Restless leg syndrome anyone?

[walking coma]

I've had these pulling pains in my legs for years; did a web search and I suspect this is what I have. I have pain that goes from one leg to the other and feels like growing pains. It's interrupting my love affair between me and my cpap. I've tried tylenol, hot showers, Dr. Ho massage therapy,exercise all to no avail.The pain will last for several weeks and then go into remission for awhile. I know there is someone out there who has a solution.

[Julie]

Have you had a neurologist do a back examination?

[algerwetmore]

I have been diagnosed with restless leg syndrome, but my symptoms are more like creepy, crawly nerve twitchings in the legs. I have been prescribed low doses of levo-carbidopa (50/200) and I have found that to be very effective. The only side effect I have had is the occasional numbing of fingers while I am sleeping.

[Julie]

Have you looked up PLMD (similar but different)?

[kteague]

Quite a few forum members report having RLS. Some, like me, also have PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Disorder). If you search RLS you'll find tons of reading here. Reading Julie's post about a back exam reminds me that sometimes there is an identifiable cause that can be treated rather than going directly to treating the symptoms. But causes can be elusive, leaving one no resort but to treat the symptoms when they are adversely affecting ones well-being. Someone linked to an article once that said neuromas on the foot can be a culprit. Some medications can cause RLS symptoms, so that's a good starting point. Hopefully your research will lead you to some relief.

[SethW]

I bounce my legs all the time when I am awake. Sometimes my legs are uncomfortable. Sometimes my feet twitch while I am sleeping. The pulmonologist I saw for my sleep study prescribed a medicine (Mirapex) to me for restless legs syndrome (RLS) based on the results of the sleep study, but I never had it filled. I have videoed myself sleeping since and mostly I just lie there like a big lump for hours until I roll over. Other nights I do have some regular foot twitching going on, which it seems to me would be more consistent with a diagnosis of periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). Sometimes I will just move my leg by itself, but more often than not when I do move my leg it is just part of my rolling over. I do not understand how a diagnosis of RLS can be made on the basis of a sleep study. I do not remember ever waking up because of some feeling in my legs. Sometimes my legs will ache while I am lying down and trying to go to sleep, but I do not feel the need to move them constantly for any sort of relief. I suspect a new mattress might help me out just as much as any medicine for that. So if you want a non-pharmacological solution, maybe you could give that a try. But like I said, although I was officially diagnosed with it, I am not aware of it interfering with my sleep, whereas you seem to be aware that it is interfering with yours. You might also try making more detailed observations of when it is better and when it is worse. I saw frequent mentions of iron deficiency associated with making symptoms worse, but do not just start taking iron supplements because too much iron can cause problems. But maybe you could see if there was any relationship between what you eat and symptoms. I would guess the odds of finding something highly correlated with the symptoms would be slim, but one never knows.

[Chuck Connors]

I've had these pulling pains in my legs for years; did a web search and I suspect this is what I have. I have pain that goes from one leg to the other and feels like growing pains. It's interrupting my love affair between me and my cpap. I've tried tylenol, hot showers, Dr. Ho massage therapy,exercise all to no avail.The pain will last for several weeks and then go into remission for awhile. I know there is someone out there who has a solution.

__________________________________________________________________________________

The first course of action I would take is schedule an appointment with your Doctor, as Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) may be a sign of a more serious health issue (heart related). Your doc may possibly refer you to a cardiologist. Here are a couple of links to reputable organizations which you may want to check out.

http://www.cardiosource.org/News-Media/ ... s-leg.aspx

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/magnesium-000313.htm

Among the multitude of things you'll learn about RLS, research shows that there is a link between RLS and having a magnesium deficiency. Besides my regular doctor appointments, I've been taking a daily magnesium supplement, which has helped quiet the RLS.

Best wishes to you in getting it resolved. -Chuck-

[Pap365]

Magnesium helps me too. I would suggest asking your doctor to reccommend a dose as too much can have a laxative effect!

[Denial Dave]

I had 111 PLM's during my sleep study in August.

So far after 90 days of CPAP treatment, my wife say's that Periodic Limb movement is gone!!

My understanding is that my PLM's may have been triggered by my sleep breathing obstructions.

[ChicagoGranny]

How many of the questions below are true for you?

When you sit or lie down, do you have a strong desire to move your legs?
Does your desire to move your legs feel impossible to resist?
Have you ever used the words unpleasant, creepy crawly, creeping, itching, pulling, or tugging to describe your symptoms to others?
Does your desire to move often occur when you are resting or sitting still?
Does moving your legs make you feel better?
Do you complain of these symptoms more at night?
Do you keep your bed partner awake with the jerking movements of your legs?
Do your ever have involuntary leg movements while you are awake?
Are you tired or unable to concentrate during the day?
Do any of your family members have similar complaints?
Does a trip to the doctor only reveal that nothing is wrong and there is no physical cause for your discomfort?

If you answered "yes" to a majority of these questions, you may have RLS.

See: http://www.rls.org/page.aspx?pid=543