i'm 48 years and not diagnosed. i didn't even know 'til a few months ago that what i had was a 'thing'. i thought it was just another thing i had, that was peculiar to me.
it started in my adolescence, to the best of my meory. then it was an cold ache deep in my muscles. in my 20's it began to change; my knees would get that restless feeling and i couldn't sleep.
i din't have many episodes of this and they were far apart.
just in the last week and a 1/2, it's gotten really bad. out of the last 7 nights, i have slept 2 and not well, either. i am also dealing with depression and anxiety; under treatment for them, but my depression is chronic and i have depressions on top of that.
i am almost at my wits end. i am spending most of the day sleeping and it is not helping my dpression get better.
i am perimenopausal and began haicng paplitations at the beginning of december 2005. checked for heart trouble, none. then the anxiety started and now i am just miserable.
i am wondering if the rls, and the other conditions are worsening as i approach menopause.
i will going to doc week after next and hope to get some info from her and maybe some meds.
this site is just so full of help, support and information,. thank you!
hello, newbie here
hello, newbie here
~smikette~
-
ViewsAskew
- Moderator
- Posts: 16584
- Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:37 am
- Location: Los Angeles
Hey Smikette, welcome to the group.
You know, you are absolutely right. All these other things going on? They absolutely can make RLS much worse. Hormones? yep! Drugs for depression? yep! Stress? yep! Even the foods we eat and the beverages we consume can make RLS worse.
The good news is that you may be able to control some of those things and reduce the RLS to a more managable place where you don't need drugs. The bad news is that is probably really sucks right now.
If you have a little time, please read the Start Here sticky thread in this section. It will give a lot of information that we've compiled over time. The very first post in that thread will list things you can do to change your lifestyle that might really help reduce it. The rest of the posts give information about drugs in case you decide that you need to see the doctor and ask about them.
One caution: lots of docs are woefully poorly informed about RLS. Reading this information will help you know if you are getting the right help. The more you know, the better you can advocate for yourself and the best care. I wish I didn't have to say that, but too many of us find that this is true.
We're glad you found the group. Hope that you find what you need here.
Ann
You know, you are absolutely right. All these other things going on? They absolutely can make RLS much worse. Hormones? yep! Drugs for depression? yep! Stress? yep! Even the foods we eat and the beverages we consume can make RLS worse.
The good news is that you may be able to control some of those things and reduce the RLS to a more managable place where you don't need drugs. The bad news is that is probably really sucks right now.
If you have a little time, please read the Start Here sticky thread in this section. It will give a lot of information that we've compiled over time. The very first post in that thread will list things you can do to change your lifestyle that might really help reduce it. The rest of the posts give information about drugs in case you decide that you need to see the doctor and ask about them.
One caution: lots of docs are woefully poorly informed about RLS. Reading this information will help you know if you are getting the right help. The more you know, the better you can advocate for yourself and the best care. I wish I didn't have to say that, but too many of us find that this is true.
We're glad you found the group. Hope that you find what you need here.
Ann
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
Managing Your RLS
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.
i'm glad i found you, too
these last few sleepless nights have been productive. i've been reading about rls all over the net.
i have found that getting focused on something, like a 'puter game or reading can help sometimes.
i mentioned rls to my doc once a few months ago and all she said was it had to be diagnosed in a sleep lab. NOT!
i have a list of symptoms here that no sleep lab will ever dic=scover, because it's what i FEEL in my legs.
i'll keep reading and learning, so i am fully armed when i go see her.
i have found that getting focused on something, like a 'puter game or reading can help sometimes.
i mentioned rls to my doc once a few months ago and all she said was it had to be diagnosed in a sleep lab. NOT!
i have a list of symptoms here that no sleep lab will ever dic=scover, because it's what i FEEL in my legs.
i'll keep reading and learning, so i am fully armed when i go see her.
~smikette~
That's right Smikette, a sleep study will not diagnosis RLS, keep educating yourself and print out information you think might be useful in helping your doctor understand your situation. Keep in mind not all doctors are receptive to *being educated* so you might want to go slow!
In particular pay close attention to medications which increase RLS sensations. That is very important. Read the Mayo Clinic Algorithm closely. My husband came home one day and said I heard you described on NPR, it was a program about RLS. I went to my GP and asked about RLS, and she prescribed Elavil, which I took that night and had a full body reaction which was a living nightmare! Since July 2005 I have changed doctors (5) and seen three specialists ... do not give up, continue to seek a medical doctor who is willing to listen and work with you.
In my late 40s I began the hormonal swing! Heart palpitations, depression, etc. The rls became more painful, yet I didn't know about RLS at that point. Drs ranged from there is nothing we can do to prescribing synthetic hormones. I sought information and determines what I could do and finally was able to come to terms with my changing body. But the RLS sensations remained.
For as long as I can remember I have had problems being diagnosed as Chronically depressed which I now see were directly related to RLS and my inability to achieve restorative sleep. GPs, Gynos, phsycologists, psychiatrists, etc treated me for chronic depression. Deep down I knew that there was *something* ... I now realize that the anti depressants and medications I was prescribed contributed to my RLS problems.
I have been where you are ... and it was a wonderful blessing when I found RLS.org. There was the gift of friendship, support and guidance. The most precious gift, that of accepting that I deserved a better Quality of Life.
Keep us posted on your journey!
Hazel
In particular pay close attention to medications which increase RLS sensations. That is very important. Read the Mayo Clinic Algorithm closely. My husband came home one day and said I heard you described on NPR, it was a program about RLS. I went to my GP and asked about RLS, and she prescribed Elavil, which I took that night and had a full body reaction which was a living nightmare! Since July 2005 I have changed doctors (5) and seen three specialists ... do not give up, continue to seek a medical doctor who is willing to listen and work with you.
In my late 40s I began the hormonal swing! Heart palpitations, depression, etc. The rls became more painful, yet I didn't know about RLS at that point. Drs ranged from there is nothing we can do to prescribing synthetic hormones. I sought information and determines what I could do and finally was able to come to terms with my changing body. But the RLS sensations remained.
For as long as I can remember I have had problems being diagnosed as Chronically depressed which I now see were directly related to RLS and my inability to achieve restorative sleep. GPs, Gynos, phsycologists, psychiatrists, etc treated me for chronic depression. Deep down I knew that there was *something* ... I now realize that the anti depressants and medications I was prescribed contributed to my RLS problems.
I have been where you are ... and it was a wonderful blessing when I found RLS.org. There was the gift of friendship, support and guidance. The most precious gift, that of accepting that I deserved a better Quality of Life.
Keep us posted on your journey!
Hazel
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation.
Music can be made anywhere, is invisible and does not smell. --W H Auden
Music can be made anywhere, is invisible and does not smell. --W H Auden