Psychiatrists or other practitioners who don’t understand this condition can make it worse by emotionally traumatizing you, insulting you or dismissing you as a hypochondriac. I believe the lack of empathy associated with this symptoms, which is almost like “restless legs syndrome” but worse, is why a lot of people check out in the wee hours of the night when the symptoms escalate. As a rule, this feeling of insects crawling under your skin gets worse at midnight and lingers until morning, but this is not a hard fast rule.
What is it?
Essentially, it is a feeling of agitation in your body, under your skin. It’s a feeling of internal restlessness as if your limbs are vibrating… or perhaps bugs are crawling all over you. The ‘motor restlessness causes you to want to run or jump out of your skin, and if you keep moving it gets better. When you sit still or try to sleep, it gets worse. Forget about sleeping, this problem will cause severe sleep deprivation for weeks, if you get even ONE hour at night you’ll think yourself lucky.
While it hasn’t happened to me, I’ve studied akathisias for a long time. My interest first peaked when I saw patients in my nursing homes attempting to describe the symptoms with tears in their eyes. Back then it was induced by the psychotropic medications or drugs used for Alzheimer’s, and sometimes drugs used for sleep. Back then it was just a word to me, and a symptom that could be managed with new medications that didn’t affect the same receptors. While helpful, back then I was not aware of a cure.
Today, I am confident that some of the treatment options below could be the “cure.” I want to say that with caution because you will need your physician to advise you on this, and to prescribe the medications that are right for you. (I have no idea what’s right for all of you, there are hundreds of thousands of you reading this all over the world, I couldn’t possibly know what will work for all of you, so I’m listing options down below).
I want so much to help you with this, because there is just not enough information out there and I might have some ways to hack this, stay tuned. Although I haven’t experienced it, I’ve seen it up close because a few people I know had their unfair share of this nightmare.
It can be beyond comprehension at times. People with Parkinson’s disease almost always develop akathisias but it can happen to anyone, especially if you take medications known to cause it. People with RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome) have some idea of this condition but it’s not the same as akathisias because the akathasias will occur during daytime hours and are not limited to the legs like RLS.
While subjective, most sufferers will say their muscles feel like they are quivering, but you can’t see that. That makes it easy for an onlooker to be insensitive, and dismiss you or call you a hypochondriac. Please, if you are reading this and know someone with akathisias, this is no joke. In my humble opinion, this condition is one of the most horrific symptoms to befall a person, and today’s article is my attempt to help you, and improve or even save your life. Seriously, some people with this condition choose to end it, and I’m speaking to you today.
Akathisias have been described to me as “hell on Earth” and people frequently end their life to get out of this uncomfortable situation called “akathisias.” I’m not being dramatic. The British Journal of Psychiatry reported akathasias as a probable contributing factor to suicide in patients with schizophrenia and other conditions back in 2006. You start to think you are cursed. Depending how bad it is, people report some anxiety (well, naturally!) as well as an inability to relax, the need to pace or rock, or shift from foot to foot (if standing).
Akathisia is derived from the Greek language and means “not to sit.” There are many causes and knowing them might ultimately be your cure because for example, if your akathisias are related to a medication you take, then you can talk to your doctor about tapering or switching therapies. One of the most common drug categories to induce akathisias are the “neuroleptics” which are medications for psychosis, schizophrenia or other mental-health related conditions. This category of medications are known chemically as dopamine antagonists, and simply put they block your dopamine receptos. These drugs basically reduce dopamine intracellularly. When your body starves due to lower intracellular dopamine, a number of uncomfortable (okay, horrible!) symptoms result including akathisias.
Some people experience akathisias as a result of their antidepressant or nausea medicine. Medications such as metoclopramide (Reglan), prochlorperazine (Compazine), and promethazine fall into that last category of nausea medicine. We see a lot of akathisias during drug withdrawal from various medications including opioids (hydrocodone, morphine, oxycodone, etc.), barbiturati (phenobarbital), cocaine, benzodiazepine (alprazolam, clonazepam, lorazepam, diazepam, et) and alcohol. Withdrawal from these medications and others that affect your dopamine stores, can be a big cause for akathisias.
Those of you who have the courage to withdraw from alcohol will experience akathisias, but this does go away as your brain and receptors start to heal. It could be just a few days, or a few months I don’t know, but it does go away, hang on. I want you to know there is an end to this discomfort so you don’t do anything hasty. Keep your faith, it will go one day go away. People going through opiate withdrawal from
barbiturates or another huge class of drugs called the “Opiate analgesics” like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, dilaudid, codeine or heroin. If you fall into this category, you too can expect relief one day. The akathisias are not permanent. They occur due to the sudden reduction in dopamine. They will be worse between the hours of midnight and 5 am.
Here’s some ideas that might help. The medications that I’ve listed are not right for each and every one of you. In fact, a medication may work well for some of you, and do nothing (or cause more side effects for others). Keep in mind that my readership is into the millions, so I want to list as many options as I can think of so you have options to research and talk to your physician.
As a general rule, the treatment strategies for akathisias include anticholinergic medications, dopamine agonists, drugs that are “GABA-ergic” in nature, beta-blockers, benzodiazepines, and serotonin antagonists. Now, here are some ways to help you hack akathisias:
Medication Treatment
Clozapine- this prescription pill is in the category of “Antipsychotic” medications and among other activities in the body, this drug seems to help Parkinson-induced akathisias for some people. The dosage used in studies was about 25 mg taken once at night. With medication, I always recommend you start low and titrate up because some of you might do okay on half of this dosage, whereas others might need 50mg or even more.
Clonidine 0.1mg tablet- This is the generic of Catapres, and it’s sold by prescription only. Clonidine comes as a patch but I don’t recommend that for people with akathisias because you cannot gauge your dose very well. With a pill, you can break it in half or quarters, or you can take more than one pill as you titrate your dosage up. Some people respond favorably to this medication, especially if you are experiencing akathisias due to alcohol or opiate withdrawal. It can make your limbs feel so heavy that you can barely use them. There was a small study back in 1984 in Psychiatry Researchthat evaluated clonidine in 6 patients all 6 of them showed substantial improvement. Four of the 6 people went into “complete remission” and incidentally 2 of the patients showed improvement in their manic or psychotic symptoms during treatment with clonidine.
Diphenhydramine- This is the generic to Benadryl which is sold over-the-counter. The dosages vary and even low dosages can help through the “anticholinergic” effects of this medicine. It has a strong drying effect on your body, and can make you feel a bit woozy so I’d recommend this be taken at night. Certainly, do not take it during the day until you are well adjusted to it because it can make it very dangerous for you to drive. I’m a big believer in low dosages to start, so with your doctor’s permission you can always buy the pediatric liquid and take low dosages and build up, teaspoon by teaspoon until you can tolerate the capsules which come as 25 mg per capsules.
Pregabalin or Lyrica- This prescription drug is often used for opiate or alcohol withdrawal with good effect. Problem is that some people report an increased sensation or new-onset akathisias. Keep your dose very low and note if this problem occurs for you. There is an article about this very topic (pregabalin-induced akathisias) published in The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2013.
The strange and interesting thing is that this medication HELPS akathisias in many people so I want to list it here. It does not impact GABA receptors, so many of you coming off alcohol or benzodiazepines may find this medication helpful in countering the withdrawal effects of those two drugs. Never start at a high dose, titrate upward even if you have to dump half of the capsule (or more) out to begin with, and then keep working the dose up as tolerated. Keep a diary of your symptoms, sleep quality and akathisias.
Herbs and Vitamins
Vitamin B6- Back in 2004, there was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. This study was conducted in 2 mental health centers and the participants had drug-induced akathisias from taking antipsychotic medications. These patients were really ill. The doctors supervised them and randomly divided the group to receive either placebo (inactive) or very high dosages of vitamin B6 (300 mg twice daily) which I would NEVER recommend to a regular person because that is a very high dose. The study demonstrated that B6 could be useful for akathisias. B6 helps create more dopamine in the catecholamine pathway. It converts L-dopa directly into dopamine. Keep in mind, conditions of low dopamine (opiate withdrawal, Parkinson’s and D2 antagonist “neuroleptic” antipsychotics) all lead to akathasias.
I think trying 25 to 100mg of B6 might be okay as this is sold over-the-counter in pharmacies nationwide. As an alternative, 20mg P5P is an option since that is the biologically active form of B6, and it’s sold online. I am not advising you, just offering some ideas for you to talk to your physician.
Nevertheless, many patients who suffer from acute akathisia fail to respond to treatment. In earlier studies, vitamin B6 was found to be effective in the treatment of neuroleptic-induced movement disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin B6 in the treatment of acute NIA. This is the first report of B6 as a treatment for NIA.
Lemon balm- This can be helpful in alcohol or opiate withdrawal cases, it relaxes the body and can help with sleep, it is considered GABA-ergic meaning it raises GABA levels naturally. Here’s a link to Amazon for the liquid extract of Lemon Balm that I have at home for sleepless nights, but of course you can take any brand you like.
Kava- This is reportedly helpful for some people but I don’t have experience with it, and I’m not sure of the dose. Still, I want you to have it named for consideration. Kava is related to the black pepper plant, and it is well-documented to have a calming effect so it may relieve anxiety, restlessness, sleeplessness, and stress. The concern I have after studying this one is that if you withdraw from kava too fast, you may actually develop akathisias!
Just Make it Stop for a Minute!
While not the most scientific methods here, I feel like you should have some palliative options in case you are reading this and afraid of nightfall. You can buy some of these things today and get relief right away, if only for a minute!
Eat something. It’s strange but it works. If you get up in the middle of the night and go eat something, the akathisias will often retreat.
Massage Blanket by Brookstone-
My favorite recommendation for you. It’s a blanket but I’m suggesting it for your legs and it vibrates and this distracts the sensation for hours. Plug it in, lay it on the your bed lower down so that when you rest, your legs are on top of it. This is top of the list because I think it could have the most dramatic effect for you.
This squeezing sensation can feel great. The unit I recommend here may be relatively expensive compared to other options, but for some of you, it is the only thing that will work. This particular unit will do your thighs, but if it’s just your calves that are the problem, consider a smaller unit that doesn’t go up as high.
Pressure– If someone is with you, have him or her squeeze your arm or your leg, or put pressure on it. For example, put all your weight on his forearm (be careful of course) and this might bring relief for a few minutes. It’s not going to have any lasting effect but for some of you, even a minute of relief is sweet.
Shower- Taking a warm shower or bath could effect a change. Even adding Epsom (magnesium) salts to the bath could help, but experiment with that. It’s the heat of the shower that is important. The magnesium salts may or may not help. Some people have to take 4 showers between the hours of 1am and 6am to get through the night. Do what you need to do.
Massage- If someone can help you through the night, ask for a little massage on your legs or arms because this can help with the akathisias. Use as much pressure as you can.
Indian or Chinese burn. Do you remember this prank from when you were a kid? It’s done by grasping your unsuspecting friend’s forearm firmly in both hands, and then twisting your hands in opposing directions. If you do this gently, without hurting the person, it could bring relief for a minute. The key is to very gently twist the forearm muscle (or calfs) in opposite directions, you’re not actually trying to hurt the person!
Percussion or vibrating devices- These are sold online at Amazon or Brookstone and other retailers and having one of these to apply to your forearms or legs can be extremely helpful. They work instantly to soothe your muscles and help you get to sleep. There are so many of these, each uniquely different from one another. Ideally, you have one of these stores in your local mall so you can go try them before buying them, but if not, research some of the following:
This one is hard to use by yourself because it is very strong and kind of heavy. It’s better to have this for use when someone can run it on your legs and arms. It is a pretty awesome unit and I know that for sure because we have one of these. My husband’s keen ‘chiropractic’ eye spotted it one day on Amazon and he bought it for me to use it on my back which gets sore from sitting around a lot and writing. I tend to find myself hunched over the computer a lot, and so he’ll run this on my back for 3 minutes and it is pure heaven. For someone with akathisias it can take an awful night and turn it into comfort. I highly recommend this unit, even if it’s just to use from a long hike or sore ‘yoga’ legs.
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