Is there a tool you can use at home to record your RLS symptoms?

[Sampsie]

Hello.

After 12 years of RLS, last night I attended a sleep clinic and, devastatingly for me, I was too anxious to sleep or relax and therefore had one of about 10 nights over the last 12 years where I had no symptoms. Has this happened to anyone else during a sleep study? And does anyone know of a way I can track my symptoms at home to show my consultant at my follow-up appointment?

I'd appreciate any advice as I am massively stressed that I will be written off as healthy.

Thank you.

[Kaarina Administrator]

Hi Sampsie

Would either of these links from the RLS-UK website be of any help to you?

rls-uk.org/rls-monitor

static1.squarespace.com/sta...

[Sampsie in reply to Kaarina]

Thank you for these Kaarina.

[Madlegs1]

Since the majority of symptoms will affect you while you are awake, then a simple diary/ journal recording those symptoms will be extremely valuable.

Even more helpful to you, will be a food / intake diary at the same time, which will undoubtedly throw up coincidences between triggers and rls episodes.

Many people have found this practice to be life-changing.

I presume you have addressed all the issues regarding rls triggers and causes that are detailed at length on the conversations on this site.

Cheers.

[Sampsie in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks Madlegs1. Actually I haven't kept a diary now for years as I got fed up of not finding the triggers but it's a really good reminder of something I should try again.

[Hidden]

Hi you can record your RLS symptoms whilst awake by using the tools Kaarina suggests or simply keep a diary as Madlegs suggests.

However the purpose of a sleep study is to study what happens whilst youre asleep. Obviously, you can't do that yourself. So unless you've got a partner who's willing to stay awake all night watching you, you're a bit stuck.

However, if you have one of them fitness watches, monitor things, I had one once I couldn't get it to work and it wouldn't talk to my phone because it was the wrong colour of Bluetooth, or something like that

BUT

They often have a sleep monitor in them dah darrrr!

If you haven't got one, they can be a bit expensive,

[Sampsie in reply to Hidden]

Hi Manerva, thanks for your suggestion. I do have one of those watches and it does show when my legs start and wake me. I think given I 'failed' my sleep exam I shall show the consultant some of my readings as I don't want to be taken off my Gabapentin. Thanks for the tip.

[martino]

I had great difficulty with a sleep study. I think I had about 30 electrodes on my head with leads all over the place. I did get a couple of hours and in that time Periodic Leg Movement was recognised although not as much as I thought it was. A very unpleasant business! Interestingly it showed I had sleep apnea which surprised me. I have a device on my wrist which records sleep but I’m not sure it is accurate. I record my sleep in a general way in a diary but I am not sure how much notice anyone would take.

[Sampsie]

Hi Martino, I found all the gubbins I was attached to so uncomfortable too. What with that, the noise outside, needing to call the nurse each time I wanted the loo and my anxiety about the whole thing I just couldn't relax. Sorry to hear about the sleep apnea. My father has it. It was good to know you also found it all difficult too - not just me! Thanks.

[blueeyes5262]

Use your phone and record it