REM Sleep - Never seem to get there...

Hi, I'm Maggie, and I am new to this posting board.

I have had 3 sleep tests, and in each test, even with my airway/breathing optimized, I have never gotten REM sleep!

I am taking Mirapex for Restless Legs Syndrome, and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, but my mother in law says I am still thrashing around plenty. I really would like to achieve some REM sleep. Any Ideas

Thanks,

Maggie

hi maggie, welcome aboard, you sound like me, the sleep doc diagnosed me with hypersomnia since i had very little rem during the polysomnogram, after a few googles i found out bypassing rem sleep can be attributed to that condition, i dunno if it can be treated though, you may have to follow up with your sleep doc and see what he says.

I too take Mirapex for PLMD. What is your dosage? My REM dramatically increased with treatment of the PLMD, but is still far below normal, I guess due to the REM dependent OSA. I have pervasive EDS. Have you had your limb movements tested while on the medication to see if they've improved? Also, has your Ferritin level been checked (appears to be a correlation in some cases)? I was treated 8 years without it being checked and now I find that sure enough, it's below the recommended 50, even though my CBC is normal. That's a good starting place.
Kathy

Hi, Thanks for the responses, and the welcomes!

The first two Polysomnograms I had I was not on the mirapex. It was the second test that showed the PLMD and RLS. He said I was a twitcher! the third test was done several years later, and I had taken my 1mg of Mirapex that night. I still showed no REM sleep. I was always able to take a nap on the head of a pin, anywhere, almost anytime... but I rarely if ever remembered dreaming. Once in a while I remember a dream, but just briefly, and very infrequently.

I know that aside from deep rest, many restorative things happen in REM sleep, as well as a few cognitive things? Not sure what exactly, but I'd sure like to get my share...!

Kathy, what is pervasive EDS? I haven't had a ferritin in many years, although once when I tried to donate blood they said my iron was too low. I take elemental Iron 65mg every evening, and maybe it has helped.

When looking back on my sleep test reports, I saw where It was suggested that I titre up on the Mirapex! Too bad that never happened!

Thanks for the info,

Maggie

EDS - just excessive daytime sleepiness.

I'm taking the iron 3 times a day and Vitamin C 1 time a day. Per the doc, the body needs Vit C to process the iron. If your routine test done at blood banks showed you were low on iron, then who knows how depleted your Ferritin (storage iron) is.

I was instructed to take the iron for 3 months then repeat the Ferritin level. If still low, they would investigate why, which would be a whole separate issue.

Best wishes.

Kathy

maggie:

maybe you should call your doc and get your dosage of mirapex increased?

yes, and i've heard from docs caution when using iron supplementation, not to do unless really necessary, need to take other vitamins, maybe C, to avoid depletion, etc.

Caroline