Never Look Forward to the New Day
I am 91 years old and have had RLS for the past 10 years. I really dread the day, but I also dread going to bed because it is nothing to look forward to any longer. I try to stay up later every night after my usual dose of Ropinirole 1mg, and 0.5mg during the day, and I pray that maybe, just maybe, I will sleep until 7 AM, but RLS has a mind of its own and I am awake at 3-4 AM. I know the feeling of having to move constantly. I really do!! My arms and shoulders feel like a demon has taken over. Stretching sometimes works for a little while, walking around the house at 3 AM is no fun.
My family tries to understand, but unless you go through the feeling that something has taken over your life, I have given up trying to explain. If I don't take the pill before church, it is impossible to sit still, and I really think I will lose my mind until the service is over.
I am so tired!!! My body hurts in places I forgot I had. My eyes are tired from being on the computer to see if someone out there has found something to relieve this dreadful condition. I read somewhere that meditation was helpful, and I got a good laugh out of that. How can you clear your mind long enough to do that when you feel like your body is not your own and some nasty thing has taken over your senses? What will 92 in December bring on? Maybe someone will have an answer by then. Thank you for taking the time to read this.
I'm so sorry your having such a hard time. I have RLS to and only take 1mg of Ropinirole at bedtime but it wears off. My Dr did say they have an extended version that is stronger. I take Hylands Restful legs PM about 3AM every morning and it helps me to get back to sleep and control my RLS. I take Hylands Restful legs (regular daytime) in the afternoon to sit and read because it causes the RLS to get bad. Hylands is over the counter supplement and I've found it both on-line and at Walmart. It's the only thing that helps me and I don't want to increase my prescription. I hope this might help you. God Bless.
Hi
. Thanks for sharing what helps. I used Hyland's homeopathic products for my kids when they were young and teeth. They really did seem to help. It's always good to let your doctor know if you are planning to take a supplement or already taking one just to make sure it meshes well with medications. I am sure you already know that, but I want to put it out there for others who might read this. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
, I know that feeling for sure. I’ve never used vibration devices, but had many 3 a.m. walks when I felt I was coming out of my skin. I resorted to using medication after trying a lot of other things and mine is now mostly controlled. Keep the conversation with your doctor going and when the vibration doesn’t work, try something new. Sleeplessness is miserable, as is that horrid feeling restless legs produces in your body.
Best wishes, Kim (Team Member)I keep losing my post. I'm new to the site, so must be doing something wrong. Glaucoma makes it harder for me, so many typos etc.
It is reported that RLS is more common in Scandinavian countries, so in some cases it may be genetic, through one line of the family. Maybe the other members of the family managed to dodge a genetic 'bullet, and we didn't. Who knows. There may be several factors which could cause it. If they would do more research we might find more causes. , and better more targeted treatments. Ah well, it's 1am, and I'm symptom free, but unable sleep. Thankful for small mercies.It would be fantastic if researchers took more of an interest in RLS,
. Maybe research into other neurological health conditions, like Parkinson's Disease or MS, will someday accidentally lead to new RLS treatments, at the very least. I hope you get some sleep tonight. Warm wishes! - Lori (Team Member)
I felt really sad on reading your post. RLS is a cruel condition, and treatment is very random. Night times are a nightmare with pacing, flinging your arms around and sometimes having a shout of despair! I recognise it sll. I'm 73 and have had it for most of my life. Going to work was horrible, I couldn't focus or sit still. Life has been very difficult.
I have had Ropinerole. It worked at first but eventually it didn't. It isn't a first line treatment any longer. It causes augmentation, and makes the condition worse eventually. I now take a low dose opioid and I'm reducing the Ropinerole, you can't just stop it suddenly. What has helped at night is an iron supplement called Gentle Iron. You can get it on many sites, Amazon being one. I suggest trying it if you can. I take it every night at the same time with vitamin C. No tea or coffee an hour before, or after, and on an empty stomach if possible. If not then eat something small. It is absorbed better with vitamin c. Iron is often overlooked. It supplies the brain with iron and which is often lacking. My blood tests for iron were normal. But for RLS the criteria is different. So I decided to take it. I have found it helpful, although 1x20mg wasn't enough, so I take two. It has eliminated a good deal of night symptoms.
I wish you well and please keep in touch if you feel like it., I think a sleep specialist would be worth the investment. It sounds as though your meds need a bit of fine tuning and they can look at all sleep issues on the whole and help you deal with them. Best wishes! Let us know how it goes.
Kim (Team Member)Thank you Kim, I will do that.
