IN REPLY TO ALL

[Phogan]

I do seriously thank you all for your kind words and honest advice, but unfortunately, you did not tell me anything that I was not already completely aware of. It does seem easier to be able to render advice (no matter how sincere, honest, correct and extremely helpful that said advice is, (I find, at least), to be somewhat more difficult to act on.

And because I have just recently, (only just over 2 weeks), and because it is so close to Christmas, I have found it to be extremely difficult in finding a new doctor, as most medical centres are closing down for the holiday break, and are therefore not taking on any new patients until the new year. (And I truely don't mean this to come out ungrateful .... but the old adage (in this

particular case anyway)

seems to be somewhat true .... in that beggars can't be choosers.

And so it was somewhat very unfortunate for me,

(on meeting my new doctor for the very first time), and with my first question being the most obvious, (for us anyway), 'Do you know much about Restless Legs doctor'? And the answer that is so often too common is returned, 'What'? Well, you all understand that sinking feeling.

So, in answer to one of your questions, no I am afraid that, unfortunately, I do not have a lot of faith in my new doctor. Who, BTW ....looks as if she is about 12 years old.

And as far as my concerns with regards to the problem I am facing

with my depression goes,

after speaking to somebody today, on the phone, (a counsellor), it suddenly dawned on me, that I have been without my antidepressant medication for several days now, so that would

indeed account for the

major depressive feelings, of witch I am experiencing at the moment.

I have come to realise, that antidepressants, (along with many other medications), are sometimes seriously taken for granted. One does not realise just how well they are actually working, until, (for whatever reason), one ceases to take them. And I feel that therein lies my problem.

And as far as Christmas is concerned this year, at the ripe old age of 64, I have finally got my way I will not be celebrating it this year and I will be spending it on my own.

But to those of you who do celebrate Christmas, I hope you have a lovely day and truly enjoy it.

[Hidden]

Oh to be able not to spend Christmas!!!

Glad you got to the root of the problem about the depression.

I wouldn't write off the Dr just yet as younger Drs sometimes are not as caught in their ego and are therefore more willing to listen and more likely to go and look up stuff instead of depending on their 'expert' knowledge.

A very peaceful Christmas to you Phogan and may 2018 be full of good health.

[strawberryshortcake]

Try to drink more water. I think this does help as I have tried it, helps with Cramps as well.

[Retren]

Phogan you are really down in the dumps.I trust you will take whatever medication helps you and you can start feeling better.The holidays can often make a person feel worse and hope this lifts for you soon.I wish you a Healthy New Year.

[johnmarg]

Merry Xmas to you too. Too bad you do not have a RLS facility or doctor nearby like I do. It makes all the difference. Good luck on your hunt.

[Ikeeptrying]

Mt husband and I celebrate Christmas by going to the movies. May I ask what antidepressant you're taking? I've read that almost all of them exacerbate RLS. If you have one that works and doesn't bother your legs I'd be interested myself. Thank you. Hope your Christmas is lovely too.

[Hidden]

I'm sorry you have been struggling. I have been there with the depression, and you are absolutely correct. We tend to take the anti-depression medicines for granted, until we stop taking them. Then we forget we stop taking them. And then we can't figure out why we're depressed. Ugh. I'm in the States, where I think we sometimes over-medicate -- except when it comes to mental health, which remains a stigma. Anyway, have a good holiday, however you celebrate and I hope you feel better soon.