Restless Leg Syndrome, anyone???

Hi there, all my sweet sisters!
Please tell me I'm not the only one (besides ksses) who's going through this nightmare of restless leg syndrome! As if the insomnia isn't bad enough, add the night sweats and hot flashes, and I'm cranky. So I go to lay down, and bam !!!
My stupid legs won't quit twitching, no matter what I do. I get up, walk around, try to walk before bed, stay away from caffiene, try not to let myself get overly tired, you name it. It's weird, cuz before my hyst, it would happen, and after quite awhile it turned out that if I went pee, it would go away. I never had the urge to pee, but I guess my bladder was pressing on a nerve or something. I hoped that after the hyst, that wouldn't be a problem, that it was the adhesions doing this mean, cruel thing to me. I was ok, until the last 2 or 3 nights. Now, it's worse than before. And yeah, I still get up and pee, but when I lay back down, it's happening again! C'mon, man! What's next????
This is soooo not helping my crying jags! Sleep deprivation is an ugly thing, believe me! Anyone else having or had to deal with this monster? If not, I'm so happy for you !!!!!
Thanks for listening. I could just you all!
, Missy

Hi Missy!

Here is the link to a thread that you may find helpful about restless legs:

http://www.hystersisters.com/vb2/sho...t=restless+leg

Also, at the top of your screen you can click on the word "search" and type in restless leg and get additional threads.

Take care!

s

Thanks, hon! I read the link, all the posts in it, and the additional link within that thread. I took notes and will definitely give those things a shot. If anyone else has additional advice or is dealing with it as well, please share your story or info with me! You girls are the best!

Certain meds cause me to have RLS.
If you are able to, try taking a hot bath with something like Epsom salt or a soothing bath additive, right before you feel you are ready to go to sleep. Be sure to get out before the water gets cold, so your body is still warm and relaxed. Go imediately to bed.
It may not work for everyone, but it's worth trying.

--Ang

Hi, Missy:

I sufferred from insomnia and restless leg syndrome (RLS) before my surgery. My primary-care physician prescribed 300 mg of Neurontin. (I previously used another medication to help me sleep; when I complained about my legs, he assured me that the problem was "quite real" and switched to this med. It has greatly improved the quality of my sleep!!!

I have found that I do not need to take the med everyday. As a matter of fact, I didn't take it for 3 weeks prior to my surgery. And I just recently started taking it again (when I hit the 3-4 week post-op period).

Of course, check with your physician to see if another treatment may be more suitable for you. And good luck. I know how horrible insomnia can be. I sufferred with it for over 20 years before I sought help.

Don't let yourself go nuts over the RLS! Yes, it's a pain in the fanny syndrome, but we're not alone with it. I'm on an email group via yahoo (www.groups.yahoo.com/group/rlssupport). If you want to find out the latest and greatest news on the subject, I would highly recommend that egroup.

I've been suffering with RLS for quite a few years, but had no idea it was an actual "syndrome". I always attributed it to nerves or too much caffeine. Low and behold it's real and it's treatable.

About 6 months ago, while visiting our doc together, my hubby told the doc about my "bike riding" in bed at night. The doc asked me a few questions and then suggested that I was suffering with RLS. He prescribed a medication... sorry, can't remember the name of it right now, and it worked for about 2 months. During that time I began sinking my teeth into anything and everything I could find on the subject. I also joined the RLS Support group on yahoo. After reading all the different ways in which folks deal with it, I went back to my doc and told him that I wanted to try a medication called Mirapex!

Mirapex has been a Godsend for me and the RLS. Not only do the nervous leg things stop.. but, I also sleep well at night. I was beginning to think a good night's sleep would never happen again in my adult life!

I have also learned a few other things.. like what to avoid. RLS folks have to avoid antihistamines (sp?) and caffeine, mainly. Benadryl (diphenhydromine) really sends me into an RLS attack! I avoid caffeine after about 3pm, otherwise I pay for it with lack of sleep. If you do a www.google.com search for RLS or "Restless Leg Syndrome" then you'll find all sorts of information. Just like with a hysterectomy, everyone is different. So, do your homework, just like you may have done with your hyster, and be pro active about finding the treatment that is right for you.

Did you know RLS is hereditary? Yep! Start asking relatives if they've heard of it. Describe the symptoms. If your family or friends are anything like mine, you'll begin to hear responses like, "Geee, we always called it the heebejeebies", or "I always wondered what these jitters were".

Best of luck with your RLS.
PitterPat

PitterPat & Sisters,
Thank you. I feel now like I have somewhere to turn. That's a good feeling. I love you all, my friends.
, Missy