Can other conditions cause RLS type symptoms?

[SmartKat]

I was very sick last weak with a stomach virus or something and got severly dehydrated.
Then as soon as I started to feel back to normal, my legs started hurting. Saturday and Sunday night, it really felt like the RLS I had when I was on anti-depressents a few years ago, EXCEPT it was pain instead of the 'creepy-crawly' feeling.

The pain in deep in my thighs more than anywhere else and it is at least somewhat relieved by moving my legs.

Heat seems to be the best treatment for me.

So I am wondering if this isn't really the classic RLS but maybe a symptom of something else. The pain and sudden onset makes me wonder.

[Scarlett46]

Dehydration, the flu, etc... is notorious for exacerbating my RLS symptoms! Like; it's not bad enough that I'm sick, but my legs gotta be crazier and more painful!?!? But that is most often the case for me.

[rabe 3737]

My Chiropractor told me to seek treatment for my varicose veins, when I saw that specialist, he informed me that RLS can be caused by varicose veins. He seems to think that closing the diseased veins will have a positive effect on the RLS symptoms.

I had an ultra sound on my legs yesterday, during the procedure, they dropped my legs, and spasms in my legs started. It was pretty uncomfortable. don't know if that was RLS, or something else, but it MUST be related.) Getting off the table, going to work, and getting on w my routine, the spasms stopped, it was a normal day. however, last nite I woke up with "charliehorses" in both legs and feet. Some weird changes are going on, not sure why.

Has anyone else had experience with varicose veins?[size=18][/size][color=red][/color][b][/b]

[Polar Bear]

I had no improvement following surgery.

[dogeyed]

Kat,
I have recently been having lots of indigestion, and it seemed to grab me in the thighs, too, complete with charlie horses in feet, so perhaps since you were sick, it got you that way. My RLS kicks up anytime something else is wrong with me, too. I do have a painful back, all parts of the spine, and whenever it acts up, so too does my RLS. It's like if something hurts related to the legs, it winds up lots worse for us RLS people.
GG

[rabe 3737]

yes, it was the vein Dr. who first indicated this possibility to me, but it was also supported by Dr. Arun at "just ask.medical: here is the link that he referred to : (Pathophysioloy 4th paragraph:

http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/506855

he also gave me the names of all blood tests to request

I'm also curious if it's related to gastric bypass surgery? anyone else experience that?

[Betty/WV]

I have been having a similar problem as to what you all are discussing. I have had either a stomach virus or food poisoning. The first day I had a terrible stomach ache, fever etc. That night the stomach ache eased up. And the fever left. But, I can't lay down and rest. Its difficult to describe, but it must be the RLS (EKD) It is sort of different from before with the RLS. Just a restless feeling. I feel better standing up and moving. Although I am weak and want to rest. It has to be the RLS, what else would it be???

BETTY/WV

[badnights]

rabe 3737: The article you refer to does not indicate that varicose veins can cause RLS. It says that varicose veins may present symptoms that can be confused with RLS, so if the RLS diagnosis is not certain, the doctor should check for varicose veins, peripheral neuoropathy, etc. If one of those things is found, then the RLS diagnosis is abandoned and the findings are treated. If the symptoms persist, the RLS diagnosis can be resurrected.

So maybe that's all your doctor is trying to say, that either you don't have RLS or your RLS symptoms are compounded by the varicose vein symptoms. In any case, it will be good to get the varicose veins treated.

[rabe 3737]

thank you so much for the clarification: that does make sense.

how about Gastric Bypass and RLS? any connection there?

also, what about diet? do you see any correlation between rls and intake of refined carbs?

I'v been on requip for several years, I hate how it makes me feel. W/love to find relief without it. I've seen 2 GP'S AND A Neurologist, none have tried to help me find a cause, just simply wrote the scripts.

I am going to pursue the varicose veins, hopefully that w help, but, anything else I should rule out?

[ViewsAskew]

rabe, no association with diet or bypass.

Unless, that is, either is inhibiting your iron.

That's the first place to start. Get your ferritin tested. If it's under 50, you need to take iron.

[badnights]

That's what I would suggest too: get your blood levels of ferritin tested. For some people, raising their ferritin levels above 50 makes a noticeable difference in their symptoms.

I'm one of them; I was having breakthru symptoms (low-level all day and nasty but brief at night) despite my meds. Then I switched iron pills and 2 weeks later, the breakthroughs had stopped and my ferritin had shot up from 30 to 130.

I absorb the sulphate much better than the gluconate, apparently.

If your doctor says your ferritin is normal, ask what the actual level is, because a lot of labs say 20 is normal, whereas that is now agreed to be too low for Ekbom patients.

(Gosh I'm going to miss the way RLS rolls off the tongue. Nothing else about that name tho!)

[Betty/WV]

It isn't necessarily the surgery that affects Ekbom, whether gastric bypass, knee replacement, heart cath, or whatever. But it is what they may give you to sedate you or to control nausea etc., that can exacerbate Ekbom disease. On the Medical Alert Card for RLS (EKD) it lists these meds and advises to administer with EXTREME caution. I am very careful to make sure the health care provider understands this before I have any procedure. Because once I had a heart cath and they gave me benedryl, even after I had explained and gave them my medical alert card (I should have threatened legal action). I suffered horribly with Ekbom after that episode. Dr. B. advised me to use the phrase "allergic reaction" when talking to the doctor or nurse and this will get their attention. As it did when I had a knee replacement. They put a bracelet thing on me with all the meds that would exacerbate the EKD. I had no problem that time.

BETTY/WV