Some additions to the diagnosis. Anyone else?

[Someonesmother]

I have been to get the results of my sleep study today and apparently I have sleep apnea and restless legs syndrome. Hmmm news to me! I had no idea, I slept through the whole thing! hahah. So I wondered how common these two are along with autoimmune arthritis diseases? Apparently they will review me in 6 months to see how I am going and decode if they will do something then. Thank heavens I so didn't want to start anymore drugs or shell out for a cpap machine at this stage.

[earthwitch]

Most common cause of sleep apnoea I believe is being overweight (particularly fatty tissue around the neck area). Restless legs has a variety of causes, though I believe is also common in fibromyalgia. My dad had sleep apnoea and he had AS rather than RA, but he also had a very rigid ribcage from years of damage too, which would make it harder for him to breathe, so maybe that contributed too.

Bottom line is to ask your doctor what they think is causing it.

[Someonesmother in reply to earthwitch]

I am guessing being overweight for one he also seemed to think the AI disease plays a part. I am not too worried they aren't rushing to do anything so I guess it will just tick away in the background. I had no idea I had a problem so it can;t be too bad.

[Trulyfedup]

Hi, I too have restless legs syndrome, it's horrible. My doctor says it's cramps due to R/A..the hospitL put me on amatriptyline to relax the muscle...I still have bad nights but not so many. It is so annoying there is no way you can sleep...I also have muscle spasms all over the only way to get rid of them is to clench the muscles for 2/3 seconds....then it comes back a few mins later but amatriptyline seems to helped about 30%. Mary x

[Someonesmother in reply to Trulyfedup]

I must be so exhausted I have never noticed hahah My legs hurt so much it didn't even impact on my brain to think it was anything. I am on Lyrica for fibromyalgia so maybe that will do the trick. I start on Plaquenil in a couple of weeks so that will add to the mix.

[Trulyfedup in reply to Someonesmother]

Hi, I don't know these drugs..I only really know about MTX and infliximub as they are the ones I've been on...(having a rest at mom due to nasty side effects) but I hope they work for you...I go mad with the spasms...they keep me awake. So I understand how horrible it is...so fingers crossed for you..Mary x

[Someonesmother in reply to Trulyfedup]

Hi Mary, wow I must be really not with it I haven't noticed it at all. hahaha Sorry it is having such an impact on you. Lyrica is an anti-convulsant that they use for Fibro . I have only been on it a week and started a second daily dose it has knocked me around today I am hoping for better day tomorrow. Plaquenil or Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial they use for rheumatic conditions too. I will also start immuran in Dec it is an immunosuppressant.