Help

[Angiet48]

Hi new to this site but just been to doctors after suffering months of pain and £600 later on a new mattress made no difference, I am in so much pain at night with rls my doctor is rubbish he said just to look on this site I have already done this I have followed everything what as been put on. I don't know what to do now apart from trying sleeping tablets just to see if I can get some sleep at least, I rub deep heat on and massage my thigh but makes no difference. Would anybody recommend anything else please ?

[Madlegs1]

What exactly are your symptoms? Have you been diagnosed with rls- and what were the criteria?

What medications have you been on so far- doses and length of treatment.

Sorry for all the questions - but we have to start somewhere!

Cheers.

[Angiet48 in reply to Madlegs1]

Pain both thigh's when i go to sleep so spend most of my night moving from one side to another, doctor as saiid thats what it is. Im on medication gp said he doesnt want to give me anything until i have tried everything on website which i have. So now im at a lost just in pain at night and not much sleep.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Angiet48]

I'm sorry- but that doesn't answer all any of my queries- and certainly doesn't sound like rls.

What exactly have you tried , that's been suggested on this site?

[Hidden in reply to Angiet48]

Hi and welcome! So sorry about the not much sleep part -- that is really rough! If you could please comes back with as much info. as you can regarding your condition it would help us help you. Are you on any pain killers? Have you tried magnesium oil for your pain? It works wonders for mine!

Take care,

[Angiet48 in reply to Hidden]

When i lie down to sleep the pain starts in my thigh so i turn over to my other side and the pain starts in the over thigh. Im not on any painkillers as my doctor doesnt want to put me on them. I might try magnesium.

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Angiet48]

Hi Angiet,

Above you say " Im on medication gp said he doesnt want to give me anything until i have tried everything on website which i have."

Does this mean you are on some medication or not? If you are on any medication please let us know precisely what for instance, antihistamines, anti-depressants etc.

Did your GP point you in the direction of the rls-uk website or the discussion forum or both?

You say you have tried everything on the website already.

Magnesium oil is suggested on the rls-uk website under Self Management of RLS. It says, "Magnesium Oil Spray used on the legs can be beneficial to some sufferers - this is available from larger pharmacies or health food stores. Check with your doctor before you start using this product. "

We would really like to try to help you but to do this it is important to know if you are on any medication or not and if you are, what exactly.

[Angiet48 in reply to Kaarina]

Doctor wont give me any he doesnt agree with tablets for anything

[Hidden in reply to Angiet48]

Hi!

If you don't mind me asking, what is your doctor's rationale for not wanting you to take painkillers? Yes, please do try the magnesium oil. You might feel itchy on the areas you put it on, but that is normal -- that is just a sign that the cells in that area are lacking magnesium. It really works wonders (for me, at least)!

You can also try an epsom salt bath.

Take care,

[Angiet48 in reply to Hidden]

He doesnt agree with tablets i will just after suffer

[Hidden in reply to Angiet48]

Ummm....

He might not agree, but do YOU agree??? That's the main thing. You are the patient, he isn't. You are the one who is suffering, he is not.

Seriously...are these doctors trying to kill us?

[Angiet48 in reply to Hidden]

I am going to go see another doctor next week he fobs everybody of with websites and self help i would not of gone to him but i am in alot of pain at night i was crying last night but i think that is lack of sleep

[Hidden in reply to Angiet48]

Oh gosh, I'm so sorry!! Crying yourself to sleep is an awful feeling, isn't it?

You know: I'm barely surviving myself and my therapist is telling me to praise myself for all the things I manage to do for myself (which is practically everything these days since my energy is lacking due to poor sleep). If you told my therapist that you were taking charge of your health by going to see another doctor she would tell you to give yourself a pat on the back! So, well done! I wish you better luck with this one. We have to do what we have to do in order to stay sane, don't we?

[Angiet48 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[Kaarina Administrator]

Hi Angiet

Have you looked at the Self Management page on the rls-uk website? rls-uk.org/self-management/

I have copied this from the rls-uk website under Diagnosis.

"It is recommended that patients with RLS are given the following tests by their medical practitioner, as a minimum:

Serum ferritin: RLS is frequently associated with iron deficiency.

Renal function: RLS may be associated with renal failure.

Other investigations for underlying possible cause include fasting blood glucose, magnesium, TSH, vitamin B12 and folate.

If the neurological examination suggests an associated peripheral neuropathy or radiculopathy, electromyography and nerve conduction studies should be undertaken."

I do not think your GP should refuse to do these tests for you.

I have never heard of a GP who does not believe in prescribing medication and I would suggest if at all possible, you go and see another doctor.

[Angiet48 in reply to Kaarina]

He is very much in to self help i am going to go see another next week im sick of the pain he said try take your mind of it but it is very hard too when you are trying to sleep and the pain keeps you awake

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Angiet48]

I am relieved to hear that you will be seeing another GP next week. I hope he is better informed and helpful.

Being told to "take your mind off it" is to my way of thinking saying "it is all in your head". What an insult.

I wish you all the best at your appointment next week. Let us know how you get on.

[Angiet48 in reply to Kaarina]

Thank you

[Madlegs1]

Angie- I am thinking that you are not talking about a medically qualified doctor- a lot of people are trying to help you here but you are not giving many clear answers that make any sense.

The pain you describe sounds very like what I suffer from - Bursitis of the hips. Would you please Google that and see if it chimes with your experience.

It is an extremely sore and aggravating condition- and very hard to help. Strong pain relieving rubs can help. As can stretching and physical therapy. It can come from being in bed for a long time- such as hospital.

Hope this helps a bit.

[Angiet48 in reply to Madlegs1]

No it is not that. I am trying my best to tell people about the pain im feeling i dont really no what else i can say apart from the pain and not sleeping with it is very upsetting. The gp i went to see is not that interested in anybodys problem not just mine.

[Hidden in reply to Angiet48]

If you check the criteria for RLS, it will give you a better idea on whether it is RLS or not.

[Hidden]

Hi Angie,

I know you've tried heat, but what about cold? I used a cooling gel for a while, back when my leg movements were extremely bad. It helped some because it would numb my "pain". I'm wondering if this would be something for you to try for getting through the nights?

Take care,

[Angiet48 in reply to Hidden]

I will try that thank you.

[AussieRodney in reply to Hidden]

Agreed. I have 2 "staples" in my bag of tricks.

IcyHot starts out cold and then warms gently. Great for muscular aches.

BioFreeze is just cold. Currently the go-to for my legs.