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About 45 years ago (late 1970's) a doctor told me he thought I had RLS...who the heck ever heard of it back then. It only bothered me occasionally and I did nothing for it. As I moved, I would tell other doctors about it, but most really knew nothing. As I got into my 40's it was bothering more often in the evening. I could go to sleep but tossed and turned all night. By my 50's it was every night and would start around 5 - 7 pm and everything the doctor tried to give me caused an unacceptable reaction....I have reactions to most medications, so it was not a surprise. Turns out maybe that was a good thing as most of the medications for RLS can make it worse. I can take vitamins and supplements and over the years have taken or still take D, B, magnesium, Iron on and on and have been to many doctors over the years. My iron levels are good but have heard there is a possibility my brain is not reregistering the iron and thinks I'm low on iron when blood test show its fine. in my 50's I noticed that I occasionally have it in my arms, which makes for an extra special night when both legs and arms are bothering me. I have actually worn a hole in 2 different bottom sheets from moving so much. For me I discovered what helps one night does not help the next, so I do several things on different nights. Support stockings sometimes help, but occasionally just irritated me. Heat on my back helps often as it helps open you blood vessels. I've had major back surgery, so I know it's not my back. Too much exercise or too little can make it bother me...I'm now 68 and here is what works best for me... I taken tramadol for years as it helps...does not stop it but makes it bearable in the evenings. Mine starts around 5 - 7pm every sing night...anyway...after talking with my doctor I take tramadol, heat wrap and CBD gummy as legal in my state. I take the kind with 1mg or less of THC as not taking it to get high, but to help with my legs and it's been life changing. I'm not saying its 100% helped as some evenings my legs still hurt/ache, but I would say 90% of the time it works to where my legs don't bother me at all or only a little. I've tried the gummy alone and I still have issues, so I take the tramadol, heat, gummy. I've talked to many people over the years and only 1 other person had RLS worse than mine. Even growing up I have leg issues, but was always told it was growing pains...at least with the tramadol, heat and gummy my little dog will sit on my lap as I watch TV...before she would go and sit with her brother and my husband as I moved too much. That was funny in itself as she would be laying with them and staring at mommy as she wanted to be on my lap, but I just moved too much. Hope this helps someone...

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Replies to "About 45 years ago (late 1970's) a doctor told me he thought I had RLS...who the..."

Dear 3 Dogs: I don't want to monopolize this thread (after the long posting I just made), but I do want to reach out to you and sympathize. In terms of the severity of my symptoms (unfortunately) I do think I match you. But, not the surface area that causes you to suffer. I am not a complainer---I doubt you are either. RSL is a hard row to hoe. Like you, my experience varies greatly, day to day. It was so helpful for me to read that you have the same lack of consistency. Although the sleep experts warn against heat in bed (circadian rhythm changes our body temperatures over a night and my sleep neurologist tells me my electric blanket causes wakening----but it does give me comfort. In the winter, I often sleep with a heating pad that automatically turns off). Your medication (tramadol) and mine (buprenorphine) are both opiates (because opiates work and because we have good doctors, thank goodness). Like you, my iron is mostly normal on labs, but I did try iron IV and it did nothing to change my symptoms. I don't know why I don't fit what is expected of someone with RLS, but it helps me to know neither to you (exactly) My heart goes out to your woes. I tried a CBD gummy once (before I was put on effective medication) and I lay awake all night with a racing mind and RLS symptoms. For me it didn't work, but I understand why you tried this and I'm glad it works for you. Your posting has helped me understand beyond what I read and what I experience myself. I'm sending you a hug and hope you will continue to share on this forum...