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← Return to RLS and the Nidra bands
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I checked and there are no doctors in NM. The closest is 352 miles away in Mesa AZ. Since my hip replacement and only having it in one leg now, it’s not so bad, not like it used to be. I also walk over a mile with my dog each day using my All terrain Trionic Veloped Rollator. I have spinal issues that affect that right leg and may be part of the RLS although to be fair, I had RLS before I ever developed the spinal issues. I think that the walking during the day helps. I tend to get at least 6000 steps in most days. Not that I’m actively trying, I just try to stay active as it takes my mind off my aging body aches and pains. The brain can only focus on one thing at a time so I try to give it lots of hobbies and activities to distract it. That includes sewing, knitting and quilting so not all of my activities are highly active, but active enough.
I’ve also been a poor sleeper most of my life and it’s become much worse in my 70s. My doc tried gabapentin and I didn’t like the gaba “hangover” the next day for me, even with a small dosage of 200 mg. Now I’m trying trazadone at 25 mg although I can go up to 100 mg. I’ve found a sweet spot of 37.5 mg, lol. I have to cut the 50 mg in half (that’s the smallest it comes in) and then cut a half in half, to get there. I’m mostly getting close to or over 6 hours sleep now but it is in two segments. I’m happy though because before it was 4 hours or less with 2-3 interruptions each night.
Although my compression sleeve doesn’t take it away when I get RLS at night, it does help. I put it on and stand at a setup I made for my ipad and usually move around while I do the NYTimes puzzles, online jigsaw puzzles, do online solitaire games and listen to the Calm music app at the same time. With the trazadone, altough I take it an hour before I go to bed, I get sleepy again within 45 mins and I’ve had enough relief of the RLS during that time that I can go back to bed and to sleep.
I’ll keep my eyes open though for a doc in NM. I would drive to Albuquerque which is 50 miles away. NM only has a statewide population of 2 million so we’re lucky to find a regular doctor, much less a specialist. My husband and I are thinking of moving if we’re lucky to make it into our 80s where we hope, healthcare will be more accessible. I don’t know though…my brother lives in Oceanside CA and even he has problems getting good medical care in SoCal and he’s close to San Diego. More doctors but also more population clamoring for them.
I am so glad however, that you have tried this and had success. Severe RLS is no joke. Even moderate RLS is no joke. I’m happy that there are companies trying to find solutions for all us sufferers.
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@kildaren96 I feel like I know you, Nanci, you write so vividly about your struggles. A hip replacement is a huge deal. Recovery from that takes time. And, I think you are so smart to fill your life with (pleasant) distractions. I can identify. I first read about Nidra in the medical literature and found an email and contacted Noctrix Company. The reason it's not available everywhere--yet--is because they have to establish support people in the state. So, I bet New Mexico is coming. I live in KY but see a RLS doctor by going to Ohio. Ohio had Nidra available before KY--so I questioned if I could go there to be "activated." The answer was "no" for a YEAR, but last April the company allowed me to have mine delivered to a friend who lives in Northern Ohio. On the way home, I stopped in Columbus and had the "activation" in my motel room. (Activation is only adjusting the settings and making sure you can put it on correctly--takes an hour.) Because I had reached out to the company--exchanged emails with a nurse--I received an email saying now I could go to Ohio to get the device last April. I suggest you contact Noctrix so you will know (immediately) when Nidra is available in NM. Yes, you can just check their website, but getting email notification could be more timely. Also, tell them that Albuquerque would be the best place for a RSL doctor to be located : ) It doesn't hurt to have them realize there are potential customers in NM. I was very impressed by the fact that they emailed me to say "you can have one now." I think they are extremely cognizant to the hardship RLS places on us. I understand that you are managing your RLS now--you aren't in crisis. But, when you are able to get a Nidra, you should. Your compression stockings are a good stop-gap. My RLS presents as pain--in my thighs, not calves. I have a sack of rice in the bed and sometimes lying with my thigh against the rice-sack (a hardness) would allow me to go back to sleep. Similar to your stockings. Last February my goal was to manage my RLS--live with it/cope with it---I never imagined I could have nights without any symptoms. Nidra has done this for me. (Last 5 nights in a row--no RLS symptoms, at all). Oh, and with the Noctrix company--it's not just the device. You need to exchange these pads on it weekly. (Sticky stuff--to conduct--like on an EKG or a TEDs, sort of). These are UPSed to me every four weeks (paid for by Medicare). The Noctrix Company has treated me like a valued customer and also as someone who suffers without their help. They have a network that makes sure the device is used properly and the pads are always supplied as needed. Really, I feel they are a class-act. Nidra is now available in Kentucky. I'm glad I didn't wait and went to Ohio--getting one months sooner. I was in crisis (or bordering on crisis) since the summer of 2020. I developed insomnia on top of the RLS and because of the RLS. Etc. I understand your situation isn't identical to mine. But, like me, you look for solutions. I may not be on this message board forever---but when you get a Nidra, be sure to tell others. Pass it forward. Best to you!