the stroke brain damage did. But I have Restless Leg Syndrome and can’t take antidepressants, even herbal ones. I’ve heard that an American drug called bupropion works and doesn’t affect the RlS. My doctor is no help. Does anyone know about this drug or anything else that won’t interfere with Clopidogrel. I thought about Melatonin, but I don’t think it’s good to take with Clopidolgrel.
This article That notes that antidepressants which raise serotonin risk increasing RLS and that bupropion affects dopamine levels more than serotonin?
All medications and indeed food and drink and supplements as well as modern plastic wrapped medications will interact and they all have effect on or from other drugs. clopidogrel is nothing extraordinary in this regard but as an antiplatelet it can suppress or amplify other medications effects or be affected itself
it’s not a case in many instances of “can’t take it” it is a case of dosages of the whole cocktail have to be a altered to recognise interactions.
That probably means a month or three of blood tests and tweaking and your GP should definitely be able to manage that.
There are none drug related antidepressant therapies
Eg
I would look into alternative therapies. Cedarwood oil really helps me (has documented anti spasm properties). (peppermint also good to relax muscles). I am a fan of essential oils
Next I’d look into Red Light Therapy. It does much to stimulate your mitochondria and depression. It also regulates your natural production of melatonin (I take serotonin (from which we make melatonin) gummies at night) . It penetrates your skin (880nm does) and really addresses a lot of issues. 1000s of scientific papers on photo biomodulation. Failing that, get lots of outdoor life & sunlight
Next there’s Shilajit, from the Himalayan mountains. Great for energy levels and fatigue
So many other things have helped me personally like Qigong, Healy, iTeracare, Essential oils, exercise, the brain rehab portal, my support team, my spouse, good sleep, gut microbiome, the list goes on.
Hope you improve your situation ; if you’d like more info on any of these topics, please ask. I don’t take any drugs other than my BP meds (for my own reasons). Good luck,
Roland
Thanks. I’ve taken different kinds of antidepressants and doses in the past and they exacerbate the RLS. And herbal remedies. I’ll have to read the rest of your message and try to understand it later as I can’t take in a lot in one go since my stroke. I will check out your suggestions.
Thanks, I haven’t heard of Red Light therapy, but I know about light therapy for SAD. I’ve been using Rosemary oil. to help my brain recover. Winters in England are not conducive to sunlight and outdoor life, so will try your other suggestions as well. And our summer hasn’t been all that great. I’ve tried St Johns Wort, but that made the RLS worse. I’m not keen on drugs either and think the depression has really clouded my already poor damaged brain and I need to get myself together and do something rather than feel sorry for myself. Sounds like you have good support. Thanks again for your suggestions.
Well ; it’s always good to learn about new things. We never know what it is that might do the trick for us. So a sense of adventure is needed. There’s so much on Red Light Therapy waiting for you to discover: It might be just what you need.
Rosemary oil is excellent for peripheral neuropathy. If it’s your friend then again, there are many others that can help you. In time, for example, you will learn how Thyme can increase blood flow, or how Ginger can also boost circulation and ease aching muscles. There are several others i use (by DoTerra).
I do have good support, but none that really know what I’m going through. Every breakthrough I made on my own, really, with or without the support of others. Nevertheless they can all see that I am empowered and happy when I embark on a new discovery, like when I discovered Asea molecule signaling compound, that increases the efficiency of the electron transport chain. Gobbledygook, but it means better cell-to-cell communication.
Modern light bulbs may be saving the planet, (or not), but they are ruining our health. I’ve got some St John Wort outside my front door, but last time I used it was way before my stroke. Unfortunately, it does interact with drugs.
Anyway, I wish you happy research, and hope I have stimulated your imagination a little.
ciao, Roland
I can’t help on the medication front @Trishk but just wanted to offer my sympathy. I have had in the past restless legs but only mildly & pretty short lived & always eased by getting into bed. I can only imagine how frustrating having it all the time must be.
I hope you find something that helps & doesn’t make your symptoms worse. Have you tried non medication routes for the depression? E.g. talking therapies? Maybe a referral to a neuro psychologist might help?
What about trying the Stroke Association Here for you service where you can talk to someone who has been through similar to you? Not for everyone but might be worth a try?
Thanks for your comments and support Ann. I’m just realising how negative I’ve been about getting support etc. The woman from Stroke Assn who initially phoned me hadn’t had a stroke and could only phone every few months, so I don’t want to contact Stroke Assn again for
support, even though I know someone else may
be the right person for me. Such negativity is the nature of depression. Now that I have accepted what’s going on, I will try non medication ways and start exercising.
