Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

Hi,

I’m just trying to get a better understanding of my symptoms relative to others. I’m 34, I only seem to have symptoms for 2-3 hours a day, usually from 2-4AM.

When do your symptoms occur? And, how long does it go on for? Was this always the case? If not, how has it progressed?

Oozz - My RLS is severe in my legs, usually the right leg. Occasionally in the arms. I've had it for some 30+ years. I take medication spread over the 24 hour day, less in the morning and more in the evening. Also during the night.
Without medication I would have constant symptoms. At least that is how it was and I assume still is.
I can recall clearly my very first RLS episode in my legs and it didn't take long to progress to my arms. Perhaps a couple of years.

My symptoms also quickly progressed to 24/7 before I ever started taking medication. In those days it was before the RLS Discussion Board and I would not have known how to treat my sumptoms. I drank cola, coffee, alcohol etc All known to be triggrs. I would have taken over the counter medications that would have been a trigger.

Following medication I improved but it took a long time to find what worked best and it still is not perfect.
I now sleep about 4 hours per night in 2 x 2 hour naps approximately. However, as well as insomnia I have untreated sleep apnea.
I also have several unrelated chronic conditions.
I'm female aged 71 years.

We can probably close this thread because the most recent survey addresses my questions.

I know when a reaction is starting because I cannot sit down or lie down. Once it starts, it can be quite some time before subsiding. (maybe an hour) I have to stand or walk and alternate often. This is much more likely to occur late afternoon or evening. The medication helps prevent the reactions.

I'm also a 71 year old female. My symptoms are in my calves, sometimes in the evening if I sit too long but always every 1.5 to 3 hours when I wake up. Every time. I need to stay up for at least an hour walking, stretching, rubbing, stomping etc while reading or watching Netflix on my iPad mini. Last night was a good one, seven hours in four segments over 10.5 hours. I didn't have to get up today but most days I wouldn't have had that last two hours of sleep.
I take .25 of ropinerole, two x 60mg codeine, iron, magnesium and liquid B12. I told my doctor the codeine seems like a placebo a lot of the time and she said that does happen. I just started on gabapentin, only 100mg for now. It has helped some but not much. After a month I'm going to ask for the dose to be increased. Kratom and cannabis (at least not legally) are not available in New Zealand.

Mine start about 5 pm if I do not take meds. If I wait to take meds, they do not work as well. “Chasing” RLS does not work for me. I also get worse symptoms after going to bed about 9:00 pm.

queen wrote: ↑

Mon Aug 23, 2021 11:41 pm

Mine start about 5 pm if I do not take meds. If I wait to take meds, they do not work as well. “Chasing” RLS does not work for me. I also get worse symptoms after going to bed about 9:00 pm.

I missed my main meds at 4 PM. Took them around 8 PM. It's now 4 AM and I am still awake. Taking medication late is HORRIBLE.