Restless arm syndrome

[Halfpint1234]

Hi ive been on clonazepan now for a few months for restless arms , no problem with any other part of my body . My doc is just tresting symptons and this drug does reduce the awful sensation of wanting to keep moving it although doesnt stop it. My problem is all day not so much at night. Ive had mri on my back in case of trapoed nerve but all fine. Recently saw physio who has sent referal for mri on arm and a neurologist appointment. So still not sure if mine is restless arm or not. The physio is now thinking possible nerve damage .

[Joolsg]

I think this is a conundrum. The usual diagnostic criteria for RLS ( & restless arm) is that it worsens in the evening and night as dopamine levels drop and therefore disrupts sleep. If yours doesn't worsen at night it may not be RLS/ restless arms. Did the MRI cover your brain or just the upper spine? It could be some neuropathy affecting the upper spine and therefore pregabalin might be better to treat the symptoms as pregabalin helps both nerve pain/sensations and RLS.

One way you could test the theory is to try Amitriptyline for the nerve discomfort and if it makes it worse, then it is more likely to be restless arm. If it improves the sensations, it is more likely to be neuropathy/nerve damage.

[Halfpint1234 in reply to Joolsg]

I am on amitriptyline 10mg a day but also other meds for other conditions . So really just hoping they find the cause .

[Elffindoe in reply to Halfpint1234]

Conundrum is a good word

Restless is another!

Restlessness is a common sign of nerve disorders.

The conundrum is first that you get it in your arms, not your legs. RLS can occur in the arms, but usually when it does, it first occurs in the legs or in the legs as well.

Also as Jools says, one of the diagnostic criteria for RLS is that it usually only happens at night.

Another criteria is the symptoms usually only occur when at rest and are relieved by movement.

If your symptoms do not meet these criteria then not only do you not have restless legs, but also the cause of them is not the same.

Furthermore, if your symptoms did have the same cause as RLS then amitriptyline would make it worse.

Overall, it doesn't appear to me that the cause of your symptoms is related to RLS.

I hope further investigations get to the bottom of it.

[Halfpint1234 in reply to Elffindoe]

Unfortunatly im on several meds . Amitrityline i ve been on years and my arms only started about 4 months ago. Im also on a statin, clopadegral, ramipril ,benzoflumazide, plus forstair and ventolin and lansoprazole. As ive had mini stroke, asthma , high bp, and gerd so basically rattle when i walk . These conditions i e had for many years and my stroke was 2013. And gerd o er 20 years . Lucky me lol

[Joolsg in reply to Halfpint1234]

When did the restless arm first Start? Can you remember? Did it start before or after you were put on Amitriptyline? What other meds are you taking? Many meds can actually trigger or worsen underlying RLS /restless arms and Amitriptyline ( and most other anti depressants) are the main culprits.

[Elffindoe]

Lansoprazole is another drug that makes RLS worse.

I can't definitely confirm, but I think it highly unlikely that your arm symptoms are at all related to RLS.

That may be good news!

[Halfpint1234 in reply to Elffindoe]

Well im thinking its some sort of nerve damage as its right into my arm pit and when pressure was put on it by physio it was painful to say the least . Im keeping my fingers crossed for a good outcome but im sick of having to keep moving my arm all day it as you all know drives you crazy .

[Elffindoe in reply to Halfpint1234]

I hope you find out what it is soon.

[Tapir]

I have had something similar but mainly at night when in bed. My problem was a quite intensive pain down my left arm into my elbow and sometimes, faintly, into my wrist. It was clearly a nerve pain and I would throw my arm about to try to relieve the pain, which gave only instant relief: then the pain would start again. I could trace the pain across the front of my deltoid muscle.

This problem was traced to pressure on the nerve emerging from C6 in my cervical spine. A cortisone injection by a spinal surgeon, under X-ray guidance, was successful in curing this.

Hope this helps.

[murano]

Hello does that drug clonazepan make you extremley drowsy ? My partners been prescribed it for restless legs but its got a black Box warning which makes the drug dangerous so he hasnt tried it yet ? Interesting most people i thought get the worst RLS symptoms at night .

[Halfpint1234 in reply to murano]

Hi ive been taking it at night for a few months and have not noticed feeling drowsey , it does not effect me in any way , this may be different for other people . I take 4 tablets at night 0.5micrograms each.. i feel clear headed and not at all drowsy . Tell him to give them a go , he may take a few days for his body to get use to them i think people react differently. Hope this helps.

[murano in reply to Halfpint1234]

Hi Thankyou Everyone is different he has a high tolerence as took a lot of codeine when he broke his back . thanks for your feed back totally contrary to what we have been told .Worth a try to get some sleep Thanks again

[RestlessNights11]

I have bad restless legs and occasionally restless arms. In fact last night I had restless arm in my left arm only. Really uncomfortable. I find a hot shower really helpful.