new to the site, i too have RLS ans BACK problems

Whether new to RLS or new to the site, we welcome you and invite you to share your history and experiences with RLS/WED, introduce yourself, and ask questions. Successful treatment starts with a solid understanding of this disease.
kaz60969

new to the site, i too have RLS ans BACK problems

Post by kaz60969 »

Hi everyone

I have had back problems now for over 3 years and to date all the docs and specialist keep giving me is tablets, i rattle so much with all i have had in 3yrs+. (LOL). I have not long had my 2nd MRI scan and was told my bulge was a little bigger and my nerves more compressed, they have suggested i have a spinal injection in the new year( I had a joint injection earlier this year that only lasted 9weeks) and the surgeon is going to be asked if he thinks surgery would help me. For a good few months now i have been having problems with my legs and arms, they jerk and jump and the pain is unbareable, it is really bad when i am in bed, i have even tried to stop it from happening when i feel it coming on and the feeling i get when i do is horrible, my partner is now saying that i am kicking out during the night when i AM asleep, this is all driving me nuts, i cant remember the last time i had a full nights sleep, its been years!!! When i mentioned this to my consultant he said it was restless legs and perscribed me c0-proxamol, i have been on these for some time now and have gave up as they do nothing so i am now weaning myself off them, this is very frustrating all round, i feel im going round in circles and getting nowhere when it cones to the docs etc..... :(

trevb
Posts: 214
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:49 pm

Post by trevb »

kaz,
sorry for the delay in reply... sometimes we just miss posts or when its really busy we cant reply to them all so quickly!! :oops:

youre having a difficult time! it seems that rls seems to partner up regularly with back injuries in people!

it sounds like youre definatly having plmd (which is periodic limb movements when asleep.) you can get this alone or with rls if rls is secondary (which it is for you if related to back injury!) you may benefit from a sleep study which will count the no of movements you have in one night?

im not sure what to suggest re rls? im assuming its rls as it sounds like it although it could be leg pain secondary to the back injury?? have you looked at the rls criteria? does it sound like you? you can get pain with rls but the main thing is the "irresistable urge to move ones limbs". heres the overview for you to look at...
http://www.wemove.org/rls/rls.html


has the dr tried other meds or just coproxamol? maybe the coprox has stopped working and you need to move on to another? i know that with some meds rls can get immune to them and you need to move on to other meds. perhaps time to see the dr again and try something else?

kaz60969

New to the site, i too have RLS and back problems

Post by kaz60969 »

Hi trevb, its ok abt replying. I have been told tht i have restless legs by my consultant but he didnt really say very much abt it, just said to try co-proxamol. I have a bulging disc and my nerves are compressed due to this, i am starting to think this is what is causing my RLS. I also now think after reading up on RLS that i also have PLMD, i live in the UK and i have never heard of this condition b4, i am unsure as to wether the docs even know alot abt it, i made an appointment today to see the doc but cant get in till next monday, it is all really getting to me now, i dread going to bed at night cos i know what is going to happen.

ksxroads
Posts: 645
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:19 pm
Location: Kansas

Post by ksxroads »

Dear Kaz,

Your RLS is probably related to your back problems.

Sorry you are having such a terrible time, yet we all can relate to what you are experiencing. I am sure you have probably looked through all the information for new to RLS...

Just wanted to say welcome, and let you know you are not alone.

I have found that the opiods work best for me take one a night - that seems to reduce the amount of movement ie kicking involved -given your problem maybe the doctor would consider prescribing them on a temporary basis to see if they work.

Most non pharmacutical things provide only temporary relief .. ie massage, heating pad, ice packs etc. Sometimes if I put the extra weight of a folded quilt on my legs it helps for a while...

Love and healing thoughts, Hazel

trevb
Posts: 214
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:49 pm

Re: New to the site, i too have RLS and back problems

Post by trevb »

kaz60969 wrote: I have a bulging disc and my nerves are compressed due to this, i am starting to think this is what is causing my RLS.

absolutely!

Why i said
"it seems that rls seems to partner up regularly with back injuries in people"
is because we seem to have had alot of 'rls'ers' who have got rls secondary to a back injury. so it wasnt surprising that the two are linked with you also. im not sure if it is the bulging disc that is causing it or just the fact that back injuries tend to precipitate rls but it doesnt really matter for you i guess. we just need to get to stable!

some great advice from hazel to try- and keep us informed as you get the information you need to empower you to get on top of this thing! theres lots of advice and useful stuff as hazel says in the stickys.

kaz60969

New to the site, i too have RLS and back problems

Post by kaz60969 »

Hi Hazel,
Thanks for your message. I am starting to think that it is because of my back, i also have sciatica and arthritis in my spine so i wonder if this too has got anything to do with it. This site has been very helpful with the info it gives, i have had a good read and it sure does sound like what happens to me, i had never heard of RLS till my consultant said that that was what was wrong with me. I also feel after reading all the info that i am suffering with PLMD. I have written some meds down to suggest to my doc when i see him next week as the co-proxamol is not doing a thing, i just hope something can be done cos its driving me nuts especially when i have to be up early to get the kids to school. I will try what you suggested about putting wait on my legs when i am in bed, thank yoy so much. Kaz x

kaz60969

New to the site, i too have RLS and back problems

Post by kaz60969 »

Hi again trevb

ye ur rite i need to get ontop of this as its driving me crazy, cant wait till monday so i can get into see the doc, was up till 1.30am last night with it, hate it. Do you also think it sounds like i have PLMD too with me kicking out when i AM asleep?

trevb
Posts: 214
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:49 pm

Re: New to the site, i too have RLS and back problems

Post by trevb »

kaz60969 wrote:Hi again trevb

Do you also think it sounds like i have PLMD too with me kicking out when i AM asleep?


yes.. see my previous post....
trevb wrote: youre having a difficult time! it seems that rls seems to partner up regularly with back injuries in people!

it sounds like youre definatly having plmd (which is periodic limb movements when asleep.) you can get this alone or with rls if rls is secondary (which it is for you if related to back injury!) you may benefit from a sleep study which will count the no of movements you have in one night?
... im beginning to think you didnt read my first reply to you??? :lol:


if the plmd is causing you bother it may be worth getting a sleep study done? chat to your dr about this?
keep in touch and dont forget to read all of the posts (sorry couldnt resist that :lol: )

kaz60969

New to the site, i too have RLS and back problems

Post by kaz60969 »

Hewoooooo tevb

Ye sorry i did read ur previous post, its all so hard to take in and im very tired cos not sleeping very well. When i go to see doc on monday i will mention it. If a sleep study is done does that mean you have to go into the hospital to have it done? :wink:

trevb
Posts: 214
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:49 pm

Post by trevb »

no worries-

re sleep study in hospital...afraid so!! :(
your dr may not think its appropriate though if you already know you are having sleep trouble from this already. it may just be appropriate to just get you on the right meds to control it so you are sleeping again?

what do others think?

here are the treatment options for your dr 9lots of them) just in case you want to bring them along.

http://www.rlshelp.org/rlsrx.htm
Last edited by trevb on Thu Dec 01, 2005 7:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Guest

Post by Guest »

Dear Kaz,

So sorry you are having these problems. (((BIG HUG))))

The non pharmacutical applications helps relieve the pain and sensations yet normally doesn't allow one to sleep for any extended length of time...

A friend of mine's husband was experiencing RLS from bulging discs and is now on a medication which has helped - I asked her to bring in the name and I'll post it for you. Given your spinal problems it is likely you are probably on medication to reduce inflamation and swelling etc. right?

The one thing I can't stress enough is to check and double check the medications you are currently using to see if they may be contributing to the rls problems. The doctors have prescribed various medications to me that I now know contributed to my discomfort. Eliminating them may not cease the problem, but did help to reduce the intensity. Even if the medication is not listed on the do not use list, check the list of possible side effects which may indicate that it is a medication which blocks dopamine agnosts, etc.

Myself I wonder if I have PLMD, though I suspect the kicking and flailing I do while sleeping may just be my body's response to the rls sensations. Those times I manage to get to sleep before it kicks in and the pain is not severe enough to wake me. I do have from time to time during the day spontaneous jerking but not often enough to discern if it is PLMD.

There are several good posts relating to sleep studies here, Ann aka Viewaskew in particular has a good overview of her sleep study is one that comes to mind. I meet with a Neuro friday to discuss a sleep study. The doctors upon a physcial examination would always say let's check you for sleep apnea... and here I was there to talk to them about rls. The last doctor told me that my upper palate is low which is one of the indicators that sleep apnea may be a problem.. so it is possible that I have sleep apnea, but my biggest complaint was not getting to sleep because of the rls pain! How would I know as I often get only two to three hours sleep a night...hahahaha

Will keep rowing this boat and stirring up hope that your doctor will listen to you, and be able to help you. Keep us posted on your progress.

Hey Trev, I visited your website and had an enjoyable time! Tried to post in your guest book but it must have been lost in cyber space!

Love Hazel

trevb
Posts: 214
Joined: Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:49 pm

Post by trevb »

hi hazel glad you enjoyed site.. did you get a listen to any of my music?
try posting again in my comments section...ive had a look and cant find any fault?? im not sure why you couldnt???

ksxroads
Posts: 645
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:19 pm
Location: Kansas

Post by ksxroads »

Dear Trev,

I am sure the fault is purely mine! *BG* Yes a tour of the tropical garden, listening to your music... I really did enjoy your compositions. The band sound is similar to what I know as Chicago style blues, enjoyed that also.

RLS content... I find listening to music helps me at night sometimes. Hazel

kaz60969

New to the site, i too have RLS and back problems

Post by kaz60969 »

Morning Hazel

Thank you so much for your message, it was intetesting reading. I have checked the list and the only thing i can find on the dont take list is the sertraline i take for my depression, i have been on this for a few yrs now so i dont know if this really is agrovating my RLS as i havnt had it that long. One thing that sprung to mind the other day while speaking to my mum about it was- when i was almost due to give birth to my 3rd child nearly 10yrs ago i can now remember having the same feelings in my legs as i do now, then i just put it down to being pregnant and after i gave birth it disapeared so i didnt give it a second thought. It obviously has come back, lol, i thought it was incurable. I am going to see a different doctor on monday(a Lady) so hopefully i will get somewhere, i really hope i do, i was wakened by this 3 times last night and trying to get to sleep was a nightmare. So needless to say i am shattered this morning. That would be really gr8 for you to post on the name of the meds your friend is on, thank you. From what my partner says my kicking out is quite alot, i dont just jump about i kick my partner also, my arms even go too and also sometimes my whole body. I agree totally there are alot of good posts on here, i have found some really helpful tips reading them. When i was speaking to my son (hes 18) about this he said "mum thats what my legs do when i go to bed, all i want to do is move them" i am wondering now if this is my son now got it too, oh i really hope not!!!

Guest

Post by Guest »

Dear Kaz,

The co-worker finally remembered to bring in the med the dr prescribed her husband which helped with the rls from his bulging discs... Hydroco/apa ie Loratab, vicodin...

So sorry to hear your son may have it also. There is a genetic link in some RLS instances. From talking with my grown children we realize all three of them have it to some degree. And as we look back on our child hood we realize that there were signs even then. In another thread it is mentioned that there are only four researchers conducting research into child RLS. It is so very important that we remember that money is needed for research!

Love Hazel

Post Reply