I'm new to the message board all because of a strange coincidence that happened yesterday. A phone number popped up on my cell phone and when I went to do a search for who belonged to that phone number on the internet, it led me straight to the RLS.org website. What's ironic about it all is that I have PLMD and the RLS.org website is the closest I've come to any type of support for my condition. No one has my cell phone number other than my husband. I only use it to call him when he's working out in the field but he was home last night when my phone rang. I didn't answer it because I didn't recognize the phone number. Strange how that unknown phone number led me to the RLS.org website.
Anyway - on with my introduction:
I was diagnosed earlier this year with PLMD - Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. I also have some other health problems, too, but here lately my PLMD has been a bit hard to manage even being on ReQuip. I've found out that I must take my medicine at the same time every night and that I better eat a small snack when taking the ReQuip, too. Otherwise the nausea is almost unbearable. It's the only side effect I have if I do not eat a snack. I can't sit for very long. I have to stand up and stretch or walk around. I get plenty of daily exercise from walking my Greyhounds around our acre of land. I try and eat right and I try to go to bed at the same time every night regardless.
When I was first diagnosed with PLMD, my Dr asked me if I knew that I constantly ran in my sleep. I laughed because I also have 3 adopted retired racing Greyhounds that also run in their sleep when dreaming! I told my Dr that it was true - I was part Greyhound! Then my Dr got serious and said it also causes you to hyperventilate in your sleep and causes your heart to race as well throwing me into distress several times a night. That put me into the severe category of PLMD. I never knew I had a sleep disorder until I went to my neurologist for my other health problems which is MS and a protruding disc in my neck.
He started me out on ReQuip and the low doses didn't do anything for me. I was to stop at 1mg but since I've had to have it increased up to 2.25mg. I still have some awkward and restless nights on the 2.25 but the 2.50 really makes me wake up feeling out of it so I'm sticking to 2.25mg for now.
I'm glad to have found the RLS.org website and this message board. I'm hoping to be able to learn a little more about how to cope with all of this so my nights won't be so disrupted.
Have a great day everyone and a better tonight, too.
GentleHugs
