RLS anyone

I have suffered from RLS for YEARS!  For some reason it seems to be getting worse.

It used to only bother me at night, just before bed.  Well, also when I fly.   Now it sometimes begins while I sit at my computer, or anywhere else.  As a matter of fact, it is driving me nuts right now!

I have tried changing my chair settings, thinking something was pressing somewhere.  I considered that it might be happening after I had sat here too long.  But now it is happening after I have only been here 10 minutes or so.  It also bothers me when I am sitting in my recliner reading or whatever.

So basically, I guess what I am saying is, it hits me anytime, under any cir****tances.  I don't want to take my RLS meds all day long!  Sometimes, going as fast as I can on my elliptical for a couple minutes will relieve it.  Sometimes flexing my calf muscles and standing on my toes helps.  I don't think it is weight loss related.  Could it be vitamin related?

I think I have tried EVERY RLS med known to man.  Requip, clonazapam, mirapex, sinemet.  I've also tried all the OTC meds for it. I always come back to sinemet, because I think it works the best and doesn't make me as drowsy.

Anyone know WHY this could be bothering me during the day now?  Anyone have any other ideas for meds to try?  I will check with my doc next time I go.  But I truly do not like going to the doc and try not to unless I have a major issue!   

Thanks for any ideas.

Oh this is such a problem, I couldn't stand if I got it during the day. Mine is intermittent, don't know why it hits when it does or doesn't. Sorry you are going through this. Good luck.

What is RLS? I am so sorry it makes your life difficult. I am assuming that it is a muscle condition? If that is the case...I sugges****er exercise or water walking in a swimming pool or warm pool. This sort of exercise stretches the muscles and soothes them. I have done this for years and I think it has helped my arthritis and well being. It raises your mood, with joining a class of exercise it helps you meet new friends  and keeps you clean!!! lol. Cheers and good health to you.

RLS = restless leg syndrome











I have suffered with this for years along with bad muscle jerks, sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, carpal tunnel, osteo arthritis, degenerative disc disease .... plus other "fun" stuff. I have some issues with the RLS still, but I take lots of meds to control things. I am worse with the fibromyalgia though now that I am skinny and have no padding.









PS: Most "ads" on tv and in magazines tend to make RLS a night syndrome but it does affect you at any time of the day! It is more prevelant when you are lying or reclining and your muscles are relaxed for some reason (according to my Rheumatologist).







As for the "muscle jerks" I have bounced up off the bed (uncontrollable reflex) even when I weighed 2x what I do now!!!



STRESS plays a huge part in my situation.

My father has suffered with RLS for years, since I was a kid, very severe. Several years ago he found out, because of another illness, that his RLS is worse when he is low in iron. This is not the cause, but just seems to make it worse. He goes days and days without sleep. But anyway...just a thought.
Hope you get to feeling better.
Cheryl

Oh how I relate also. Seems like cold weather makes it worse. The past 2 nights I've taken a long soak in the tub. (hot tub STILL not wired at new house. Can you tell I'm a bit testy about it?) My RLS is definitely worse when I'm relaxed or sitting in a vehicle. Sometimes I'll look at Mike and almost shout: "Let me out or let me drive!" I know it's worse when I'm not drinking enough fluids, not exercising enough.

I use Mirapex. I take .75 a day about 3pm. If I wait til bedtime to take it it doesn't kick in. Wish I had any ideas. If you find something that helps please share. Mirapex is so expensive, but I'll do just about anything it takes to make sure I get it. Keep hoping for a generic form. Are any of the meds you've tried generic? I haven't tried the sinemet. Wish Mirapex made me drowsy; maybe it would help me sleep better. Unfortunately it doesn't and if my legs are acting up staying in bed (as you well know) will NOT happen. Guess misery loves company; no suggestions just commiseration!

Oh, I wish I had a solution for you.  I have suffered RLS off and on for years (mostly at night, when I'm horizontal).  I will be interested to hear what your doctor says after your next visit.

Jean

Someone gave a hint below. Iron.

We'd noticed it among our long term selves.

Because this group is at least 50, I'm guessing very few docs launched you on iron right out of the gate? Yet, all surgery types need iron (and no, it doesn't have to constipate or make icky) and since you're an 07 model, you might have run out now.

The other thing to look at might be magnesium. Not labs. Labs don't tell what's available for spending, only what's in the blood. So, a mag level of "fine" says nothing. A mag level of "bad", means really, seriously, dangerously bad.

I'll post an article I excerpted. It was written by an MD. Usually MD's think vitamins, minerals and herbs are "hocus pocus" or dangerous, and only ND's "believe" in them. But particularly, magnesium. Most ND's will assume you are low in mag, because everyone is. Just like I assume everyone is low in vit D.

***

I did add some thoughts of my own in among his.

But I thought I'd excerpt this in simple to read list form so we'd know WHY it's so critical.

Article was written by Mark Hyman, MD
Putting Magnesium Back in Your Life

from Organic Connections Mar-Apr 2008

1. how do I know? Where is the clue?

* magnesium is not well measured in blood. Most will test normal, but
it only indicates what is in the blood, not what is available for the body to use

* the testing, he says, is a good medical history. Anything that
twitches, camps, spasms or is tight in any way is a sign of magnesium deficiency

2. naturally occurring in these foods:

* kelp

* wheat bran

* wheat germ

* almonds

* cashews

* buckwheat

* brazil nuts

* filberts

* millet

* pecans

* walnuts

* rye

* tofu

* soybeans

* brown rice

* figs

* dates

* collard greens

* avocados

* parsley

* beans

* barley

* dandelion greens

* garlic

we all eat some of these, but how much?

3. but how did I lose it?

* high doses of:

* coffee

* colas

* high salt

* sugar

* alcohol

* water pills (diuretics)

* some medications

4. what are some signs?

* muscle cramps or twitches or spasms

* insomnia

* irritability

* sensitivity to loud noises

* anxiety

* autism

* ADHD

* heat palpitations

* angina (spasm of arteries)

* constipation

* spasms in the muscles

* headaches

* migraine

* fibromyalgia

* chronic fatigue

* asthma

* kidney stones (cal-mag imbalance)

* high blood pressure

* irritable bladder

* irritable bowel

* acid reflux

* PMS

* depression

ALSO, obesity and diabetes are related to magnesium deficiency!

I could go on with the details of HOW it works, but I'm condensing for easy reading

5. So, can I just grab some at the drug store?

* these forms will not help with muscles:

* magnesium carbonate

* magnesium sulfate

* magnesium gluconate

* magnesium OXIDE (and my own adder to this is that this CAN help
alleviate constipation!)

These are not absorbed into the system.

6. Fine, then how DO I fix it?

* While he does not specifically say WHICH one, we know that magnesium
CITRATE does help with leg and foot spasms.

* Personally, I can check off about 50% of the symptoms list and will
now eat them like candy throughout the day.

As usual, I am not a medical person, and am only passing along to you this very simple article for your own use. MD's are more likely to use magnesium as a last resort for heart or pregnancy issues. ND's are more likely to treat this right away, going with the assumption that most people are deficient, by default.

Thanks for the info. I will have to remember to mention the magnesium citrate to my Rheumatologist when I see him in a couple weeks.

Thanks, everyone for your input.

Iron - hmmm.  Last time I gave blood they said my iron levels was good.  But is good enough for donating blood, good enough for my RLS?  I'll have to ask the doc.

Magnesium - I'll ask about that, too.  My DH takes that for his leg cramps.  But he still gets them.  He also has jerky legs! 

Yes, sometimes a warm bath helps.  Taking one at 10 AM seems weird!

I have tried Mirapex and it doesn't really do much for me.  We get most of our drugs for free, so I don't mind trying new ones, even if they don't work.  If he doesn't have samples the doc usually will write an RX for just a trial amount, then if it doesn't work, I'm not pitching too many.

Sinemet is carbidopa-levidopa.  It's used for Parkinson's.  I've used that for years!  And I always come back to it.  I have read that you can develop a resisitance to it, but it still works at night.

I will write all of this down so I don't forget it all when I go to the doc next month.  Thanks again.