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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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I take 0.5MG pramipexole (prescribed) for my RLS
and it does enable me to get a good night's sleep.
Pramipexole is not a sleeping pill, but helps with
the misery of RLS.
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1 ReactionDoes it make you groggy?
No, it is not a sleeping pill. It just eases the misery of Restless Legs Syndrome.
What does your physician say about the augmentation issue with the dopamine agonists?
I was on ropirinole (Requip). After 3 great years, symptoms worsened and spread, despite changes in dose. I consulted a renowned expert who diagnosed augmentation and recommended that we stop the med. They no longer prescribe this class of meds as they claim sometimes augmentation does not go away.
Symptoms improved to pre diagnosis baseline, but still severe.
Be careful and good luck.
I take 0.5mg pramipexole (prescribed) for my RLS.
Ask your doctor about that.
Tonic has helped me too. And I did at one time find some research on it. Certainly worth a try!
We take Hyland's Restful Legs PM on Amazon.com. We read that Melatonin can cause restless legs.
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1 ReactionI have had RLS for as long as I can remember. It increased in severity after I had children. The first medication the doctors put me on was Requip which is a dopamine agonist and was originally used to treat Parkinsons. It is commonly used for RLS. After about 4 years, I started rebounding on that medication. It started making my symptoms worse and they were occurring earlier in the evening. I was afraid to go anywhere because I could not sit still. I tried Gabapentin for a while but it did not work for me. A new sleep doctor discovered I have had a recurring issue with iron deficency. Iron infusions have been a very helpful therapeutic. The last ten years I have also been on varying doses of klonopin. In addition I work with a naturopath on nutraceuticals for my adrenal gland and other hormones. They are helpful but I have never been to completely wean off meds. I also avoid all antihistamines because the sleep doctor told me they would aggravate RLS symptoms. I would rather deal with being congested than not sleep. I think everyone's journey is a little different. Find a good sleep doctor who listens and then try different meds and therapies that work for you.