RLS, PLMS or Rem Sleep Disorder

[Spurdog1]

This is developing quite nicely, I think. (Strange to say, I hear you say)

My consultant heard my doctor's diagnosis of PLMS, but felt that it may be REM sleep disorder. I am now beginning to think like him. (BTW does anyone sleep with mouth open? I mention because a cough is developing, so "out with the strepsils").

Last Night.

The events seem to have now settled towards 3 monthly occurence's, and i bless this, because it could be much worse for me. I also count my blessings, that I am not as bad as some of you guys/gals out there. (OK, I give up how to spell "occurancies").

I was driving down the motorway and in front of me a removal van travelled, but he mis-judged the bridge, and it ripped the roof off scattering the debris in front of my car. I slammed the brakes on, and awoke from this dream. I had been sleeping on my tummy, but to avoid the accident had raised my body (in real life) onto my knees/elbows.

This to me suggests REM sleep, methinks. I know we don't have doctors or consultants on board, but anyone with "life experiences", I would appreciate your input.

I think all this is to do with my work, (I retired after much stress two years ago)

PS I am awaiting a sleep study, around October this year, at the JR in Oxford.

[SueJohnson]

You need to get a sleep study sooner than October. Interestingly 1 person installed a camera to take video of himself while sleeping.

[Spurdog1 in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi sue. Why is that. Please. They have been firm over the length of wait. I have had the initial verbal consult. The wheels in the uk run slower than in the us.

[SueJohnson in reply to Spurdog1]

Why is that? Because you want to find out what your problem is. 5 months is too long to wait. Granted I don't live in the UK, but I believe I have seen other posts where they didn't have to wait nearly that long.

[Joolsg in reply to SueJohnson]

The NHS is under severe strain at the moment so all appointments are delayed here. Waiting lists are long. 5 months for a sleep study in the UK is actually quite good.Obviously you can be seen more quickly if you opt to pay privately.

[Spurdog1 in reply to Joolsg]

We can tell the NHS is under strain, you can't get through to a GP. Anyway TBH i have already waited 3 months. My philosophy is "I'm grateful for the time given to me from a sleep specialist" no matter how many months I wait.BTW I'm looking forward to the actigraph mentioned by Amrob. Pity I couldn't wear it at home for a week or so, not very expensive. Optimises time.

[SueJohnson in reply to Joolsg]

Glad I live in the US.

[Spurdog1 in reply to SueJohnson]

Like every country it has it's benefits. We can pay for our services, but we don't have to. Its called the NHS, medical help for everyone. America doesn't have that.

[SueJohnson in reply to Spurdog1]

True. But we do have medicare which I have which isn't very expensive and I can see a doctor usually within week.

[Hidden]

Before I had an overnight sleep study about 10 years ago, my sleep specialist gave me an actigraph to wear for 2 weeks (it's a wristwatch like device similar to a fitbit). From that he was able to infer that i had PLMD, which was later confirmed by a sleep study. Perhaps that is an option for you.

[Eryl]

My RLS and sleep improved on a low carb diet. A high carb diet will cause chronic inflammation which makes the nerves hypersensitive and causes RLS. A high carb diet results in high insulin levels which drives the cells to consume the blood sugar and while you're sleeping the only active cells are those for the vital functions especially the brain and hence the sleep disorder.

[Grandma132 in reply to Eryl]

Makes sense. I will try low carb diet. Could lose the weight too. Thanks

[Cowbsky]

_Hi,_ Just to share my experience , as long as me, you could rent (Hope you can do this in your country) a Bilevel CPAP (Resmed as preference), with a SD card, for a while;

_ by a Full face mask, sleep with the stuff for a week, two...

_ download the free App OSCAR, read your data daily;

_ ask for interpretation add in apnea board blog, If you need to;

_ luckilly, within month or so, you may learn everything you would need in your sleep, REM stages, mouth breathing, RLS ....

I might help by private message.....

ALL the best and good luck....

[Grandma132]

I believe my husband has REM sleep disorder. He sometimes has dreams of fighting. He has knocked over a lamp on the table next to the bed. He has kicked himself out of bed after throwing his pillow across the room (that was actually very funny). He talks and sings in his sleep. I've been kicked and punched but fortunately it doesn't happen very often and I'm a light sleeper so I am forewarned if he's having a dream and get out of the way. It helps that we have a king size bed.

[Spurdog1]

A sleep specialist monitors your sleep pattern. Most peoplssleepnormally, going through three or four stages, such asa deep sleep. It is normal to go through a dreaming period. There is something not normal with the sleep pattern for me. Having a sleep in the clinic monitors my pattern and where it is different to normal people. With that info they hopefully will know how to correct it.

[Grandma132]

No sleeping pills.

[SueJohnson]

Is your RLS under control?

[Spurdog1 in reply to SueJohnson]

Yes/no. I say yes, with only one breakdown every three months. Hopefully the specialist will be "more specific" in his medication, though I'd prefer "non-medication". Id prefer something like CBD