A (possibly) new approach to dealing with rls

[Pluto46]

In Norway, when you get a serious illness like cancer, you get a visit from the council cancer coordinator. We're lucky enough in my municipality to have an uncommonly industrious and creative coordinator.

I spoke to her this afternoon, explaining how I can hardly sit or lie still for most of the day and night, and she had the bright idea of putting me in touch with my hospital's palliative team. The team works closely with the cancer department - they're more or less next door to each other - and although the recent intensification in my rls symptoms may not be caused by the cancer, there may be a connection to the chemo therapy, or it just may be a side effect of the body's general condition. And since rls is causing such a reduction in life quality, sapping energy needed to cope with the chemo, then it probably falls within the team's scope of reference even if they've never encountered anyone with rls before.

Exciting days! I'll let you all know how it pans out.

best,

Chris

[Pam34]

You’ve certainly got a point. Good luck in getting some support. I really hope they can help.

[Pippins2]

Hi just a thought are you taking any anti sickness meds for the chemo side effects as most make RLS much worse ? Zofran is safe to take with RLS x

[Pluto46 in reply to Pippins2]

Dear Pippins2,

Thanks for replying. I take one tablet of Zofran 8mg in the morning and evening of the chemo administration day, and 2 Dexametason 4mg in the morning and evening for 3 days starting with day of administration.

A chemo course is three weeks. Week 1, intravenous administration; week 2 oral administration; and week 3 no chemo, set aside for restitution. I'm on my second course, and had the oral meds today.

There may be a connection as you suggest, but would Dexametson linger in the body from - in my case - last Sunday to this Friday, and from next Sunday to Friday week?

[Hidden]

yes! Please do!

Take care,

[Kaarina Administrator]

Hi Pluto,

The coordinator sounds like a lovely lady and that was a good idea of hers to put you in touch with the hospital's palliative team. I am sure they will do their best to help you. Please let us know how it goes.

[involuntarydancer]

Good luck, Pluto.

[tmshepard35]

Good luck! I hope you do get assistance and find some relief! Please let us know how it goes

[Pluto46]

Thanks to everyone for supportive messages. We may only be virtual human beings to one another, existing as abstract quantities in the universal web, but good wishes still mean a lot. Thanks!

[Inallfairness]

Good luck pluto🤞

[SLMCP]

Good luck and best wishes x

[Jumpey]

May you get the relief you need.xx

[NathanWi]

Good luck, Pluto! I hope you get through this quickly and easily!

[jan_ET]

Hello my dentist has cancer and he told me that I’m his group for chemo every person has developed RLS it is a side effect of chemo and he cannot take any vitamins or supplements for his RLS so he has an acupressure May- only thing he can get relief from

[Pluto46 in reply to jan_ET]

Hi jan_ET. I've been recieving acupunture for a few months now, to absolutely no effect - at least not a perceptible effect. I've had rls since my teenage years, although it's varied in intensity over the years. But it's useful to hear that chemo can exacerbate the symptoms. I'm taking a few pramipexol, and they're helping quite a lot, though I don't get much sleep from them, at least I'm not rotating like helicopter blades all night.

[involuntarydancer in reply to jan_ET]

I have heard of lots of people (me included) who have tried acupuncture but this is, I think, the first instance of its having a positive outcome.

[Pluto46 in reply to involuntarydancer]

Just to clarify, I don't think the acupuncture had any effect at all on anything. Since I work from home, I find it nice to take an hour or two off and get some attention. Given the cancer, I'm getting masses of attention, and have cancelled the acupuncture and chiropodist sessions, both of which are a bit of an infection risk for people with lowered resistance, what with their pins and scrapers.

[Poppyrose1]

Good Morning Pluto46,

Sending warm hug and strength to you. Looks like you have gone through a lot. Let us know how it all goes. We are here to give support and a kind word or two anytime. 🤗😘🙏🏼