Need help to diagnose

[drewsmom]

Once again it is 2:30 am and I am having another sleepless night due to undescribable leg sensations. I usually fall asleep and then awaken a few hours later, fall asleep again and awaken again.

I have suffered from this since a child, though as a child it happened only once in awhile. Now it appears to occur every night at the age of 26.
I first heard about RLS when I was pregnant with my son last year. After reading the symptoms, I thought that the description suited me perfectly.
I have these sensations in my legs-not hard cramping, not a tingly "foot falls asleep" feeling. For years I have ignored it figuring that if I cant describe the feeling, no one could diagnose the problem.

I would like to know if anyone else has the same problem. Just discomfort and an awkward feeling to kick the leg and move it to make it feel better. Ususally baths will help me get settled down again for the night but within a few hours I am up again.

The "feeling" goes from my left foot (which is where the majority of the discomfort is), all the way up the left side of my body and down to hte left and. I am left handed, maybe that has something to do with it????

I am scheduling a Doctors visit to help with finding an answer. My worry is being blown off by a doctor who thinks that it may be nothing more than who knows what. I live in Northern Virginia, outside of Washington DC. DOes anyone know of a good doctor to refer me to? Should I start with a regular physician and be referred to a specialist?

Any help or feedback is greatly appreciated.

DD

[sardsy75]

I am scheduling a Doctors visit to help with finding an answer. My worry is being blown off by a doctor who thinks that it may be nothing more than who knows what. I live in Northern Virginia, outside of Washington DC. DOes anyone know of a good doctor to refer me to? Should I start with a regular physician and be referred to a specialist?

Any help or feedback is greatly appreciated.

DD

Hi

The RLS Foundation has an online listing of healthcare providers. You will find it by following these links: "Have Restless Legs" (located at the top right of your screen) - "Find a Healthcare Provider" and follow the prompts.

The link below will take you straight to a listing of specialists in Virginia:
http://beta.restlesslegs.org/provider_d ... ctory.html

It is sometimes easier to get a specialist appointment with a referral, but it always depends on the specialist. If you get on with your regular doctor, by all means give them a go first.

Take care and good luck
Nadia

[jumpyowl]

Drewsmom, you have been very silent. Have you found a good doctor? It is most important!!!

I took a quick look in Virginia and there are some experts in:

Williamsburg (2), Richmond (2), Alexandria, Fairfax, Norfolk, and Vienna.

Also in Virginia Beach and Charlottesville, but I thought they may be too far from you.

Let me know where you are located approximately so I can get you more precise information.

Or perhaps you already found some help. Let us know if you want to share. Believe me, we need all the help we can get and give each other!

Happy dreams!