Hi Ngarde, and Miss Kathy,
N, I know reading this board can be scary. My own post probably don't help much with that, but even I have hope......and I know these people will send Hugs to you, help you get the best RLS education, even more important, that most solid support anywhere.
Kathy has already given you great advice, but I wanted to jump in too!
The answer is yes, to all your questions...However, you and your partner should proceed and plan, and live the life you can and should. There's only one perfect time to have kids, thats when your ready to be a good parent...
I, personally, have had RLS in a painful form for most of my 43 yrs., but got a good chunk of time in my late teens or early 20's and my pregnancy that were mild and easily managed. It stayed that wonderful until I broke my leg and ankle at 30 yrs old, so I might have been able to go longer still. And, it took so long for me to find someone that understood or would help, I was a bit out of control to begin with.
Yes, RLS can get worse and it can really be damaging to your life, but it doesn't have to be that way.
First your here and your getting educated. Way ahead of the problem or the progression, so you can now or then, be on top of it before it gets out of hand. Kathy is right, you have to have a great RLS education, many docs lack those skills and you'll have to defend yourself and your own body.
Second, if you find a doctor now and find a real partner in that doctor, your more likely to be able to be ahead of the game. It does take some of us time to find the right thing that works, having a doctor that is willing to partner with you, instead of "just take this" is so very important.
Do not be affraid to involve your partner with this disorder or with your RLS doctor. My husband has been key in backing up my story, sharing his own stress with my condition, and helping the doctor better understand my case.
Third, I do believe that getting treatment early or before the RLS gets out of control, where your insomnia is chronic and the RLS is more than occassional, is key. Your more likely to be able to control a small fire than a large one....if that makes any sense. EX: I had pain, chronic (yrs of it) insomnia, and whole body RLS by the time I found my doc....with a bit more education that I got here, I learned that if my doctor and I had tried a couple of low doses of a couple of things, I might have been able to use certain meds. longer. However, this comes from years of learning and a bit more advanced research as well. So, no harm by my doc.
Woman face many things that simply are a biologic nightmare, but docs are getting educated about that and it's floating the hope for me.
I'm glad you found us, only wish it could be for a fun reason. Your here now and we're happy to answer questions, point you in the right direction, or simply offer a hug and an ear.
Welcome to the board.
Lynne
!!