Hi Jaci
Welcome to the group
I am also 28. My RLS is a secondary condition; my primary condition is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) - better known around some places as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome(CFS).
As I mentioned to Becat recently, there's no rule that says you must stick with one doctor, particularly if you are not satisfied with the way they are treating you. A "theoretical expert" ain't always a "practical expert"!
I have also mentioned in various posts around here that I received some advice from a very sick friend (who has now passed) who simply said: "The more doctors, the merrier."
You are the one who needs to find a more comfortable level of living, and if that means finding another specialist, by all means, do so. If you have to stick with your doctor, then he/she needs to know that you're in charge of your own body and if a treatment is not working, then they're the ones you're paying to assist with finding a treatment that will. Take your hubby/partner/another family member with you to your appointments with you. This can often help in getting more response from the doctor.
I have recently emerged relatively unscathed from 10 months of Literal Hell (you can find more of me under the thread "Prescription Medication Side Effects) and it took a sidelong glance and a "second opinions don't always go astray; you make the phone call and i'll write the letter" from my GP for me to get my foot through the door for a second opinion from another Neurologist. I still have an appointment with a Third Neurologist lined up for September if things don't pan out positively between now and then.
The present "top four" treatments for RLS are as follows:
a) dopamine agonist supplementation (various types are available)
b) opioids
c) benzodiazapines
d) anticonvulsants
Of course, there are pro and cons for each. RLS is different for everyone, and we all become our own guinea pigs at one time or another, or even for months on end, until we find that "magic cocktail". Some have pain, some don't. Some have 24/7 symptoms, others don't. Some have found their "magic cocktails", others, like yourself, are still searching". The one common denominator in this group (besides RLS!) is that we're here for each other, day and night, and we stick together.
Sinement is usually one of the first drugs prescribed for RLS patients. However, while it can be very effective, it is the one drug which causes the most problems with rebound and augmentation (i.e. your symptoms get worse so you increase the dose, your symptoms get worse again, and so on).
There is a wonderful gentleman in this group, Jumpyowl, who would more than likely be willing to help with advice on your medications. For us to help you, don't be afraid to tell us whats on your mind.
DO NOT GIVE UP!!!! I can "feel" your stress and it is certainly not doing yourself or you baby any good. I've been to rock bottom....I know what it's like, i've cried for hours and hours and the number of times i've wished we owned a chainsaw just so I could chop the dang things off are too many to count. However, if you give up your family are never going to forgive you Likewise, if you chop off your legs, not only will you never be able to walk again, you will still get phantom RLS, which definitely can't be treated
My top four favourite non-drug remedies are massage, cranio-sacral therapy, long hot spa baths, and gentle leg stretching. Definitely check out the RLS Rebel site listed above as I have tried most of the techniques Jill has suggested, and if you put your mind to it, they will help!
We are here for you Jaci, anytime, day or night. If you just need to vent and get everything off your chest, go right ahead.
In the meantime, take care of you, take it one day at a time and most importantly, Stay Positive!!! You can beat this!!
Sending lots of positive thoughts and cyber ((((((HUGS)))))) your way
Nadia
P.S. You mentioned being from Georgia, so I'm going to assume you mean the State of Georgia USA (i'm in the upsidedown land of Oz!). I did a quick search of the healthcare providers listing (
http://beta.restlesslegs.org/provider_d ... ctory.html)on this site for Georgia and have come up with the following listing. Hopefully there is someone on this list near to where you live.
Phoebe Family Care Center
Thomas R Graff MD
2336 Dawson Rd
Albany GA 31707-2442
229-312-8800
Family Medicine
Vein Clinics of America
Danny E Huntley MD
5505 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd NE Ste 545
Atlanta GA 30342-1758
800-660-8346
Phlebology
Internal Med
Emory University School of Medicine
David B. Rye MD PhD
1639 Pierce Dr
6000 WMRB-PO Drawer V
Atlanta GA 30322-0001
770-512-0514 home
Neurology
Sleep Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
David B. Rye MD PhD
1639 Pierce Dr
6000 WMRB-PO Drawer V
Atlanta GA 30322-0001
770-512-0514 home
Neurology
Sleep Medicine
Mark I Harris MD
Comprehensive Neurology Specialists, PC
4655 North Shallowford Road
Suite 200
Atlanta GA 30338
770-454-4685
Neurology
Emory University School of Medicine
David B. Rye MD PhD
1639 Pierce Dr
6000 WMRB-PO Drawer V
Atlanta GA 30322-0001
770-512-0514 home
Neurology
Sleep Medicine
John A. Goldman MD
555 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Suite 293
Atlanta GA 30342
404-252-0230
Rheumatology
APG Center for Sleep Disorders
David Westerman MD
5667 Peachtree Dunwoody Rd #250
Atlanta GA 30342
404-303-1700
Sleep Medicine
Emory University School of Medicine
Charles M. Epstein MD
1365 Clifton Rd NE
Atlanta GA 30322-1013
404-778-3440
Neurology
Leslie Kelman MD
5671 Peachtree Dunwoody Road
Suite 620
Atlanta GA 30342
(404) 843-9958
Neurology
Medical College of Georgia
Kapil D. Sethi MD, FRCP
1120 15th St HB2060
Augusta GA 30912-0004
706-721-4581
Neurology
Jagdish Sidhpura
Professional Tower
700 Center St Ste 304
Columbus GA 31901-1545
706-322-0176
Neurology
Sleep Medicine
Fel Street St Francis
Jack Blalock Jr, MD
Medical Parkway
2300 Manchester Expy
Columbus GA 31904-6802
706-327-4317
Internal Medicine
Endocrinology
North Georgia Neurological Institute
Robert A Pedersen MD, PhD
1505 Professional Ct
Box 604
Dalton GA 30720-2500
706-275-6121
Neurology
Pulmonay and Sleep Specialists, PC
Mark T Pollock
2665 N Decatur Rd Ste 230
Decatur GA 30033-6136
404-499-0533
Sleep Medicine
NE Georgia Diagnostic Clinic
Laena Karnstedt MD
1240 Jesse Jewell Parkway Ste 500
Gainesville GA 30501
770-536-9864
Int Medicine
Joseph Cuccia
715 Jessee JewellPkwy SE
Gainesville GA 30501
770-532-7893
Neurology
Sleep Medicine
East Cobb Medical Center
Todd B. Greer MD
Vein Clinics of America
575 Professional Dr Ste 530
Lawrenceville GA 30045-3336
678-376-7399
Int Medicine
Vein Clinics of America
Dan E Huntley MD
575 Professional Dr Ste 530
Lawrenceville GA 30045-3336
800-660-8346
Phlebology
Susan R. Raybourne MD
380 Hospital Dr Ste 420
Macon GA 31217-8015
(478) 742-2922
Neurology
Fayette Medical Center
John B Abel MD
4000 Shakerag Hl
Peachtree City GA 30269-4047
Internal Medicine
Harbin Clinic
Jay A. Schecter MD
1825 Martha Berry Blvd
Rome GA 30161
706-236-6343
Neurology
North Fulton Neurology
Frank Puhalovich PhD
1285 Hembree Rd Ste 160
Roswell GA 30076-4995
770-751-1589
Neurology
Royston Medical Associates, P.C.
Hoyt Crump MD
819 Church St
Royston GA 30662-4434
706-245-6177
Family Medicine
St. Joseph's Hospital
Anthony M. Costrini MD
11700 Mercy Blvd Plaza D Bldg 5
Savannah GA 31419
912-927-6680
Sleep Medicine
Neurological Institute of Savannah
William T Garrett MD
4 E Jackson Blvd
Savannah GA 31405-5810
912-355-1010
Neurology
Affinity Health Group
Randall C Lanier MD
2225 US Hwy 41 North
Tifton GA 31794
912-391-4250
Internal Medicine
Sleep Medicine
Pulmonary Medicine
Terry M Brown D O
1030 Cherokee St
Valdosta GA 31602
(229) 241-1434
Sleep Medicine
The Neurological Institute of Valdosta
Hernan Posas Jr, MD
4274 N Valdosta Rd
Valdosta GA 31602-6814
229-242-1234
Neurology