Lifetime with RLS

Decades of aches and pains

My RLS started when I was about 5 and I'm 66 now. My pediatrician thought my aches were growing pains, and I was finally given the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome (RLS) when I was in my 40s.

My RLS feels like aches and pains, mostly in my arms and legs. It can be in both legs, a single leg, or sections of a leg. I don't have tingling sensations or creepy crawly feelings. I have just a throbbing, aching pain. When it first started, the pains were primarily in my legs and were only occurring at night, but now it's spread into my arms and it can be any time of the day or night.

It was a miracle for me

I've tried every type of medication or alternative treatment to deal with it like a weighted blanket, compression socks, sitting in hot water, massaging my legs and arms, or taking supplements. The only thing that worked for me without any side effects or addiction was oxycodone. It was a miracle for me. Because I only took the medication when the pain started I never got addicted to it.

Back to living a nightmare

With the issues surrounding opioids over the last few years, my medicine was taken away from me by my primary care doctor. It has made my life go back to being a nightmare. It will make you have suicidal thoughts just to stop the madness. Only those of us that go through this understand it.

If you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts, there are resources available for support, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-8255) and online chat.

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