Bad Restless legs-does anyone else suffer?

kippers

I was refered to hospital approx 2 years ago as i was always tired. I had blood tests etc which were all normal and i was made to wear monitors on my feet for a few days. I was diagnosed with 'severe Restless legs' and told i'm not falling into a deep sleep as my legs are moving around in my sleep (my husband has commented to me it's like sleeping with a footballer).

The consultant told me that i could take sleeping tablets or take tablets used to treat 'parkinsons'...i didn't agree to either as i have children and occaisionally need to get up in the night and don't want to get addicted to sleeping tablets either, so i refused both and here i am more tired than ever.

Does anyone else suffer? If so how do you cope with the tiredness? Its got to the stage that 9 times out of 10 i go to bed with my girls at 7.30 and i am asleep before them.

I'd love to be able to chat to other sufferers.

kickstart_3

Yes i suffer from 'restless leg syndrome' but its a result of having a chronic illness. I take the tablets for Parkinsons , called co-beneldopa and they dont have any effect on your sleep. They dont make you drowsy or anything, but are mostly prescribed for restless legs.The only other option you could try which i find helps is to keep your legs as cool as possible. But really dont worry about the tablets as they dont knock you out !

kippers

Thanks for your reply....is there any side effects with the tablets? I've read that they can make you feel sick or give you headaches? Also, have the tablets helped?

stressedoutmum

I've suffered from this for years and its worse the week before my monthlys or when I am over-tired or up late. Sometimes I have to get up and walk about for a bit or try putting my feet on a cold floor. If my feet and legs get to hot its worse. My hubby does shift work and its no fun lying next to me when he has to be up at 4am so I doss downstairs. Ive not found anything yet to help it but you're not alone. I

kickstart_3

kippers wrote: »

Thanks for your reply....is there any side effects with the tablets? I've read that they can make you feel sick or give you headaches? Also, have the tablets helped?

I dont suffer from any side effects , but everyone is different. Yes the tablets do control it and in the 3 yrs i have taken them i havent had to increase the dosage. At the end of the day it might be worth trying them for a couple of weeks to see how you get on ?

RoxieW

hi kippers - i have thi s and its awful . not sure what goes on when i sleep but i have that awful creeping sensation that builds in legs when awake and you just have to move them. this makes it impossible to sleep sometimes. contrary to others, i find that my legs feel worse when cold! but it does happen when i'm overtired. when i was pregnant it was especially bad and i'd often have to get up in the middle of the night to have a hot bath and calm my legs down!

noonesperfect

Yes I suffer sometimes too, it's awful. My Mum did too.

I usually have to get up and walk about or go on my stepper otherwise there's no chance of any sleep. It usually works.

My legs just seem to want to dance when all my head and body want to do is go to sleep.....

LilMissEmmylou

ive never heard of this before but you know what it totally hits on the head of my legs! they get fidgety and i get really restless and agitated because of it! madness, i didnt think there was a name for it - just thought i was a bit odd lol

joella

I suffer from this as well and I was percribed quinine sulphate tablets by doctor, my Mum also has the same problem also perscribed the same tablets, they work for me within about 20 mins of taking them and I only take them when I feel it starting which is about 14 days out if the month, mine usually start around 9pm or if I have been sat for a long time, also when on an airplane. Drive you mad dont they ?

Sola

I've had this too for years but haven't sought medical help as I don't want any more medication; I assumed it's linked to the slipped discs in my back. I just wander the house till it eases. Yesterday morning I got to sleep at 3am ...

seven-day-weekend

I have had RLS for about thirty years, I don't take any medication although they keep me awake most nights. They ususally start around 9-10 pm if I'm sitting or lying down and can go on until 4 am. Keeping my legs cool helps. Also if I have too little or too much exercise it can make themm worse.

I've found not drinking caffeine from around 2 pm helps a lot. Also smoking is supposed to make them worse (I don't smoke anyway).

Some prescription drugs such as antidepressants and blood pressure tablets can make them worse too.

We sleep in separate beds otherwise my poor husband would get no sleep whatsoever.

To the OP - sleeping tablets I actually found were a disaster as they made me even more sleepy than normal but had no effect on my RLS which was still keeping me awake. I don't think this is at all the right treatment.