Hello

I just wanted to introduce myself and say hi. I probably should have done this before my original post.

I am quite certain I have restless leg syndrome. I don’t have the best relationship with my GP so have pretty much diagnosed myself.

I have really suffered with my legs for the past 6 months but the last 2 to 3 months have been hell. I sleep for 90 minutes maximum and hear myself crying from the pain. I am so exhausted that it takes a while for me to wake up and at first I can not move my legs. I have to force myself to stand and walking relieves the pain in minutes.

Last week at my son’s insistence I called my GP to arrange a telephone consultation. I told her that I have restless legs syndrome and she checked my blood test results from a month ago and said I was in need of iron pills which I started on Monday.

I’m here in desperation and to learn and maybe make some new friends.

I live in England. I’m a little bit crazy and a lot of fun... when I’m not sleep deprived and in pain in which case I’m a lot crazy and no fun at all...

[Hidden]

Hi have you checked the criteria for RLS. ? You have to have the urge to move your legs it's s urge you can't resist which means for me I have to get out of bed to pace to get some relief then it's back to bed to try again. Do you lnow your ferritin level number which should be tested when you have your others bloods tested of you don't ask your doctor as he/she had put you on iron tabs your doctor seems to have some idea about RLS. For RLSers the experts recommend those levels to be 300.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Elise,

Thanks for replying. To be honest until I started reading here earlier tonight I’d never heard of ferritin level number.

I will try to find out what mine was.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I haven’t checked the criteria for rls Elisse?

What is this?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

As I am using my phone and not my laptop I can't copy and paste it to you. But if you use the search box on here and type criteria for RLS you should get posts from members which will show the criteta. There are 5 parts to the criteria which you must have all 5 to be diagnosed as having RLS. In the meantime another member might see your post tonight and post it for you. I am in the UK and suppose to be sleep which of course I am not as my RLS is keeping me awake and I have been pacing But I am now going to try again to try to sleep. You have come to the right place to get advice for your RLS. 😊

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi again Elisse, I hope you managed to fall asleep.

I too am in the UK. My bloody brain isn’t working properly! I have checked the criteria for rls, and met all 5.

I’m reading Restless Legs Syndrome Treatment by Emma D Jones at the moment and it was covered really early on but when I read your reply earlier it just didn’t register in my brain.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to reply.

I really really really hope your night brings you some decent sleep 😴

[Madlegs1 in reply to Hidden]

@eElisse2

Copy and paste on a smart phone.

Hold a finger tip on the screen. A blue box/ bubble will appear. Move ,with your finger tip one of the bubbles to highlight the area you wish to copy. Click the copy icon. That will be stored until you need to paste it on the new blank page.

It may take a few practise tries, if you're awkward,like me.🤢

Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks Madlegs will give it a go. 😊

[Joolsg]

Hi Mercurial and welcome.

Good news because you could be one of the 60% of RLS sufferers who get dramatic improvement by raising iron levels.

Ask your GP for a copy of the blood test so you can see all the actual numbers. Ferritin and iron levels can be raised faster by taking iron supplements every other day as this method fools a chemical called Hepcedin in the brain which blocks the absorption of iron.

What meds are you taking including all over the counter meds like anti histamines and cough meds?

Anti depressants cause or make RLS much worse as do anti histamines and anti nausea meds but there is a list of safe versions.

[smilingjane]

Hi mercorial

Welcome to the madhouse!

I have had Rl for many years and have medication which masks it 😊 Pkew 😉

Would you mind sharing your iron blood results. Just had mine through and would like to compare them to a follow sufferer.

Thank you

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Here's a link to the RLS diagnostic criteria

irlssg.org/diagnostic-criteria