Another question...

Anyone have RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)? I'm not sure if I have it per-say, but wow, my left leg gets so "antsy" where I have to move it every few seconds, especially at nigh****ching TV and especially when I go to bed. Drives me totally INSANE sometimes! I have been using a heating pad when I go to bed and that has really alleviated it quite a bit..at least enough to fall asleep, but last night even that didn't help. Does anyone know what causes it? I have low iron, and wondering if that could be a cause. Don't want to go on a med for RLS...just trying to stay away from having to go on anything new. Any thoughts? Any great natural "cures?" Love, "Sleepless in Prudenville"

I've had really low iron, but no rls Theresa. I guess I am not much help, but maybe try the soap under the sheets trick that is suppossed to work for leg cramps, maybe it will work for that too! Put a bar of soap, can't remember what brand, but maybe someone else on here does, under your sheet by your legs. It is known to cure leg cramps. Cant hurt to try. Wendy

Dear Sleepless (lol), Actually when I received my sleep study results they diagnosed me with RLS. I had no idea that I had it. Told me to see my Dr regarding it and perhaps take meds. My appt isn't until next tuesday. I have no idea what causes it or what you could do to cure it, but I will definitely be asking my Dr (for my own info as well) so I will let you know what he says. Sorry I am not much help at the moment. ~~Rona

Theresa, I have RLS as well. I have heard of a med. to help it. There is a comercial running these days on it. Is it "REQUIP"? NOt sure. It stinks doesn't it. That, along with my Raynaid's syndrome, which causes my fingers and toes to go numb, makes life stink!! Good luck sweetie. Susan

Theresa, I have RLS, severe in my sleep studies way before WLS. At first he thought it might be due to my low ferritin level. Ferritin is the iron storage protein. I took Iron for about six months and got the Ferritin level above 100 mg/l but the RLS didn't disappear. I was put on a med, MIRAPEX it does wonders. I had more that 70 leg movements an hour on my first sleep studies. None on the last study. There are two meds that are approved for RLS: MIRAPEX and REQUIP. Most of the sleep docs want the ferritin levels to be above 100 some even more. Some of the non-medication tricks might be: taking a bath, massaging the legs, excercising, applying heat or ice packs, eliminating caffeine. http://www.talkaboutsleep.com/rls-plmd/ Also the WE MOVE website: http://www.wemove.org/rls/ Jeanne

I am an expert in the field jk. I have had this for years and it has gotten increasingly worse over the past few. I am up nights on end with this and it can drive you crazy. I think if they could give this to people to torture them into talking after a couple weeks straight with this and no sleep they would be singing like birds. I notice that avoiding caffeine is helpful. When my iron is low the rls is worse for me although in my case it doesn't completely go away when my iron is good but for a lot of people it does. Increasing your potassium can help. I take hot baths(as hot as I can stand it) and then sometimes run cold water(as cold as it will get) on my legs and in the winter I go stand in the snow for a few minutes. The change in temperature seems to help. Sometimes I punch/slap my legs. I have also used a rolling pin and rolled it up and down my legs. I could go on and on. Oh and by the way soap in the bed and mustard don't work no matter how many people on the internet say it does lol. Another thing, any narcotic will work. I found that out after a root canal but it isn't a thing you want to do long term either. Hope this helps. Holly W

I just wanted to add that I have tried several meds for this. I am currently on Mirapex and it does lessen the symptoms for me and I can sleep most nights but doesn't completely get rid of it for me. I am still up with it a couple times a week. There are only a few things I have taken that make it go away completely but since they are narcotics it's nearly impossible to get a hold of them without getting a root canal and also they are addictive and so not so good to be on for long periods of time. Holly W

Holly, I am the same way, when my iron is low the RLS is worse. It drove me crazy the two nights I was in the hospital after my surgery and couldn't take the Mirapex. That was the first thing I asked when they said I could go home, when can I start the Mirapex. Sometimes the narcotics can make it worse. I also find that I sometimes need to take the Mirapex earlier in the evening. Jeanne

Thanks for all your input everyone!!! Theresa