Greetings From New Guy
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 9:43 pm
Hey everyone, Bob here. I'm a 62 YO male with what is most likely hereditary RLS since my dad had it as well. I guess I've had it for 12 or more years. It started as an occasional urge to move feeling in my ankles and feet, and has progressed to a constant, very painful condition that is robbing me of my health.
I'm currently on 1800 mg Gabapentin, and 10mg Hydrocodone. I am afraid admit this to my sleep doctor for fear he will cut my prescription, but my pain is often so bad that some nights I end up taking an extra Hydrocodone pill and usually run out 5-10 days early, which only makes it worse. I've also tried Requip, which made me bat crazy after 3-4 nights, and Clonazepam, which did not seem to help at all.
I often read about the urge to move the legs, but mine is only in my ankles and feet. And it's EXTREMELY painful. Sometimes I get waves of pain that make me cry out while watching TV in the evening. This is from a guy that once rode 250 miles on my motorcycle with 3 broken ribs because I didn't want to leave my bike in a different state. So I have a high tolerance for pain, but this is kicking my butt. I often end up taking 3mg melatonin on top of my other meds just so I can go to sleep.
Laying on my stomach, with my feet stretched out below like I am wearing swim fins sometimes helps a bit.
In my 30's and 40's I was very athletic and ran, cycled or lifted every day. However I am presently obese, having lost 100 lbs two years ago, only to gain it all back. I wake up several times a night, and never sleep past 4:00. Exercising is almost impossible, my legs feel leaden in the morning, I think from the Gabapentin.
From reading others stories, my gut tells me RLS likely many different causes, but with similar symptoms.
Sorry for such a long rant, but it feels like others can probably relate.
I'm currently on 1800 mg Gabapentin, and 10mg Hydrocodone. I am afraid admit this to my sleep doctor for fear he will cut my prescription, but my pain is often so bad that some nights I end up taking an extra Hydrocodone pill and usually run out 5-10 days early, which only makes it worse. I've also tried Requip, which made me bat crazy after 3-4 nights, and Clonazepam, which did not seem to help at all.
I often read about the urge to move the legs, but mine is only in my ankles and feet. And it's EXTREMELY painful. Sometimes I get waves of pain that make me cry out while watching TV in the evening. This is from a guy that once rode 250 miles on my motorcycle with 3 broken ribs because I didn't want to leave my bike in a different state. So I have a high tolerance for pain, but this is kicking my butt. I often end up taking 3mg melatonin on top of my other meds just so I can go to sleep.
Laying on my stomach, with my feet stretched out below like I am wearing swim fins sometimes helps a bit.
In my 30's and 40's I was very athletic and ran, cycled or lifted every day. However I am presently obese, having lost 100 lbs two years ago, only to gain it all back. I wake up several times a night, and never sleep past 4:00. Exercising is almost impossible, my legs feel leaden in the morning, I think from the Gabapentin.
From reading others stories, my gut tells me RLS likely many different causes, but with similar symptoms.
Sorry for such a long rant, but it feels like others can probably relate.