Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

I think I'm seeing an interesting trend. Didn't want to speak too soon, as I know this PLMD stuff ebbs and flows in intensity, but in all these years, it has never not been an issue. After about 7 years being off meds for my legs and using a TENS only for treatment that has given acceptable relief, ...

I spent a few years on Sinemet as the first line of treatment for PLMD back in 1998. I augmented but the doctors didn't recognize it for so long. I did learn a lot about how to work with the med for more predictable results. Unfortunately it's been so long ago I've forgotten much of it, but I'll sha...

I think videoing yourself will be worth the effort so you can know what you're working with. My home video was so revealing that just for fun I posted it on YouTube. Question about the sleep study - were you wearing your CPAP machine during the study when the doc didn't think your numbers were enoug...

Oh my - so much you're dealing with, so much of it I can relate to. I remember being unable to work and waiting in line at charity food pantries and just being grateful to have something - anything - to eat. About the supplements your former doctor recommended, is there any chance magnesium and vita...

As an American, it seems to me our views are widely varied and many of our views regarding the role of government fall along a spectrum. I personally came from a background strong on self reliance and responsibilty, but with a heart for sacrificing to help those less fortunate. I really don't think ...

I am not a medical professional, just a patient who has used this med. I tend to err on the side of caution after a bad experience with ongoing neurological effects after stopping Mirapex cold turkey. BUT - it was after being at a high dose for a lot of years. My advice is nearly always to wean off ...

I do hope your doctor stepped you down to a low dose before taking you off the med. At any rate, it's refreshing to hear of your doctor being open to learning. I may be an outlier, but once the augmentation and withdrawal period was over, I've been able to control my legs with a TENS Unit. Good luck...

To rvjimzhr1 "... my home sleep test taken before I left town, I got a call from my Neuro who was able to diagnose 'mild obstructive sleep apnea'. He recommended either "Nasal Valves" or a 'mandibular advancement device' either of which will open my airway and most likely allow me to ...

I understand your reluctance on some of the meds. Many here have also had some negative experiences. I took gabapentin for a few months but I was unwilling to tolerate the side effects at a higher dose that might be more effective. How one experiences side effects is so individual - some report bein...

Agree with the suggestions above. Sometimes a little bit of help from each of multiple sources can have enough of a compiled effect to give some relief. I take a few supplements (after testing by my doctor), including a calcium/magnesium/zinc combo with vitamin D as well as iron. Because I made so m...

With the meds for limb movements, it became important for me to ask if the med was intended to help me sleep through the movements or lessen the movements. Continuity of sleep is one issue. Allowing the leg muscles to have time of quiet for tissues to rest and restore is another. Even when a med all...

Often those with periodic limb movements during sleep are unaware of their presence until reported by an observer or bed partner. Instead the sufferer just knows their sleep feels restless, or their bed is messy, or they think they just change positions a lot. When a movement does wake us, it is oft...

About those jerks - have you timed them to see if there's any pattern to the jerks? When I was having augmentation my movements encroached on my semi-awake time. If the movements are patterned (like maybe every 20 seconds or so) that would make me think are periodic limb movements.

Even if you do start taking iron OTC, please do still request a ferritin level and come up with some sort of doctor advised plan or schedule for followup. Too much iron is not a good thing either. I know this has already been said so I'm just co-signing to please not accept news that your ferritin l...

Sorry to take so long to respond to this. First of all, I agree with having another neurologist hear your symptoms in case something is being missed. Fresh eyes never hurt. Since your heaviness in the legs is progressive over the long term, your description reminds me of a period of time in my RLS/P...