feeling hopeless and anxious

[mmjxc]

i know i’ve been posting a lot and i’m sorry for that, but i’m just so depressed and anxious. the RLS has gotten worse in the last 2 weeks and all i have is gabapentin, valium, and some supplements. the soonest i can see a new neurologist is February, which is better than my original appointment in March, but i can’t deal with this for 2 months. i’ve been taking ibuprofen 3-4 times per day for pain, but what about this incessant restless feeling? i hate it so much. my christmas won’t even feel like christmas. i really hope getting this birth control out of my arm makes this go away. i have a week until then though.

[Queeniz]

Awwww I’m sorry you’re having a bad time 😿

[mmjxc in reply to Queeniz]

It’s ok, I’m just trying to push through it 🙁

[Jimbo77]

Hey Nikayla. I’m really sorry you are in the thick of it. Please keep your head up. It made me sad to hear you say that Christmas won’t feel like Christmas. That’s how I felt last year. Are you still living in New York? The reason I ask is because Dr Glenn Brooks is in NY and I believe he played a large role in helping Shumba find Buprenorphine as her solution to RLS. May be worth looking into seeing him if you can get in before your neurologist appointment in Feb. He also specializes in treating hard to treat depression. Those long waits to see specialists can seem like an eternity when you are struggling.

As far as your anxiety and depression, check out a book called Dare by Barry McDonagh. I listened to it on Audible and it did more for me than any anxiety or depression medication.

Don’t lose hope. The solution is out there for you. It’s just a matter of all of us staying diligent and keeping each other informed of things that are working and things that aren’t. Don’t let this shit ailment take Christmas from you. It already takes enough as it is. Night 😊

[mmjxc in reply to Jimbo77]

It’s alright :/

I am still in New York, but I’m upstate and I think he’s in the city. That would be a 3 hour drive, but maybe he does telehealth? He might also not take my insurance, and my family isn’t really well off. I’ll still look into it, along with the book. They’re really good suggestions.

Definitely trying not to lose hope. Thank you so much!

[Jumpey]

I'm sorry you're suffering. You'll get through it. Hang on in there.It's important to get support from family and friends. I hope you can do that.I'm wondering what has exacerbated your symptoms over the last two weeks.

Are you taking antihistamines or antidepressants or another drug that could be triggering it? Have you changed your diet? Some people have dietary triggers. Have you had your ferritin level checked? It needs to be at least 100 and if not you need to take an iron supplement. For some people symptoms disappear when their levels are improved. You could try CBD oil with THC or Kratom. Or you could email Dr.Buchfuhrer for his expert advice.He usually responds promptly. Take good care and good luck.xxx

[mmjxc in reply to Jumpey]

I hope I do get through it. I do have help and support from my mom, thankfully. I think it’s probably because I’ve been bleeding for almost 4 months straight. After I got my birth control put in my arm in September, it’s been between spotting or bleeding heavily. I’m not on any antidepressants, I just started buspar though because my anxiety has been awful and I need it. Last time I had my iron checked, ferritin was 232, but that could be a false high from inflammation. I do take a lot of CBD every day, but I’m trying to stay away from Kratom because of the bad withdrawal. I emailed him last night and he responded, I’m about to go read it! Thank you!

[Jumpey in reply to mmjxc]

So glad you have support. So the bleeding could mean that you need an iron supplement.

I hope he has some helpful wisdom.❤

[mmjxc in reply to Jumpey]

Just to update you; doctor Buchfuhrer agreed that my ferritin was most likely a false high due to inflammation. He said my iron sat was too low, and also said I could benefit from an infusion. Fat chance my insurance will cover it because my hemoglobin isn’t in the gutters, but I’ll ask my doctor anyway. He also said that there’s a possibility my birth control is triggering it, and also since the birth control has made me bleed for so long, my iron stores could be even more depleted. He suggested a very low dose of an opioid or opiate if it doesn’t subside once I get this thing out of my arm, and said I’d most likely have a hard time finding a doctor that would prescribe it. I am only 20, and I live in the US, so it’s going to be annoying trying to get it. Thank you for suggesting that i email him! It was nice to talk to a doctor that knows the ins and outs of this disease.

[BurkerKing]

Hi, I'm sure you'll get through this. I've been suffering from RLS for about 30 years, and had some very bad bouts. However, on advice from this group...which i only found a couple of months ago...i have started taking iron tablets (just normal ones from the chemist), and more importantly (I think) I go out for a daily walk. Only about 30 minutes brisk walk. One or both of those things has helped massively. So much so that i have reduced my Pramipaxole by 0.18mg without massive side effects. Been on reduced dosage for a week and so far so good.

So if you can manage it, my advice is to try a daily walk, even 15 minutes if you can...but should be brisk.

Good luck.

[mmjxc in reply to BurkerKing]

I meant to respond, but thank you! I’m taking some iron and I’m going start magnesium supplements too just for the hell of it. Walking might be an issue, but I’ll try it anyway. I might try going out for 5 mins everyday for a week, then increase by increments of 5. Proud of you for being able to go down on the prami! That’s big!

Thank you again

[Hidden]

Don't apologise for posting a lot. There' s many folks on here who are happy to support you as the replies you've got demonstrate.

Just a suggestion but you may find acetaminophen with codeine better than ibuprofen. Both are painkillers, but the codeine may also help with your RLS, ibuprofen won't.

[mmjxc in reply to Hidden]

Very true! I looked into the acetaminophen with codeine. I’ll have to get a prescription, but my doctor may be more open to that than other opioids. What about plain Tylenol (acetaminophen)? Anything on that??

[Hidden in reply to mmjxc]

Acetaminophen on its own is not much use. The only painkillers suitable for RLS are opioids. There should be an over the counter version of acetaminophen and codeine if you can't a prescription, but there's not as much codeine in it.

[mmjxc in reply to Hidden]

I can’t find any over the counter where I live. I wish there was some though, last night was not easy.

[Hidden in reply to mmjxc]

Sorry, I didn't realise you couldn't get it in the US.

[mmjxc in reply to Hidden]

Yeah man, it sucks. The opioid epidemic kinda screwed that up for people that need it.

[hoooray]

Hey writing on a forum will really help. Don't worry about writing too many posts, if someone doesn't want to read your post they can just scroll on by - carry on posting and try to have as good a Christmas as possible!

[mmjxc in reply to hoooray]

Thank you!

[Midnight-Blue]

I thought I had “talked” to you already (Somehow, saying “talked “ seemed more personal!😌) Everyone seems to be hitting on your Depression & Anxiety (Don’t feel alone with it. I’ve been diagnosed with it since around ‘97 +PTST +MS & it’s OK to feel sad &frustrated occasionally.) However, when you’re not sleeping, not rested, that in itself makes your mental health an avalanche of problems rather a few flakes of snow. You didn’t mention any particular pain that you have so I’m as to why you are taking gabapentin. Most of the people I know & from what I’ve read, take this medication for pain. Because of my weight (Or lake thereof, depending on how a doctor looks it.) take 1800mg/daily for pain. For RLS I take Ropinirole 0.5 x 2/twice/day, 0.5x4 bedtime + 2ng at bedtime. I’ve heard pro’s & con’s on this medication; not that it didn’t help. It does. Not that it’s bad for you, well, if you don’t like being on medication for ANYTHING, this medication is NOT for you. I hope this helps you a bit. Talk to your doctor about this medication for your RLS. Perhaps if you can get some much needed sleep you will be able to cope with your Depression & other mental health issues. And, keep coming back here. We love having you. Happy Healthy & Peaceful New Year to you and your Family.

[mmjxc in reply to Midnight-Blue]

I’m trying to stay away from dopamine agonists since there’s that chance of augmentation, but thank you! I’m taking the gabapentin for RLS. I do have muscle spasms and twitches as well as some pain, so it might help with that too.

Also, thank you. You’re so sweet! Happy New Year to you too.

[Guitarpickin]

Hi, I’m just now seeing your post and wanted to check in. I realize you posted a month ago, but how are you doing? Did getting the birth control removed help? My heart goes out to you because I (and probably nearly everyone else on this thread) can identify with the despair. I hope your symptoms are easing and your upcoming neurology appointment provides alternatives to help you.