Restless Leg Syndrome

[lvfrogs]

Does anyone on here have Restless Leg Syndrome and are they being treated for it? and could you please list your symptoms, what it feels like. I don't believe that I have it, but my doctor put me on Klonopin to see if that helps.  What I have our leg aches, ankle aches, basically all day long but they are worse after exercise and at night. They ache so much, they drive me crazy.  But I don't get that creepy crawly feeling everyone talks about.  She put me on the Klonopin last week and so far, it makes me fall asleep and stay asleep (that is good) but the aches don't go away, so am thinking, I really don't have RLS.  Just looking for some info before I go back to the doctor. Thank you!!

[lvfrogs]

buriedinfur,
Thank you for responding. I am taking Clonopin, which does seem to be helping but my cardio doc wants me to see a nuerologist to rule out spinal stenosis so I am in the process of getting an appt.  I have had CFS for over 4 years and I do ache all over, especially in the mornings but this was different and concentrated in my ankles. Kind of hard to explain. and thank you, I take magnesium already. Best of luck to you too and thank you for answering.
Colleen

[buriedinfur]

I take gabapentin (neurotonin) for the rls, migraines and for nerve stuff. It's also helpful for the fibro. The achey side of things, I'd think could be more of the cfs but maybe with it twitching and never really resting, I'd imagine it would be extra sore vrs the rest of your body.

Best of luck. Magnesium can also help.

[lvfrogs]

Dusty,
You are such a wealth of information, thank you for responding to my post.  I am not sure exactly why she chose Klonopin but it is working. I have been more tired than usual and I am sure it is from that. Also, if I don't set an alarm, I have been sleeping until 9 or 10am which I never do, so I know it is from the med. But I do need that sleep. Sort of a double edged sword.

I have not had an MRI so your memory is safe, lol. I will write down the names of those tests. I don't even have an appt. yet. She wants my cardio records first so I am working on that, then the appt, then time to get the referral so it will be a few weeks. I can live with that, now that I am sleeping.  I will let you know, thank you for caring. I hope that you are doing well but since we are all on this forum, we know we aren't completely healthy!!

Colleen

[dustybrown]

Hello,
Yes, that's exactly what I am saying about the Klonopins. They make me super drowsy. I do not take as many as my doctor originally prescribed because they make me intensely tired. I can't imagine having CFS as my primary symptom and being on Klonopins is what I am getting at, but perhaps I am wrong about that. I too take one pill at night to sleep with and it has been extremely helpful for insomnia. Usually doctors will try other medications for RLS than Klonopin, but perhaps there is a good reason why your doctor has chosen Klonopin.

Now since I do have spinal issues myself and nerve damage in my lumbar spine, I will tell you that leg aches can most certainly be caused from spinal stenosis, so your cardio doctor is smart for ruling this out for you. And yes, a Neurologist is a great choice in doctors for this if he or she performs and EMG or a nerve conduction test. I have the worst memory Colleen. I think you told me you had an MRI? But I can't remember now for the life of me. If so, they can pick up on degenerative disc issues and arthritis on an MRI, but they can't tell if you have nerve dysfunction or not unless they perform the other two tests I mentioned and the doctor to do it is a Neurologist. :)

Also, a Neurologist can diagnose Fibro, but it's more of a solid diagnosis when a Rheumatologist does it because they created the diagnostic criteria for Fibro. Despite this, in many ways the disease itself including CFS follows many neurological models. It is very typical though for Rheumatologist and Neurologist to work very closely together to treat their patients.

I hope all of this info helps and I apologize for the rambling. Keep us updated in your progress. Take care.
-Dusty

[lvfrogs]

Hi Dusty,
Why do you see a problem with the Klonopin and CFS? I think that is what you meant.  I take .5 at night and it definitely has helped me sleep, I sleep great, which is wonderful. I could never take 3 tablets like you did, lol. I would be on the floor sleeping....

Saw my cardio doc yesterday and he is sending me to a neurologist for possible spinal stenosis. I looked it up and it doesn't sound like it to me. My legs just ache, that is all they do. I think it is more fibro related maybe? Can a neurologist test for fibro?

Thanks for all your help, you really are a God send.

Colleen

[dustybrown]

Hello,
I am surprised that your doctor didn't put you on a Requip or Mirapex??? I see these meds used more commonly for RSL than Klonopin. But Klonopin is one of those "good for just about everything" meds. The only problem with it that I see for you is your CFS.

I take Klonopin for sleeping at night because of pain and irritable bladder syndrome. My doctor originally prescribed 3, .5mg tablets per day. Oh my, that was WAY too much for me even and my fatigue levels are not too bad. I almost fell asleep at the wheel on the way to work a few times. Needless to say, I had to cut back. I now only take 1, .5mg pill or no more than 2 per day- depending. But I can see how they could be VERY helpful to you. Just watch your dosages and you should be ok. If they make you too tired, have a talk with the doctor about the medications I mentioned above. Good luck.