Does anyone else get really bad anxiety

[Wildchildx]

Did mean to ask how many suffer with anxiety due to RLS

[Hidden]

That's better, yes I imagine that most people with anything more than mild RLS get anxious. I think some get anxious about the RLS itself.

Personally, I sometimes get anxious about it' consequences. but that's usually only when I'm anticipating an immediate consequence e.g. like starting the second day of a two day, all day conference when I've not slept all night. That's natural and normal enough. I don't get anxious about my symptoms at all. I have other conditions far worse.

Sometimes posts appear on this site from people who are very very anxious about symptoms they have which aren't actually RLS at all. In that case I always urge them to see a doctor to confirm the diagnosis.

Sometimes people already diagnosed with RLS get very very anxious about their symptoms and their anxiety may be more damaging than the actual RLS itself and actually makes the RLS worse.

What is your experience?

[Wildchildx in reply to Hidden]

Mine is RLS its awful it goes into my arms waiting to see neurologist

[Hidden in reply to Wildchildx]

That's not good.

Are you taking any medication and what exactly are you anxious about?

With RLS it seems there's so many things you could be anxious about.

It does help to share your anxieties.

[Wildchildx in reply to Hidden]

It has big impact on my work, my manager tells me it is only visual and doesn't hurt

[Hidden in reply to Wildchildx]

That's appalling, perhaps you should give him/her some literature on RLS and its effects. If you're in the UK under equality laws employers must make reasonable adjustment for any health condition you may have, otherwise they are discriminating.

[Wildchildx in reply to Hidden]

Going to look into it

[Jane190 in reply to Wildchildx]

I mean I am not a self harmed and nor do I have mental health issues

[Jane190 in reply to Wildchildx]

I know exactly how you feel I have even thought of cutting my legs just to get inside of them and sort it out I am not a self harmed or do I have mental health issues but this is what rls is making me feel

[Nottsali]

I did when my symptoms first started last year. I was terrified that I'd never feel any better, and that I'd have to take dopamine agonists too. I had some great cbt to help, and I would definitely recommend it if you can access it.

My symptoms aren't much better yet, but slowly coming off gabapentin to replace with pregabalin. What keeps the anxiety at bay is accepting that this is how it is for now, but also hope that I'll find acceptable treatment, eventually. I'll even try dopamine agonists if I have to.

This forum is a godsend. You know you will always be listened to.

[Dogdoo]

I have anxiety but my rls makes it worse.

I do find with my rls, it comes with its own peculiar anxiety.

For me, it's like i get a very unsettled feeling. It's different from my usual anxiety, from which i get more typical physical anxiety symptoms (rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, jittery, upset stomach etc).

My rls anxiety doesn't produce those symptoms. As i said, it's an unsettled, uneasy feeling for a few moments before the rls hits.

That cycle will continue so i just get out of bed.

I don't try to fight or ride out my rls.

It never works and makes things worse.

I've an appointment with a Neuro guy on friday and i am DEMANDING methadone or other opiate based treatment.

I've run through all the usual meds and treatments.

I'm so done with this, it's not even funny.

I'd like to at least give the methadone a