DOes anyone have restless leg syndrome, HELP

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 2:20 pm

I have what I call leg jerks. I'm laying in bed and out of the clear blue it just jerks. My husband who knows it usually happens after a day filled with too much sugar says Oh, you've been eating too much sugar again." I hate the feeling but notice when I eat better, I don't have it.

LKP · Post by **LKP** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:02 pm

Melatonin:

I also take 3 mg of Melatonin (over-the-counter) at night to help me get sleepy.

Please DON'T take melatonin before you go to bed. You need to take it 12 hours before you want to sleep! I recommend a consult with a sleep doctor/neurologist to help explain the effects.

RLS: Some deficiencies do make RLS worse, but cramping, etc., is more likely to be a deficiency than actual RLS. Someone mentioned potassium and B vitamins. Don't forget your calcium. Caffeine is a killer for both cramping and RLS. I have been taking Neurontin (gabapentin - used for all kinds of things at different doses) for years for RLS and it works wonders with no side effects (for me) and no addiction/tolerance issues. But if you have these kinds of sleep issues, I highly recommend getting a sleep study done to make sure you are identifying the right cause for the treatment you are prescribing for yourself. The physical symptoms of RLS are annoying when they are happening, but the effect of chronic sleep deprivation that RLS causes will keep you sleepy, with no energy or motivation for life. And you KNOW that doesn't go well with depression or anxiety! So if you think you have it, go get it diagnosed and treated properly so that you can get rid of a big factor in depression.
Artie

barbgavon · Post by **barbgavon** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 4:28 am

Hi Arti,

I take melatonin at the suggestion of my doc. I don't take it for RLS. For RLS he Rx'd Klonopin, which takes care of mine.

You don't say why you suggest not taking melatonin at bedtime, but my doc suggested taking it at bedtime to help me get to sleep.

I've had sleep issues my whole life (sleep walking, talking, etc.) and have been under a doctor's care for it for the last 15 years.

I was also a medical transcriptionist for 15 years (until November). I used to type sleep studies. They are to measure your oxygen saturation during sleep, and referrals are generally made for snoring. There are a number of treatments for that, including CPAP, adenoidectomy, etc., but I don't snore.

Best!

Gman5256 · Post by **Gman5256** » Wed Mar 28, 2007 1:39 am

About melatonin - my doctor told me that it takes 12 hours for melatonin to work in your system. Melatonin is a hormone we make and it is made in response to light - sunlight, daylight. You need enough of that to be able to sleep at NIGHT. Many of us have poor artificial light from being indoors all day, so we don't make enough of the hormone during the day to allow us to sleep at night. It is very possible that your doctor does not know this. Please don't take my word for it - do some looking around on line and see what you can find out. It would really be a bummer if your melatonin treatment was ADDING to your problem! I have found that my original problem leading to depression probably had more to do with being tired all the time than with any emotional issues. After a while, the depressive behaviors become a habit and like any other habit, VERY hard to break. But that's why we're here, right? LOL. I also have a CPAP and am hypothyroid - all factors for me.
Cheers!
Artie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 1:10 am

Hello,
Today is my first day. I too have been suffering from RLS for a few months. I believe that although my father has it and it is hereditary, I am having this due to stress and weight gain. As for over the counter I have been using Restful Legs by Hyland's in a little white bottle with a red label you can find it at HEB or Walmart. Get the ones that disolve under your tongue, they work, I have found that the capsules dont work well at all. I hope this helps, trust me I know it is horrible, feels like creepy crawlies and if you dont move your legs or get up you are going to go crazy, squirming all around. Trust me I know what you are going through! Let me know if I can help in any way.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 2:33 am

Haven't tryed any meds for this, not sure I have it, but do feel creepys in my body at times. Think its more to do with stress than anything for me. Glad to hear something works for you.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 3:59 pm

RLS is sooo aggravating! I find that Potassium, Calcium and Magnesium help. I used to take Quinine when it was over-the-counter, but it became prescription years ago. Someone here suggested asking the pharmacist for it, maybe it's just not on the shelf any more but still available. The Quinine was the best. Also, being dehydrated will bring on my RLS. I am determined not to take prescription for it unless it truly becomes unbearable, only because I am taking several other things, hate to add anything else! And so far these other things work OK for me. Hope this helps.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 6:55 am

I have RLS also, just another thing to add to my laundry list of issues! LOL
It's always worse at night when I'm trying to get to sleep.
I will ask my doctor about the Vitamin B issue and see what he says. Lack of sleep makes everything so much worse.

Thanks for sharing guys!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Sep 05, 2007 12:15 am

When I used to take certain meds I would get bad leg jumping or kicking. I used to punch myself in the legs to the point of brusing them. God I hated that. I still get it once in a while, but no where like it was with certain meds.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:01 pm

Hi there,

I don't have Restless Leg Syndrome but I have something similar--Periodic Limb Movement Disorder. The doctor said I could take anti-convulsants or anti-parkinsonian medications but I refused. So instead I often feel tired and like I haven't fully rested, which I haven't, because my limbs twitch hundreds of times per night, awakening me without my knowledge and interrupting my sleep.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.