Search found 103 matches

by pamhb
Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:50 pm
Forum: Physical Treatments
Topic: My "bag of tricks"
Replies: 15
Views: 6056

I find that singing works really well for me, particularly if I can sing before the symptoms kick in. Otherwise I sing while I'm waiting for the meds to take hold. Sounds slightly bizarre, I know -- but singing has been shown to stimulate all kinds of chemical activity in the brain. I began to notic...
by pamhb
Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:42 pm
Forum: Help for Relationships
Topic: Plane Travel
Replies: 14
Views: 9034

I shall consult with my doctor as how much of my clonazapam I can take before passing out I've always been of the view that managing RLS is like managing pain -- you have stay ahead of the symptoms or you're hooped. However, for flying I've never done anything much more than taken my medications ear...
by pamhb
Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:49 pm
Forum: Help for Relationships
Topic: Plane Travel
Replies: 14
Views: 9034

I helped my daughter move to Manchester England, and we'd like to go back. What is more worrisome is that my boss keeps threatening to send me to Japan. I might kill the pilot before we get there! Some great suggestions. I've never tried compression stockings, because I can hardly stand even pantyho...
by pamhb
Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:29 pm
Forum: Help for Relationships
Topic: Chairs to Sit on in the Evening
Replies: 20
Views: 15466

Chairs to Sit on in the Evening

Years ago (when this forum was actually an email list), we got into a discussion as to how chairs that tip you back slightly so that your hips are lower than your knees, will trigger RLS. I've found that to be very true over the years, especially in the evening. Now, however, it's reached the point ...
by pamhb
Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:24 pm
Forum: Help for Relationships
Topic: Plane Travel
Replies: 14
Views: 9034

Plane Travel

I'm not sure if this question belongs in this forum -- how do others cope with extended plane travel (such as overseas). My meds simply don't seem to work on a long plane trip (Mirapex and Clonazapam). I resort to the usual tricks (sitting on the edge of my seat, doing puzzles, jiggling my legs like...
by pamhb
Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:13 pm
Forum: Prescription Medications
Topic: Side effects: Add Yours to Create a Complete List
Replies: 93
Views: 44158

Sinemet -- the first time I was on Sinemet, I had no real side effects until I began to experience rebound. It also did not last me through the night. The second time I tried it, about 5 years later, I would wake up dizzy, disoriented, and panicky. Not a good thing. Pergolide (now off the market) --...
by pamhb
Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:00 pm
Forum: General Topics: RLS
Topic: Sleeping with your partner
Replies: 18
Views: 2436

!

I did some internet research, and it looks like the Simmons "Do not disturb" series is the name given to the hotel version of their Beautyrest series. I've always been curious as to whether the ads where they drop a bowling ball on the mattress -- is the bed really that good? Perhaps hubby and I can...
by pamhb
Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:28 am
Forum: General Topics: RLS
Topic: Sleeping with your partner
Replies: 18
Views: 2436

Hi Pam and welcome to the board. Lynne Thanks, Lynne -- but oddly enough, I'm from the original gang that was around in the early days of the Foundation. In those days, we received all our discussion by email (which would fill up my email box fairly quickly!) I remember late night chats when my leg...
by pamhb
Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:00 am
Forum: Prescription Medications
Topic: Mirapex versus requip
Replies: 7
Views: 2592

My doctor advised me that we all have 4 dopamine receptors -- Mirapex stimulates 2 of the receptors, and Requip stimulates only one. So I guess you'd expect Mirapex to be more effective than Requip. It probably depends on the individual.
by pamhb
Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:14 pm
Forum: Prescription Medications
Topic: I am new here, questions about Sinemet
Replies: 7
Views: 1063

On the other hand, if the meds aren't working all that well for you, you shouldn't be afraid to try something else. You can always go back to the Sinemet. I build up tolerances to my meds and have now had to move to new meds 3 times. The transition from one dopamine agonist to the other can be kind ...
by pamhb
Sat Feb 09, 2008 3:53 pm
Forum: General Topics: RLS
Topic: Sleeping with your partner
Replies: 18
Views: 2436

Sleeping with your partner

My spouse complains about my night movement and usually ends up sleeping somewhere else if I don't beat him to it. I'm thinking about getting a king-size bed, and am interested in the ones that aren't supposed to transfer movement to the other side of the bed. Anyone have experience with this or any...
by pamhb
Sat Feb 09, 2008 2:14 pm
Forum: Prescription Medications
Topic: Peri-menopause and RLS
Replies: 2
Views: 638

Peri-menopause and RLS

I'm now experiencing the joys of perimenopause, where I wake up at 4:00 am (the magic hour!) for no apparent reason. Going without sleep for a couple of days makes my RLS more difficult to manage (I currently take Mirapex supplemented by clonazepam), so that I soon end up with sleep issues at both e...
by pamhb
Wed May 02, 2007 12:50 am
Forum: Physical Treatments
Topic: Acupuncture
Replies: 8
Views: 3997

Acupuncture

I tried acupuncture, and it didn't help at all (although some people report that it helps with the pain). Given that RLS is neurological, I thought it strange to be putting needles into my legs and expect that it would do anything.