MRI SCAN CAUSING BAD RLS

[Joolsg]

I had my yearly MRI scan today for checking my MS deterioration (or hopefully lack of it) and while in the scan I worried that the total moving around of all my brain atoms was bound to trigger an RLS reaction.

I've had about 14 nights free of RLS now I've upped the evening dose of oxycontin and all was going well. My suspicions were right and the MRI has fried my brain atoms. Since lying down to sleep first my right big toe experienced the sharp stabbing pain- as though from a big thick sharp needle several times and then sure enough, less than 5 mins later the right leg kicked off. Walked round the room, did some cleaning and put some laundry away and when I tried to lie down again, the left leg kicked off. I've just taken a solpadeine max ( codeine & paracetemol) and will walk and stretch a bit more then watch some catch up episodes of Outlander on Amazon.

Anyone else experience bad RLS after an MRI scan? Thankfully I only have one a year!

Take care fellow RLSers

Jools

waht.nhs.uk/Global/ImageBan...

[LoisTonya]

I found no change in my rls after MRI scan. Rls is so inconsistent. Frequently I think I've found something that improves or worsens the condition but it changes again

[Madlegs1 in reply to LoisTonya]

Stress?😢

[Joolsg in reply to Madlegs1]

Very possibly . Legs are playing up again now so maybe it's just a flare up and the normal drugs are not doing as well as they have for last 2 weeks. I'll just have to find a new series to binge watch and sleep from 6- noon tomorrow.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Joolsg]

Sorry to hear that-- keep strong.

I suppose you've tried all the usual short term aids.?

Magnesium orally, magnesium oil rub , iron , massage - I use an electric " thumper" , various leg stretches.

Sometimes I find paracetamol (500) allows me to get to sleep- even though it's not supposed to be effective for rls.

All the best.

[Joolsg in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks Madlegs-Yep, I've been popping magnesium through the night & still use iron bisglycinate at night. Been doing all the stretch exercises as well & taking solpadeine max ( paracetemol & codeine) during night. Will look into the electric thumper massager.

Clearly a bad flare up. I actually think it's similar to MS in that way. For no reason you suddenly hit a patch of bad nights despite taking the same drugs & not eating or drinking anything that might be a trigger. At least I hope that's right as I hate to think the oxycontin & pregabalin have stopped working .

Onwards & upwards....

[Hidden in reply to Joolsg]

I'm with you on this. I find myself dreading to go to bed too early-it just means a longer night. Sometimes I stay up binging on my DVD's usually something British. Love the Britcoms, Downton Abbey, Masterpiece mysyery and many others some very old. Even the settings are soothing to me-English country houses Miss Marple's village. Then when it's light outside I can finally get a few hours of early morning sleep. Also, fortunate to be retired and can take a nap later. At least it's a way to somewhat keep up with sleep. It's not very pleasant or funny but at least I get things done during the night, cooking food in batches to freeze, cleaning. It helps that these activities keep me moving. We do what we have to do!

[Joolsg in reply to Hidden]

Haha. I binge watch US series like House of Cards, American Gods and Big Little lies. But I do get lots of cleaning and ironing done at night.

[Hidden in reply to Joolsg]

Maybe we're onto something. Could we patent it and make some money? (LOL)

[Joolsg in reply to Hidden]

Yep or set up a night time ironing service

[Pippins2 in reply to Joolsg]

Maybe I could post a couple of bin bags full of clothes that need ironing to your house ? ( just to help YOU out of course! ) x

[Joolsg in reply to Pippins2]

Brilliant idea Pipps!

[Hidden in reply to Pippins2]

You can be our first Customer. As our first you are entitled to a discount (lol)

[Retren]

I took tramadol before I had one.Every day or night though is a continuing state.

[Joolsg in reply to Retren]

It's a horrible disease- no respite without drugs. Last night was a little better but at least I got all the washing and ironing done by 6am this morning.

[Hidden in reply to Joolsg]

Yes, who will not agree with you but you still have your good sense of humor. I am not on this site often but I see I can learn a lot from each one and I am so grateful for that. Thanks to all for caring enough to try helping with your experiences.

I went not long ago to a neurologist and I was told that she treats RLS when I asked before making an appointment. When I was there, she did not seem to know anything about RLS, she was just guessing and told me to go on a lesser dose of Lyrica after I told her so.

This week I am going back to tell her why now and then I have horrible nights and what to do on these nights when I don't know what to do with myself. Probably she does not know better than me.

So my point here is if a neurologist does not specialize in RLS, don't go, he cannot really help you. Now I look first on the internet before going to see them. Enjoy the rest of the day Jools and thanks for sharing.

[Joolsg in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Alia. You are absolutely right- we become more expert than the neurologists.

Take care

[Jumpylegs66]

Hi Jools...what type of drug is OxyContin? I really feel for you....as if MS isn’t bad enough but to have RLS as well...unbearable. I keep writin replies to you but then don’t see them on here...no idea if you got my last post. If not...I was saying that as I’ve had RLS for more than 40 years and at 66 it’s just getting worse, I can’t imagine I will ever be meds free. So I was just wondering about the type of drug OxyContin is and whether docsin UK will subscribe without a fight! Thanks for all your posts....you keep me motivated to fight on ...kindest regards....Chris ( Jumpy legs)!

[Joolsg in reply to Jumpylegs66]

Hi Chris,

OxyContin is an opioid and here in UK is a controlled drug which means you can’t get it on electronic prescription, you have to sign the prescription form twice and you can only get it for 8 weeks at a time before requesting another prescription. It’s stronger than morphine but has similar side effects.

I had a fight to get it but my MS neurologist was very helpful abd wrote to my GP.

If you print off one of my previous posts about Opioids, the info from RLS experts on opioids may help persuade your doctor.

By the way, I can assure you that MS is not nearly as bad as severe RLS ( and I say that as someone with highly aggressive MS ).

RLS should definitely be classed as a disability and treated as if it were Parkinsons or MS. I accept there are some who have very mild RLS and my statement only applies to those with severe, progressive RLS ( which is the majority on here).

Good luck persuading your doctor to prescribe opioids. They are increasingly becoming first line options for neurologists to avoid the problem of Augmentation.

Jools

[Jumpylegs66]

Hey...that went through!

[Mattly]

Interesting. Sorry to hear it worsened your RLS. I had an MRI on both my ankles yesterday. I was worried beforehand that my RLS would be bound to kick in during the 2 hours the scan took. But I was gloriously RLS free throughout, despite taking no medication. And that carried on for the rest of the day and night. I feel slight RLS twinges now, but less than normal. I didn't have my head near the magnets, so I don't think that was a factor, but I wondered if the vibrations from the loud noises might have effected my nerves and muscles in a beneficial way.

[Joolsg in reply to Mattly]

I’m glad to hear it Mattly. Hope the ankles are okay.

[Scoobydoo2020]

I have had a problem with MRIs triggering my restless legs as well. I was also wondering if anyone else has had that problem. Thanks for bringing that up! My RLS occurs very infrequently and very randomly but I recently had 2 separate MRIs and both instances made my legs go crazy, crawling feeling behind my knees, could not keep my legs still...

[RLSsucks666 in reply to Scoobydoo2020]

I just had a MRI with contrast yesterday and am in extreme RLS response. It was only my head that was scanned, so it shouldn’t be from the MRI. I think the contrast caused it.