Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

Posted by krissyelkins07 @krissyelkins07, Jul 31, 2019

Has anyone suffered or is suffering from PLMD?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.

I am the only only one saying this, so be advised. Anytime you are in a situation where attention is less and you drift more toward either pre-sleep or post sleep, it will trigger the PHYSICAL leg jerks.

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@misstroy

I am new to this site, so In hope I am doing this right. My PLM started when I was in my early 40's, I am 73 now. A couple of years later RLS started and I have been on Mirapex since then. The only thing different that has helped are painkillers, I found this out when I had surgery. I could not work and stay on painkillers so I have been taking Mirapex forever and I have to be careful with it. If I take it to late at night and I be extremely sleepy the next morning. That is not a problem unless I have to drive somewhere. The odd thing about all of this is when I am a passenger in the car my RSL & PLM will start and I will have to take a mirapex, but when I am driving I don't have RLS or PLM.

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Hello @misstroy and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! It must not be easy dealing with both PLM and restless leg syndrom (RLS) for 30 or so years! But you have come to the right place to talk with people who have similar experiences. I’d like to invite @johnbishop @barbarn and @johnhans to this conversation – they may be able to offer support and shed light on both of these conditions.

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@misstroy

I am new to this site, so In hope I am doing this right. My PLM started when I was in my early 40's, I am 73 now. A couple of years later RLS started and I have been on Mirapex since then. The only thing different that has helped are painkillers, I found this out when I had surgery. I could not work and stay on painkillers so I have been taking Mirapex forever and I have to be careful with it. If I take it to late at night and I be extremely sleepy the next morning. That is not a problem unless I have to drive somewhere. The odd thing about all of this is when I am a passenger in the car my RSL & PLM will start and I will have to take a mirapex, but when I am driving I don't have RLS or PLM.

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Hi @misstroy, I would like to add my welcome to Connect along with @chloeliucw and other members. I don't have RLS or PLM but I have read that it's not uncommon for RLS symptoms to occur when sitting still or laying down which you mentioned occurs when you are a passenger in the car. There is another discussion here on Connect for RLS that you may want to join and meet other members discussing RLS: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/restless-leg-syndrome-2a74e5/

I also found a few articles that may provide some helpful information.

Medical News Today - Everything you need to know about restless legs syndrome
-- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7882
Cleveland Clinic - 5 Doctor-Approved Home Remedies for Restless Legs Syndrome
-- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-doctor-approved-home-remedies-for-restless-legs-syndrome/

@misstroy has your doctor suggested any alternative treatments or home remedies?

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Hello @sussan, Thank you for the private message. I thought I would answer your question in the Periodic Limb Movement Disorder discussion so that you can meet other members with similar symptoms and learn what they have shared. If you click the VIEW & REPLY button at the bottom of this email notification it will take you to the discussion and you can post questions and read what others have shared.

You mentioned being diagnosed with sleep apnea and PLM and have been sleeping better since using a CPAP machine. You also said you are awakened by leg movements 3-4 times at night from a deep sleep and often can not fall asleep again. Hopefully other members with the same problem can share what has helped them. The following article has some suggestions for treatment and coping with the PLM.

Medical News Today – Periodic limb movement disorder: Symptoms and treatment
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317911.php

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@johnbishop

Hello @sussan, Thank you for the private message. I thought I would answer your question in the Periodic Limb Movement Disorder discussion so that you can meet other members with similar symptoms and learn what they have shared. If you click the VIEW & REPLY button at the bottom of this email notification it will take you to the discussion and you can post questions and read what others have shared.

You mentioned being diagnosed with sleep apnea and PLM and have been sleeping better since using a CPAP machine. You also said you are awakened by leg movements 3-4 times at night from a deep sleep and often can not fall asleep again. Hopefully other members with the same problem can share what has helped them. The following article has some suggestions for treatment and coping with the PLM.

Medical News Today – Periodic limb movement disorder: Symptoms and treatment
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317911.php

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Thank you kindly for the response.

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Yes, I have PLM, awaken 3-4 X at night. After waking up for 2nd or 3d time, can not fall asleep. I take 2.5 - 5 mg Ambien which helps me fall asleep. At first, I was waking up 7-8 times at night. I keep record of my sleep pattern and medication/supplements taken, including dosage to see trends, log the information briefly, in the morning. I could reduce awakenings to 3-4 X. I'm hoping to find the way to decrease awakenings to 1-2 X. I hope to benefit from individuals who have PLM, to know how they approach this problem.

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@bill54321

This is reply # 2 A cat has a twitch....myoclonic jerlk has an anatomy In the motor cortex, 1 single motor nerve and it's branches fire(4S area). I believe that NO ONE has discribed this. Let me, as a Physical Therapist of 40 yrs active practice enlighten you.and any neurologist listening. Read "Bobath Cerebral Palsy" The book, 1953" discribes spinal reflexes and how to inhibit them.For example, The head position on a "tonic Neck Reflex" when rotated right cause the arm on the right to extend and the one on the left to flex. The reverse is true if the head is turned left. If the head is mid-line and flexed both arms flex. If the mid-line head extends, both arms extend. A similar thing happens in the "Cross Extensor Reflex to the legs and also to the feet. Nerves cross over to the othe rside (dissication of the cord)in the neck As the motor nerve descends, it crosses synapes chemically at various levels. These synapses are also intervened by sensory nerves crossing across at various levels from a connection across the spinal cord. So your 4S single motor units from the motor cortex may (Recruit) other reflexes and become a sysnergist action by the time it reaches the feet. Why does it affect the feet???Is it because the feet are further away, This would suggest a vascular component. Also a endoconogy asdpect. You can sleep better idf you rub tour lower kegs with Magnesium Jell..(Note citric not nitric(Magnesium citric is next to the alcohol section at Smith and is 99c a bottle. Don't get hooked on the expensive stuff. So, they say Myoconus is caused by nerve damage, tumor, or reaction to drugs and a few others. Let us take a look. The endocrine system has not fully been explained. A lack of a certain enzyme in the hypothalmus may be contributong to all of these movement disorders. Who at Mayo has been talkingi about them.? Calcium is common but if too much paralzes you, like it did me. Stopped those calcium shot for Osteopenia in a hurry. But also, lack of calcium can lead to harmone problems causing restless leg motions,etc. Now It should be noted that the brain vacular system has a barrier different from general transfer of osmatic chemicals across membranes. If the brain get too much pf a chemical and is overloaded in that respect, it affect motor movements and parkinsons. What does Mayo clinic say about this. Do we lay people have to do all the researching. All I hear is "Parrot" Well., the book says this crap. Area I need answers on. 1)Brain Barrtier and chemicals involved causing exascerbation of movement disorders, 2) Endroconlogist answer To thyroid, Thymus and organ related chemical that effect the brain barrier and brain related motion problem of parkinsins, ataxia, mid-brain etc, 3) better understanding of imagery locally or at mayo you ascertain pressure from ? or tumors in the cord and brain 4) I have had neck and back surgery, have stenosis, need a walker to go past 10 feet. How would you diagnose nerve damage contributing to movement disorders. 5). I have C 6,7 numbness pattern that is shutting my ability to use my right arm down. I regained motor movement, but the problem is numb shoulders, musclutaneuos and thumb pattern that is turn more into pain, Can't do surgery, so what???
I do hope some one from Mayo is looking at this. I Live in Taos New Mexico. What does Arizona, Mayo have to offer???......
i

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My PT in Tucson, Terry Guido, might be a good resource, I have MCTD, and she has worked out most of the quirks with that. She is a manual PT, Rocobado trained. I find edema massage, toes to torso, moist heat and a daily walk help in addition to stretches. CBD/THC helps somewhat.

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@marye2

My PT in Tucson, Terry Guido, might be a good resource, I have MCTD, and she has worked out most of the quirks with that. She is a manual PT, Rocobado trained. I find edema massage, toes to torso, moist heat and a daily walk help in addition to stretches. CBD/THC helps somewhat.

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Hello, thanks for your advice. If I may ask, what is MCTD? And, what CBD/THC mean?

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@sussan

Hello, thanks for your advice. If I may ask, what is MCTD? And, what CBD/THC mean?

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Marijuana is CBD/THC 2:1 - I like the tinctures that I use under my tongue. MCTD (Mixed Connective Tissue Disease) is part of the overlapping conditions of Lupus. It used to be fairly rare; it is genetic, triggered by environment.
mctdfoundation.org

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Yes I believe I do. It's like restless leg syndrome but it radiates pretty much all through my body. I thought I was crazy.

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