Apnea is under control, but now have RLS

[jacob006a]

Just finished a Dr visit to get results of last sleep study. My apnea is under control, since lowering the pressure to 10, I can sleep with my mask on. Even though the study shows I have minimal apnea, my pop and I felt it best to keep using my machine.

The new study showed RLS which the first study did not show at all.

Hopefully when that gets under control things will stabilize for me.

[avi123]

You did not ask any question. Is your post an announcement?

[Pugsy]

The forum is not limited to questions only.

[avi123]

The forum is not limited to questions only.

So why don't you comment on the post befitting a self appointed moderator?

[Pugsy]

So why don't you comment on the post befitting a self appointed moderator?

Because I have no experience with RLS at all.
But I do have experience with grumpy old men and I am not in the best of moods tonight and you were irritating me more than usual tonight with your bullying.
So I decided to point out that someone doesn't have to pose a question on the forum to create post. The OP here is new and I didn't want him to think that he did something he shouldn't have done or get his feelings hurt by rudeness and leave the forum.
I assume that later people who do have RLS will likely chime in with with their experiences and thoughts.

[Starlette]

Just finished a Dr visit to get results of last sleep study. My apnea is under control, since lowering the pressure to 10, I can sleep with my mask on. Even though the study shows I have minimal apnea, my pop and I felt it best to keep using my machine.

The new study showed RLS which the first study did not show at all.

Hopefully when that gets under control things will stabilize for me.

Hi Jacob.

You and Pops are correct, and everyone on the forum will agree. Always where your xpap, this also includes naps. Whether you have RLS or not.
Sorry you're dealing with OSA and RLS. It's hell to deal with and I'm talking from experience, so I can definitely empathise (sp???). I'm not sure what you mean by "Hopefully, when that gets under control things will stabilize for me." If you're talking about RLS stabilizing, it won't. You may want to do a search on the forum on RLS or Restless Leg Syndrome to see what others have said about it. Some folks deal with RLS with prescription drugs, my Mom does. I've chosen not to. This may be something you may what to discuss with your doctor. Also, RLS is hereditary. One my side of the family, Mom, sister and I have it, along with relatives on Mom's side of the family.

I've had mine since the age of 17 located on the right side of my abdomen. It comes and goes, horrible nightmare at bedtime. What I've done for mine when it REALLY gets bad is when I go to bed, get my bed pillow (like the ones used to sit up to read.) and fall asleep sitting up. Yes, with my mask on. During the night, I slither down the pillow till I'm parallel to my bed. In all these years, I've NEVER woken up sitting up. This is the only thing that has worked for me all these years. The only time I do use a prescription drugs for RLS in when I have a breast MRI. Talk about sheer torture!!! I have no way relieve it. I'm lying my stomach and I have my hands above my head for about 45 minutes and I can't move. To make matters worse, I can't rub my abdomen at the onset of RLS. This last time, they ordered Lorazepam 0.5 mg (Generic for Ativan). I take it 1 hour before the appointment, I'm somewhere between dopey and VERY relaxed to the point that I'm somewhat not thinking about the RLS and get through the exam. Of course, hubby drives me to the appointment, I cannot. That's the only way I can get through it. Also, I'm VERY, VERY particular what pants I wear to the appointment so as not to aggravate it.

Just a thought: I've heard several times that those who deal with RLS don't have enough magnesium *shrugs*

Starlette

[kteague]

Were you on a machine for the study that showed RLS? Do you have a copy of your report? Interested in exactly what the reports says about it. Does it say anything about PLMD? It's not unusual for those who have their OSA treated while having underlying PLMD, it can show up in the titration study.

Whether RLS or PLMD or both, it wouldn't hurt to have iron studies done, particularly your ferritin level. It is usually recommended to keep the ferritin level at least above 50 for those with these disorders. Adequate nutritional support all round is good. I take magnesium, some have mentioned the B Vitamins. Also, evaluate any meds you might be taking to be sure the RLS isn't a side effect. Some manage their symptoms without pharmaceuticals, others take the meds available. My main caution on that is to be sure your ferritin level is up before trying the dopamine agonists. Most of what I read these days says augmentation is more likely in patients who have low ferritin. Once I weaned off the dopamine agonists, the intensity of my movements decreased, and I've been able to manage my leg symptoms at night by using a TENS Unit before sleep. Don't suffer endlessly with leg issues if you can get more definitive info and have treatment options if it is shown that your legs are causing severe sleep disruption. Just having movementsnoted on astudy doesn't necessarily mean you need treatment. Look for arousal information associated with your movements.

[Starlette]

I don't wish to highjack this thread. Kteague, your post raises some questions. Hopefully, Jacob will learn also by my questions.

As a fellow RLS person, I have some questions related to your post:
1) Through my gynecology appointments, I know my iron has always been good. So, what is a ferritin level?
2) What is a TENS Unit?
3) Lastly, if you review data reports, do you see any correlation between your data and RLS? If so, how?

Starlette

[Dormejo]

I too have RLS, at night it bothers my husband more than me as I'm asleep.
However I find it difficult to relax on the couch at night without my legs wanting to bounce all over the place it's frustrating more than painful, which is a good thing.

I am also new to CPAP and interested to see if any changes occur over the next few weeks in my RLS.
A nurse once told me to put a cake of soap near the end of the bed under the bottom sheet to reduce the RLS however I never really gave that a go....worth a try...it's free.

As RLS is different for a lot of people it's hard to pin point what would work and what won't. I beleive there is medication avail to assist, this may be an option if it is keeping you from a good nights sleep.

[jacob006a]

Well, the RLS is new to me. The study mentions plmd, but talks more about RLS, I have had all the tests and need more calcium and b12, everything else is good. It could also be that my dopamine is out of control again, I am sending a copy to my Parkinson's dr.

I take d3, potassium, magnesium, multi vitiman, garlic, fish oil, sinemet, Mirapex, cymbalta, Sigulair, symbicort, and restasis on a daily basis.

I am going to see what the neurologist says once they see the study.

My wife says I am quite active most nights. I did get six hours of uninterrupted sleep, but left the data card in my pc, so no data on the s9.

[pats]

The new study showed RLS which the first study did not show at all.

RLS has a number of known treatable causes. Your primary doctor should order blood tests to see if any of them apply to you. There are, unfortunately, some cases, including mine, that have no known cause.

[Panchali]

My sleep doctor suggested my family dr do a blood test and check my Feiritin levels. I thought that my constant leg pain and shaking was contributing to my waking in the night as well as my apnea.

[jacob006a]

My ferritin is at 66, which is good. I had to have blood drawn last month for a surgical procedure and at the request of my neurologist, everything was good, except need to kick up the b12 and calcium.

I am supposed to have surgery on my left elbow in September which will require more blood tests, which my PCP normally orders, so we can check them again.

As far as the sleep apnea, when I got to the clinic they said I shouldn't have used my cpap for three days prior to the test. I made the appointment a day before the test and no one mentioned anything about the three day thing. Heard something that the Parkinson's medication could have tightened up the muscles in my airways, alleviating the sleep apnea? "I have to take that one with a grain of salt. I can' t find anything on the web that confirms that statement.

My journey into all this started with my left thumb and finger going numb at work four years ago. I have learned much since then, but there is so much I don't know. The kicker is my left thumb and index finger are still numb.

I am glad to be a part of this website, you made sure I got an S9 - Elite vs the brick they gave me and there is so much good here, you all are really supportive and understand sleep apnea and are willing to share.

Thanks

[kteague]

Well, the RLS is new to me. The study mentions plmd, but talks more about RLS...

Do you have the study that you could quote what it said here? Also, what did it say about how many of your PLM type movements caused arousal? That's great that your ferritin level is good. One less thing to be concerned with. If you're on Parkinson's meds, there's always a possibility that your meds are exacerbating your movements. Augmentation can happen at higher doses. I have no idea how one handles that when the meds are needed for something besides the leg movements during sleep. I did find that lowering my dose was counter-intuitive, but actually helped my legs at night. You case is likely totally different.

[kteague]

I don't wish to highjack this thread. Kteague, your post raises some questions. Hopefully, Jacob will learn also by my questions.
As a fellow RLS person, I have some questions related to your post:
1) Through my gynecology appointments, I know my iron has always been good. So, what is a ferritin level?
2) What is a TENS Unit?
3) Lastly, if you review data reports, do you see any correlation between your data and RLS? If so, how?
Starlette

1) For lack of a technical understanding, I'll just say I've read that the ferritin measures storage iron. One can have a normal routine H & H but still have low storage iron. Hopefully someone else who is better informed on this will chime in.
2) Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is the use of electric current produced by a device to stimulate the nerves for therapeutic purposes. TENS by definition covers the complete range of transcutaneously applied currents used for nerve excitation although the term is often used with a more restrictive intent, namely to describe the kind of pulses produced by portable stimulators used to treat pain.[1][page needed] The unit is usually connected to the skin using two or more electrodes. A typical battery-operated TENS unit is able to modulate pulse width, frequency and intensity. Generally TENS is applied at high frequency (>50 Hz) with an intensity below motor contraction (sensory intensity) or low frequency (<10 Hz) with an intensity that produces motor contraction.[2] The benefit of TENS for pain is controversial. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcutan ... timulation
3) My OSA data was consistently good even when my legs gave me absolutely horrid nights.