Is there such a thing as restless body syndrome?

[murielsett]

For the past year or so I have found it almost impossible to get sleep at night no matter what I do. I get in bed usually quite tired and right away it starts. First a tightness and tingling in my legs that makes me want to stretch them; then everywhere in my body; my arms, my shoulders, my back, it's almost like there is something forcing me to move all my muscles and and it continuous. I've not been to a doc for this because it's so hard to describe. I don't even know what kind of doc to see. All I know is I feel like I'm coming out of my skin with this and most nights don't get to sleep until 4 or 5 or not at all in the morning. I'm exhausted and today for the first time in a long time i found myself napping in my lounge chair. It was heavenly. I definitely need help. I've heard of restless syndrome but I've never heard of restless body syndrome. What causes it? How do I get some relief? I take lorazapam to help me sleep and also trazedone and even that combination isn't helping much. I need sleep just like most other people; but I don't know how to go about getting it anymore. I used to be a great sleeper. What has happened to me. by the way I am a 72 year old married woman.

[Hidden]

I had restless legs my whole life until a few years ago when my back and arms joined in the fun! It seems RLS can get worse and pollute the whole body - when things are bad I am flailing around like a puppet being jerked around on a string. It is terribly painful and debilitating but thankfully drugs are keeping it at bay.

So yes it can become whole body restlessness

Have you had a change in drugs recently? If the Trazadone is new it could be the culprit!

[Madlegs1 in reply to Hidden]

Lorezapam seems to have an effect on some people in rls (as in making it worse)

I don't know about the trazadone , but a lot of medications can affect rls. See the list on rlshelp.org or rlsuk .

Sleeping pills are a two edged sword as they can be addictive or cause rebound insomnia.

I do hope you find some help soon - it's an awful affliction to be experiencing.

[murielsett in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you Madlegs1..Just knowing there are others out there who also suffers from this helps me. I will check the lists you mention after I have a cup of weak coffee.-

[murielsett in reply to Madlegs1]

Thank you for your reply. I have cut back on the lorazapam and trazadone and I have tried taking flexeril (for my bad back) and I don't know if it's coincidence or not but I've slept better since I've done these things. I'll have to see if it continues.

[murielsett in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your feedback raffs. I haven't really had a change in medications lately. I did skip the Trazadone last night but I still only slept one hour. I do take a lot of medication; but nothing new. Thank you for your feed back. It is so greatly appreciated to know that I am not the only one to experience this miserable situation.

[Hidden in reply to murielsett]

There alot of meds that can make RLS worse so check out the websites that Madlegs has recommended. rlshelp.org and rls.org RLS is progressive. But there are medications which can help to give relief. Alot of people suffer with all over body RLS.

[murielsett in reply to Hidden]

I have cut back on the lorazapam and Trazadone and am hoping that helps. I have had two good nights sleep since I cut back from two and night of each to one of each at night. Thanks for your suggestions.

[gypsy49]

I've always said it should be called RMS = Restless Muscle Syndrome rather than RLS seeing in most people it affect most of the body like you I get it everywhere too and spend many a nights jiggling about .

[murielsett in reply to gypsy49]

Yep, RMS is what it should be called. I wonder if the flexeril I started taking at bedtime could be the reason I'm falling asleep easier. Wouldn't that be a great fix. Maybe too good to be true but it is a muscle relaxer. I'll keep taking it and see what happens.

[Vonnies_girl]

Simply, yes.

[senileandinsane]

Yes, Restless Leg Syndrome is a poor name for this condition as it affects way more! I've had it in most places, my hips and spine being really awkward, I looked like a contortionist stretching, bending. Flexing and rolling all round the bed .. I'm single and to behonest, I'm not surprised lol

[NGCT]

I have had a condition in my abdomen that when I lie down to go to sleep it makes me feel like I need to pee. But I get up and try to go and I don’t need to! I went to every kind of urologist (urogynecologist, neurourologist, etc.) with no diagnosis. Then I stumbled on a one page report from some doctors in Italy who treated people with identical symptoms and theorized that it was RLS in the abdomen! I took it to my main doctor and started on Lyrica which helped a lot. For days it doesn’t entirely help, I put a weighted blanket across it and it mostly solves it. The weighted blanket might be something to try. They are made for people with various problems especially anxiety. I hope you find something helpful soon!!

[Rosieme]

I’m having the same problem. I be.ieve it’s down to me starting taking Amitriptyline a fe2 days ago.every evening is getting worse, I can ‘t even think about going to bed, there’s no chance of sleep. I want to stop tak8ng it, but if I do, I’ll have nothing for the neuropathic pain.

A few minutes ago I was lying on my sofa, one leg over the back, one arm on the floor, the other stretched backwards, I then rolled onto the floor.

This isn’t helpful for a 66 yr old disabled woman!

[Hidden in reply to Rosieme]

Hi Rosieme, it will be the Amitriptyline that is making your RLS worse, there must be something else you can take for the neuropathic pain.

[Lips2]

I have this same problem. My whole body starts to get cramplike especially upper back and neck and legs. Its is terrible. I am41 years old. I used to be on trazodone for sleep but need to see the doctor for anymore prescriptions and have no insurance. If you figure anything out, I'd be interested.

[dimpep]

It's called Restless Limbs syndrome at that level and it's quite common to many of us in here