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Restless Leg Syndrome
I started having this burning feeling in certain pressure points in my body. Mostly on the elbows, under forearms mostly on my left side ....mostly worse in the late afternoon and evening. It's usually burning and/or uncomfortable feeling when I am sitting down on couch or chair. the burning sensation like I said on pressure points of the elbows, legs, or butt when sitting even if only 2 mins or so and seems like I can't remain still.......upon getting up and moving around it relieves the sensation. Went to neurologist 4 years ago..........he confirmed that it was Restless leg syndrome............there are different types of RLS but the classic symptoms are a feeling of burning, tingling, and a general sense of unable to relax when quietly sitting or even laying down and relief comes when changing position and/or getting up. Diagnosis is by symptoms....there is not a definitive diagnostic test.........all bloodwork etc.... is normal . I now take Gabapentin, and Klonopin to calm the "restless" nerves...........there is no cure for this ( my Neurologist says )........It's just something you have to learn to live with and take those medications for it..........It is believed there is a link between low iron (which I had) and and RLS . Now I take more iron (but that does not alleivate the symptoms so far . ( even when iron level becomes normal ) . I was diagnosed with low thyroid 5 years ago and started taking the levothyroxine to put my thyroid back to normal which it IS NOW. But even though I still have the RLS........there is a possiblity that I had LOW thyroid for years before I was diagnosed with it........hence I think (my theory) the RLS evolved due to the years of LOW thyroid. This is just my thinking on this. No Dr. Told me of that.....anyways I hope maybe this helps others and they can begin to pinpoint their symptoms and get a diagnoses.
I would love to know others with RLS and how they have dealt with it over the years. It seems to be a tricky act to balance the medications with side effects and still manage the RLS........appreciate any feedback. Thanks Jim B.
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Well, everybody responds differently on any given medication. I have been using them for 4 years 600 - 900 mg/ per day with no adverse effects.
Very true - everyone does respond differently to medications. I am very glad it is working for you. Because of my experience, it just is something I would never recommend.
I can agree with you completely on this...........gabapentin works for me in 1 to 2 hours after taking a 600 mg dose and I can really feel the difference.....the RLS does not completely dissapear but there is a marked difference and tolerance for the RLS.......of course this is only short acting for a few hours........but there IS some relief.....which I am thankful for.
I have lived with RLS for many years. Everyone is different in the way and intensity that they experience their symptoms and mine varies from episode to episode as well. I have avoided medication by using different coping skills. A warm bath before bed or at a time if possible that the symptoms start. Really good stretching of the hips and lower back for 10 or fifteen minutes. Sometimes s hot water bottle on the small of the back. A deep massage of legs or arms ( if that is where it is being experienced). Sometimes a combo of exercises and then cool packs. Try as many physical options as possible. Hope you get relief as RLS is extremely disruptive to relaxation and sleep.
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1 ReactionI am getting great relief with Gabapentin. I have been on it for 3 to 4 weeks now. I feel like i have died and gone to heaven. I didn't think i would ever know what it was like to sleep through the night and go from waking up anywhere from 6 to a dozen or more times a night to waking up once or even none at all. I had several nights each week that i wasn't able to get to sleep until 4 or 5 in the morning. Getting up 4 to 6 times to stretch out my legs to try to get some releif, I tried elevating them, the heating pad, walking, a lot of days, nothing worked. I take 2- 300 mil capsules about 2 1/2 hrs before i go to bed. I am almost 60, and for the first time in my life, i feel like when i wake up in the morning, i am rested. I have never felt that before. I have suffered from restless legs, as far back as High School, never knowing what it was.
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1 ReactionI'm really glad Gaba works for you. Yes it helps me alot especially in the evening while I am watching TV or ready and sitting still. I have to ususaly take 2 , 300 mg tabs to help calm the restless nerves........doesnt completely go away but ...sure does help tolerate it ! It does help with sleep but I still have to take at least a 5 mg ambien to get me to sleep. I also alternate the Ambien with Klonopen to help me sleep . I have to carefully "balance" the intake as side effects of those meds...make one dizzy or balance problems from time to time. Each person has to learn how to regulate their doses as we all respond a bit differenty..........
I was tested for restless leg syndrome. My dr asked if I was taking antihistamines ( which I took on and off). For me-every time I took BENADRYL my legs would get 'restless' and my muscles would tighten and cramp up. By not taking it I was fine. Odd huh!! Lynn
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1 ReactionI agree Jim. We all have to take the information we are given and find what works best for us. They actually want me to take 2- 300 mili pills, 3 times per day. The ones at night for my legs and the rest of the dosage to posibly help with some deep brain seizures they think i might be having. Gabapentin was originally created to be a seizure medication.
That is odd, Lynn. I had been taking Tylenol PM to help me sleep at night, and my doctor told me that it has Benadryl in it and not to take it any more for sleep. That could have been making my RLS worse. Good to know, Thanks!
Thats interesting that it would work for you. But I highly doubt it. Is<br>there any scientific medical evidence in any journal to support this ? I<br>could try this but my problem is not "jitters". It's an actual burning<br>sensation on my pressure points from sitting in one place or pressure on my<br>elbows etc...only relieved by moving or getting up and mostly worse in the<br>evenings. It's hard to believe it would be more effective than say<br>gabapentin........but what the heck , anything is possible I suppose. It's<br>worth a try....will comment when I have done this.<br>-- <br>James G. Bourgeois<br>
I have had severe restless leg syndrome for 30 plus years. I’m taking Parkinson’s pills and gabapentin for nerve pain. Neither drug is working any more I’m at the point that I hate going to bed, it also is severe when I sit or lay on couch. Has any one tried stem cell therapy for treatment? Thanks for replies