RLS??? I am not sure
Question:
A friend of mine went to the sleep clinic here in Alabama, and he found out that he may have RLS. After reading up on this, I am not so sure. We know that he is incredibly deficient on REM sleep (cant stay awake during the day, and usually feels tired all day long) but wouldn’t RLS be noticed by his wife? They sleep in the same bed, and she hadn’t noticed anything unusual. Also I am trying to find out what should be prescribed for this. The doc gave him Clonazepan and Carbi/L-dopa. I am unsure as to the what these two drugs will do for him, and he doesn’t like to take drugs, so he is looking for a dietary change or suppliment that may help. Anyone know of the degrees of RLS? Prescriptions, etc…? Any help would be appreciated (and I already have some internet sites… but I was looking for a more personal perspective.)
Response:
Richard Trice wrote in message <7n6u9Qeq9GA…@pet.hiwaay.net>… >A friend of mine went to the sleep clinic here in Alabama, and he found out that >he may have RLS. After reading up on this, I am not so sure. We know that >he is incredibly deficient on REM sleep (cant stay awake during the day, and >usually feels tired all day long)
very typical for RLS but wouldn’t RLS be noticed by his wife? RLS doesn’t necessarily manifest itself except to the sufferer. If he told his wife of his suffering, or if she noticed him having to get up and walk around at night, unable to sleep, then perhaps she would be aware. >They sleep in the same bed, and she hadn’t noticed anything unusual. Also >I am trying to find out what should be prescribed for this. The doc gave him >Clonazepan and Carbi/L-dopa. I am unsure as to the what these two drugs >will do for him,
These drugs are routinely prescribed for RLS. and he doesn’t like to take drugs, so he is looking for >a dietary change
Some people are helped with potassium, eating a banana just before bedtime. Elimination of caffiene helps. Alcohol may make matters worse, as well. or suppliment that may help. Some people are helped by folic acid. Others take some herbal remedies involving valerian root. Anyone know of the degrees >of RLS?
Bad, worse and awfull! RLS worsens with age, usually, leading some into a never ending search for relief. Prescriptions, etc…? Klonopin, Sinemet, Permax, Mirapex, Vicodin, Darvocet, Neurontin, these are commonly prescribed. Any help would be appreciated (and I already >have some internet sites… but I was looking for a more personal
perspective.)
Response:
Richard Trice <tri…@HiWAAY.net> dijo a todos por la red: >A friend of mine went to the sleep clinic here in Alabama, and he found out that >he may have RLS. After reading up on this, I am not so sure. We know that >he is incredibly deficient on REM sleep (cant stay awake during the day, and >usually feels tired all day long) but wouldn’t RLS be noticed by his wife? >They sleep in the same bed, and she hadn’t noticed anything unusual. Also >I am trying to find out what should be prescribed for this. The doc gave him >Clonazepan and Carbi/L-dopa. I am unsure as to the what these two drugs >will do for him, and he doesn’t like to take drugs, so he is looking for >a dietary change or suppliment that may help. Anyone know of the degrees >of RLS? Prescriptions, etc…? Any help would be appreciated (and I already >have some internet sites… but I was looking for a more personal perspective.)
What is RLS? NOTICE: The e-mail address is deliberately incorrect. Make the ISP read "nwpacifica.net" by adding a "w."
Response:
RLS is the abbreviation for restless legs syndrome. The medication prescribed for your friend is part of what I’ve been taking for quite awhile. The Carbi L-dopa (sp?) is the generic name for Sinemet, which I have been taking for three years. Shortly thereafter, I started taking Ultram for the pain in my legs, which feels like it goes all the way into my bones. When I got too tolerant of the Sinemet, my sleep doctor referred me to a neurologist, who added Neurontin to the list, and my sleep improved greatly. However, the Sinemet causes the RLS to act up in the daytime, and it has now spread to my arms and hands. Consequently, the doctor prescribed Klonopin (Klonazepam) to ease that problem. That medication makes me so sleepy that I mostly just don’t take it in the daytime. Staying very, very busy helps more than anything else. Your e-mail said the sleep clinic advised your friend MAY have RLS. They should have been able to be more definite about that I think. From what I have read, they can almost diagnose you just by asking the right questions. Sounds to me like they may not have done a very thorough check on your friend. However, I’m no doctor; just wanted to share with you my symptoms and meds. I wish your friend good luck, but I don’t think he ought to be taking Sinemet unless they know definitely what his problem is. That is a med that is used for Parkinson’s Disease.
