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Restless Leg Syndrome

Sleep Health | Last Active: Apr 1, 2023 | Replies (268)

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@ssbionicknee

I was diagnosed with RLS a about 5 years ago. I was going through a severe depression and at first was diagnosed with agitated depression. I was restless all the time and my legs could not be still. My legs were in constant motion to the point that my calf muscles were very sore and I still moved. I constantly felt as if I was going to bust out of my skin. It became evident that the restlessness and the depression were not related and I went to a neurologist who diagnosed me with RLS. I am taking Pramipexole and the symptoms are better and are tolerable. I still move my feet constantly, but can keep my legs still. I wear a hole in my one shoe from wiggling my toes ( duct tape helps to prevent that) I do need to get up and walk around and I still have trouble sleeping at night. I see quite a few people who say they take Gabapentin for RLS. I tried taking it and had terrible side effects.

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Replies to "I was diagnosed with RLS a about 5 years ago. I was going through a severe..."

Hi, @ssbionicknee - I'm glad to hear the restlessness and depression were ultimately sorted out and that you finally knew you were dealing with restless legs syndrome (RLS). That is challenging to still have trouble sleeping at night 5 years after your diagnosis.

Here is some Mayo Clinic information on RLS that may be interesting for you: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/restless-legs-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20377168.

You mentioned you tried gapabentin for your RLS and had terrible side effects. I am not a medical professional, but I will say from reading members' comments on gabapentin here on Connect and from my personal experience taking it for postherpetic neuralgia, that it seems people have a wide range of experiences with that medication.

Are you taking another medication now to manage the RLS, @ssbionicknee, or are you looking for possible alternatives?