RLS and Bowel movements

[Saljake1943]

In regard to RLS and bowel movements. I was diagnosed with rectal cancer 3 yrs ago. I underwent radiation and chem and have been cancer free since 5 months after diagnosis. However, the arthritis has gotten worse in the lower back, i have spinal stenosis and a slipped disc at L2-3. All this within the past year.

I have had restless legs for years and about 2yrs ago started taking gabapentin and it has worked fine until the past year. The RLS seems to start in the lower back and seems to go right along with when I have to move my bowels. I am up at least 3 times a night for an hour standing to get rid of the RLS. It's almost like a nerve is being pinched as the bowels move down the intestines. Will have to ask my oncologist about this when I see him next month.

[Hidden]

Hi, sorry to hear about your problems, but pleased you ate in remission from the cancer.

It may be at one time you did have primary RLS, but from what you write it does sound as if your latest symptoms are caused by neuropathy. It could be, as you say yourself, a pinched nerve. Or this may be related to collateral radiation damage.

See what your oncologist says, but an MRI of your lower spine might be helpful.

[Hidden]

There is, in my opinion. a connection between vagus nerve activity and RLS - if I have to urinate or defecate I notice my RLS eases after, it does't go away but definitely helps, which is why I am often standing trying to squeeze a drop of urine at 3am because my body is going haywire. As far as I know I haven't cancer so would doubt if the RLS/bowel thing is a cancer issue but obviously wise to check.

Starting in the back - that's how mine has gone. It used to be confined to legs starting behind the knees. Now it is body wide and starts at lower back. I too have back issues with a few damaged/crumbling discs.

I'd hazard a guess that if you have been using the Gabapentin for years it either needs increased or changed.

Can I also suggest you check Iron levels and maybe do a little reading on gentle iron. Check you aren't using any drugs that exacerbates things - antihistamines and antidepressants are common culprits. Try dietary changes such as gluten free, caffeine free, alcohol free and worst of all sugar free - various people here have benefited from making these changes.

Best of luck

[bill54321]

I am interested about BM triggers to Periodic Leg Movement Awakeness (PLMA) RL is the urge to move Not the actual lightening bolt causing actual Movement. Studies show RL symptoms may take place in the morning and ,more often, the Periodic Leg Motion in the afternoon. Outside of time-tiredness studies, that is it. I get leg motion any time i am drowsy. So, this happens at the end of sleep when I lay there for a while, after noon and evening meals and before or during sleep awake periods. I take i1 ropiniole .5 m and 1 gabapentin 300 1 hour before meals, and twice that amount going to bed. The early morning awakeness is about an hour before the alarm. I get up and walk it off. But, I have had a trigger with bowel motions, on occasions. The bowel area is the saacral Pudential nerve. Your L ,2-3 herniated disc in the Lumbar, femoral , and obturator Nerve branches above the sacral regions. Perhaps the movement stressor is toxins or The pressure on the brain barrier may have something to do with it. I will keep in touch. You and I do not fit the mold and medical professionals need to bone up before they see us. Do not be afraid to google and write down your finding. Myoclonus and dystonia don,t seem to fit you either. I am 90 yr old retired Physical Theraoist.

[robert1957]

Please read causes of rls by Anthony William on the internet it may explain what is going on within your body