Zyrtec & Restless Leg Symptoms

Over a couple of massage sessions, I had witnessed restless leg symptoms with a client. When I asked about the constant movement, the client reported that it had been bothering him for a while, and he thought it had to do with a disc problem in his back. I asked about his medications because I had the same symptoms recently.

I had taken Zyrtec on and off for years and never had a problem. I had started taking it again, and on Day 5, my legs uncontrollably jumped around. My roommate was alarmed, and I didn't know what was happening. I reviewed the side effects of Zyrtec and found that these symptoms could be a result. I immediately stopped the Zyrtec and took a hot bath. Thank goodness I was able to sleep that night! I shared this story with my client after he listed Zyrtec as one of his medications. He was intrigued and decided to have a trial stop (because it is an over-the-counter medication) to see how he would feel.

The next time I saw my client, his first words were...."It was the Zyrtec!" He didn't have any more symptoms of restless legs. "Now, the issue is to find another good allergy pill!" I shared this information with several others for them to finally discover why their legs felt so strange.

So, if you are having strange symptoms, don't always assume they are coming from a condition. Look at your medications and talk with your doctor!

*These blogs are informative only and should not be construed as a substitute for diagnosis. See a medical physician, chiropractic doctor, or other health care specialist to address concerns that are outside the massage therapist’s scope of practice.