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Restless Leg Syndrome

T

TheodoreRoosevelt

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Joined
Mar 21, 2006
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People always badger me and ask me if I got RLS or that I should take Effexor/drugs for RLS. Recently a doc diagnosed me with RLS, along with severe chronic insomnia (although didnt prescribe anything, just recommended me to a sleep specialist - thanks alot asshole).

Just wondering what you people think this is, what exactly is it, and what relationship it has to insomnia.

I've also heard a few stories of "my friend had RLS and got some medication for it and it totally changed his life!"

part of me says bullshit, this has gotta be a joke. another part sees the correlation between that and insomnia, since my insomnia does come from a pretty deep restlessness i have about myself. I'm not a nervous person, I'm not jumpy at all or anything. I just bounce my legs and stay up much longer and later then most people, even if I get barely any sleep night before.
 
I use to do what you described, and it is real. I feel that the actual diagnosis is a stretch though(a $pecific market if you will), and really just a symptom of anxiety, or a common way you channel/express it.

Seeing a psych for 'general' anxiety should relieve your RLS, and do it with out feeding that sort of drug market.
 
I have RLS and I have known for years that it is worst when I am tired.

I also have it in my shoulders as well which is really annoying.

Provided I am well slept then i am OK.

I am currently on a course of Wellbutrin or Zyban here in Aus and it is causing me huge problems with sleep and as a consequence RLS.

I hate it with a passion but such is life
 
Wait a minute.... so is RLS *causing* the bout of insomnia that I seem to be starting; or is it just another symptom of whatever's causing the insomnia?

I could give a fuck about (and certainly don't plan to take any drugs for) my bouncing leg... unless *that* is what is keeping me up (I'd certianly like to have a good night's sleep.


cya,
john
 
I think that restlessness causes both insomnia and RLS.

But taking drugs specifically for RLS, and not restlessness, seems really silly to me. Some people make out RLS like its cancer or something and get freaked out by you boucning your leg like its a visible tumor ;/

I don't think I have anxiety though. Then again, what is anxiety?

Where you're all paranoid and feel uncomfortable and avoid people? I can't say im the most social cat around but I'm definitely personable and go talk to people if I want to. But yea, pretty sure i dont have anxiety...
 
If the RLS is bad enough that it is preventing you from sleeping, I would think it would be worth trying at least one of the (relatively) new RLS meds, Requip etc. If it's not that bad and you don't mind it, I wouldn't bother. It would make sense that RLS itself would give you some insomnia, it is hard to sleep when you can't keep your legs still! Although it is extremely common during opiate withdrawal (acute), there are rare cases where it extends much longer than the actual physical w/drawal. If this is the cause, Requip is less likely to help.

I'm not sure what I think about anxiety anymore. Everyone has it at some time and deals with it without drugs. There are just soooo many people, especially around here, claiming to have debilitating anxiety, where they need a benzo daily. I do believe there are people that have it so bad that this is true. The occurrences here just seem to be too frequent and I wonder if it's more related to pot or other drugs of abuse and could be controlled by stopping or altering the drug causing the problems.

I'm not saying people don't have serious anxiety at all, it just seems really over diagnosed and people seem to have no tolerance for dealing with changes in their mood.
 
^ I hear what you are saying, and anxiety can be a label thrown around a lot. Anxiety can be an issue for anyone to a certain degree, and expressed different forms/ways. People may be quick tempered, have muscle spasms/headaches, or have symptoms like an eating disorder from anxiety.

So seeing a psych for 'anxiety' or gaining more insight of your self, and what daily stresses have the most effect on your life, mind, and conscience(past&present). And then manage how you much you let out/in side stress have influence of your life. Find new mental, physical, creative outlets that relate, and Id bet you can beat RLS.

Edit: and insomnia
 
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You mean magnesium? A doctor aint gotta prescribe that its a vitamin.

Also RLS aint just like a bouncy leg. its disctinct feelings thats hard to explain. like if your muscles had anxiety.
 
lacey k said:
Also RLS aint just like a bouncy leg. its disctinct feelings thats hard to explain. like if your muscles had anxiety.
Click to expand...


yeah Im with you lacey, I dont get no bouncy legs.........christ yous make it sound like my legs are rubber balls or some shit.

I just get this feeling that i have to move them, its painful but its not.......its hard to ex[plain.

In my case there is definitely a correlation with being overly tired.

But the tiredness for me comes first and causes the legs and shoulders and shit.
 
I have pretty severe RLS. Until I saw the commercials for the new medications, I didn't know what was wrong with me. I have had it, coupled with severe insomnia, for years. It is real pain, and it just doesn't stop. I also kinda have bouncy leg, I have to be moving my legs when I'm sitting most of the time, it's just a subconscious thing, I don't notice myself, but other people have pointed it out to me. RLS sucks. Klonopin is an effective treatment for it. Too bad I don't have a script anymore.
 
Here is my theory:

RLS results from a lack of blood clearance from the veins of the foot and lower leg.

I have experienced symptoms of "RLS" for most of my life, and anecdotally I've found that elevating my legs always reduces the symptoms.

I believe there is a reflex action that forces you to move your legs as blood backs up against the venous valves. I think in some people this reflex action is exaggerated to the point where we feel "restless" and jumpy. Maybe it can be exacerbated by anxiety/boredom and contribute to insomnia. But in no way do I believe it is a standalone "disease."

For example, during the day time I will be sitting in a chair, bouncing my lower legs up and down rapidly. After I do it for a while, the feeling goes away. I believe this is due to blood pooling in the lower extremeties. Bouncing the legs is one way to force blood up the legs, a little at a time, through the reverse valves. Another way is to elevate them.

Either way, the symptoms seem to go away if I do these two things.

So, the whole "RLS" as a chronic condition seems to be overblown, IMO. Yet another example of drug companies making you think you have a disorder, and that you should buy their "treatment."

I would suggest getting exercise during the day, and don't let your BP get too low. Keep your leg muscles in shape, and if you have to, elevate your legs with a pillow at night.
 
For me it comes on when I'm really tired and sleepy, and then don't go to bed right away. It's a stupid reason to get medicated.
 
nickels said:
It's a stupid reason to get medicated.
Click to expand...
...:| :| :|

i smoke weed and go to bed and then i sleep
zzz

or i could go to bed, try to fall asleep, shake my leg, loose valuable hour of sleep that would accumulate over time, then i would become more and more depress, and then obviously i would kill myself...
rip

so tanks weed for all those years of strange happiness
 
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