Search found 222 matches

by sleepdancer2
Sun Jul 08, 2018 7:06 am
Forum: Physical Treatments
Topic: Latest on TENS Unit Use for Nighttime Symptoms
Replies: 52
Views: 26983

Re: Latest on TENS Unit Use for Nighttime Symptoms

Before I knew my diagnosis, I just knew my sleep was incredibly fragmented, that I changed positions constantly, and my bed covers looked like there had been a wrestling match in it overnight. After I was diagnosed I became more aware, realizing that when I woke "changing positions" I was ...
by sleepdancer2
Sat Jun 30, 2018 10:45 am
Forum: Physical Treatments
Topic: Latest on TENS Unit Use for Nighttime Symptoms
Replies: 52
Views: 26983

Update on TENS Unit Use for Nighttime Symptoms

Looks like those neurons aren't totally gone yet. In late December life took a turn when family members were in a bad auto accident and I was staying out of state for 3 months to help during the early stages of their recovery. The stress of the situation was high - it was my job to be the strong one...
by sleepdancer2
Wed Jun 27, 2018 10:58 am
Forum: Augmentation
Topic: Brain chemistry or pathways and dopamine agonists
Replies: 5
Views: 4984

Re: Brain chemistry or pathways and dopamine agonists

I looked around a bit on the PubMed site to see if I could find any related studies. Admittedly didn't spend a lot of time, but the only related topics I could find were about DAWS (Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome) and one mentioned that a small percentage of people have a continued need for th...
by sleepdancer2
Sat Jun 16, 2018 9:02 am
Forum: Just Joined?
Topic: Hello from Kentucky
Replies: 8
Views: 1616

Re: Hello from Kentucky

I hear Seattle is a beautiful place. I'm in southern California. About the TENS, most pharmacies sell them and I've seen some gadgets where the pads snap on I think. Maybe not the most economical version, but may be worth it for a trial and a trip. It seemed to me the effect is accumulative, so gett...
by sleepdancer2
Thu Jun 14, 2018 8:43 am
Forum: Just Joined?
Topic: Hello from Kentucky
Replies: 8
Views: 1616

Re: Hello from Kentucky

I put the electrodes on my lower back (buttocks) as prescribed for low back pain. The sensations seem to interrupt some of the signals as they pass through that area. I've don't have a lot of experience with putting the electrodes on the affected areas, but putting the patches on my legs and feet pu...
by sleepdancer2
Sat Jun 09, 2018 9:23 am
Forum: Just Joined?
Topic: Hello from Kentucky
Replies: 8
Views: 1616

Re: Hello from Kentucky

You might want to give using a TENS Unit a try. Some don't find it helpful. I do. Enough that I've been able to be off meds for about 7 years now. If you decide to try it, I would suggest getting just a cheap one to try it out as it will do as much as the high end ones with all the bells and whistle...
by sleepdancer2
Wed May 30, 2018 9:53 am
Forum: Just Joined?
Topic: Introducing myself
Replies: 35
Views: 6084

Re: Introducing myself

I am not knowledgeable enough about the specifics of weaning to have a meaningful opinion about your doctor's prescribed schedule. I do have firsthand knowledge with stopping abruptly and it causing neurological issues that turned out to be permanent. Your doc may prefer to err on the side of cautio...
by sleepdancer2
Sun Apr 15, 2018 5:33 am
Forum: Non-prescription Medicines, Supplements, Diet
Topic: Light Bulb Moment Regarding Advising Iron
Replies: 1
Views: 1395

Light Bulb Moment Regarding Advising Iron

A discussion today caused me to rethink my ever-ready advice to check one's ferritin level and take iron to get it up. Not once did it cross my mind to include a disclaimer. A 60 yo acquaintance with MSA, or Multiple Systems Atrophy, was just diagnosed with Thalassemia. It is a hereditary blood diso...
by sleepdancer2
Mon Apr 09, 2018 6:46 am
Forum: Just Joined?
Topic: Just joined
Replies: 18
Views: 3566

Re: Just joined

Hi. Glad you found your way here. Some of the people here are so very informed on the options for treatment and generous in sharing. Agreeing with all those expressing concern over your dosage of medication. When people are on a low dose, stopping may not be a problem. But at your dose, I'd recommen...
by sleepdancer2
Mon Mar 12, 2018 4:28 am
Forum: General Topics: RLS
Topic: Medication Side Effect Statistics
Replies: 11
Views: 2335

Re: Medication Side Effect Statistics

I've always been fearful of strong meds so have tried to avoid opioids. Shoot, I took one dose of a muscle relaxer and the feeling it gave me scared me so I didn't take any more. However, the hellish years I spent augmenting on dopamine meds with none of my doctors figuring it out, and the torture o...
by sleepdancer2
Fri Mar 09, 2018 5:42 am
Forum: Just Joined?
Topic: Toddler with possible RLS
Replies: 11
Views: 2564

Re: Toddler with possible RLS

I am so sorry to hear your child is going through this - that's got to be so hard on you. I would encourage you to seek more than one perspective on managing your child's symptoms. There is an advantage to having a pediatric specialist such as a neurologist, also an advantage to having a sleep speci...
by sleepdancer2
Sun Jan 21, 2018 5:40 am
Forum: Just Joined?
Topic: Not sure if this is RLS or not
Replies: 19
Views: 3930

Re: Not sure if this is RLS or not

My first thought is to wonder if you are on any meds that this could be a side effect of. And if you've had any blood tests to see if you have any deficiencies in anything pertinent to muscle and/or nerve function.
by sleepdancer2
Mon Dec 04, 2017 8:20 pm
Forum: Physical Treatments
Topic: Latest on TENS Unit Use for Nighttime Symptoms
Replies: 52
Views: 26983

Re: Latest on TENS Unit Use for Nighttime Symptoms

My first TENS Unit prescribed by the doctor for low back pain was an Empi brand. Next one was a freebie from an online "friend" on a CPAP forum. Don't remember the brand. Current one is a Tens 7000 that I spotted on Craigslist for 10 bucks. I have seen no difference in their effectiveness ...
by sleepdancer2
Thu Nov 30, 2017 2:11 pm
Forum: Physical Treatments
Topic: Latest on TENS Unit Use for Nighttime Symptoms
Replies: 52
Views: 26983

Re: Latest on TENS Unit Use for Nighttime Symptoms

Badnights, your comments are interesting. Always been fascinated by this neuro stuff. I hope you're right about having rewired myself. It's certainly not been a quick fix. I remember when my mom had a stroke years ago, the doctors wanted to cut her therapy off because there's usually not many gains ...
by sleepdancer2
Tue Nov 28, 2017 5:54 pm
Forum: Everything Else...just no RLS!
Topic: Is it Only Me ?
Replies: 33
Views: 25487

Re: Is it Only Me ?

Your sensitivity to the suggested changes is understandable to me. I find myself pretty emotional at little things that may not have been such a big deal if there weren't already underlying concerns about how things have been going in the relationship. I'd like to tell you to just be open and say ex...