Work

[Leelee49]

Hi all, just a quick question, for those of you that have jobs, are you managing to hold the job down on little or no sleep? I've been off work nearly 3 weeks now as my job involves walking around a lot and physical work, I just can't do it on little sleep, I feel like a zombie. I'm just worried I will end up losing my job at this rate.

[Hidden]

Ok, first of all, how the hell was this tagged as Down Syndrome (and only that)?! I'm not even going to go into how wrong that is!

I don't have a job and I know you're looking for advice from those with jobs, but may I offer some advice anyway? Have you considered medical leave? It would be the avenue to take if you want to save your job.

[Joolsg]

hi Leelee49,

What meds, if any, are you on? Have you had your serum ferritin checked? I f you can manage to control the RLS by finding out if there is a cause, or meds you can take, you might get some more sleep and manage to keep working. In the meantime, get to your GP & get a sick note until you can find a solution. There are meds that can control RLS- you just have to find the right ones.

jools

[Leelee49 in reply to Joolsg]

Hi jools, I'm only on gabapentin now 100mg as and when needed, tried tramadol , made me ill, was on roprinolol but that didn't agree either. The other thing is ive started with eczema aswell which is making my legs itch which keep me awake aswell, on my 2nd type of cream for that now to see if that clears up. I've not had the ferritin levels checked, will have to sort that.

[Leelee49 in reply to Leelee49]

Forgot to add, I'm already on a sick note, this will be my 3rd week, I just hate not been able to work. I've also just started taking blackstrap molasses, have a teaspoon twice a day, sometimes I don't get rls and I think, "yeah" I've cracked it, then reality hits and it's back with a vengeance 😪

[Joolsg in reply to Leelee49]

If you're not able to work, you really need to work out a treatment regime that will help you. Until you see your GP, try some gentle iron (ferrous bisglycinate) at night on an empty stomach- it's only 28mg so until you find out your serum ferritin level, it may help a little and isn't high enough to cause harm. Your serum ferritin level needs to be 75-100. Also try magnesium threonate at night. Use the internet to search for them as most chemists don't sell them.

Be careful with anti histamine meds as they can make RLS worse and avoid sugar,chocolate, alcohol as they are the usual triggers. Try hot baths at night and massage the legs. Do yoga/stretches as that all helps.

Discuss meds with your doctor. If tramadol didn't agree with you try codeine ( you can even buy solpadeine max at the chemist to see if it helps) or pregabalin.

Spend a few hours looking through the posts on here to see what helps others. There will be something that will work for you.

[DicCarlson in reply to Joolsg]

If Blackstrap Molasses is giving you some relief - you're a perfect candidate for iron supplementation - see above. It's how I discovered the "iron cure".

[Hidden]

I no longer work but when I did there were some adjustments made so I could get up and walk when the legs were at me, (many a time I spent pacing round the office).

When I was really exhausted, as opposed to normal exhausted, I would pop into the loo for a quick 10 min nap and would sleep during my breaks. It was very difficult when things are really bad so I can sympathise with you. Maybe sleeping pills say one every 3/4 nights to put you out and recoup some sleep might help?

Joolsg has given some good advice as usual. You could always look into Kratom or cannabis for help depending on your location and views on the legality of the substances, (my moto is any port in a storm and RLS is one hell of a storm).

Hope you get relief soon, take care.

[restlessinlondon]

Sorry I'm a bit late with my reply! I am retired now too, but was finding it increasingly difficult to work towards the end. Fortunately I had a supportive boss and she agreed that I could use the medical room for a nap at lunchtime if it wasn't already being used. I was also able to go for a walk round the block if the symptoms started up after sitting too long at the computer. Hope your work place is being helpful!

[Hidden]

I understand, I worked in a hospital pharmacy and I loved it. Sleep deprivation caused by RLS is the reason I'm now forced to live on the a disability pension. Out of the 10 days/fn, at least half I was surviving on zero sleep, the other half on 2 hrs sleep. The pharmists would supply me with anti nausea medication as soon as I'd arrive at work. Unbeknown to me at the time, (altho it stopped the nausea and vomiting, a consequence of fatigue), it makes RLS worse, altho I never noticed as my job kept me walking all day.

I made the decision to give my job up as I could no longer be a team player .... too many innocents paid the price.

I wish you good luck your future decisions.