Has anyone else felt like a fool when... - Restless Legs Syn...
Has anyone else felt like a fool when going to GP for the 1st time about RLS? Some GPs seem to think it's all in the mind
That goes for a lot of things for women.. The first time I went to the doctor for RLS was in the late 60's and explaining to him was bad enough then he looked at me like I was nuts. Then he made me feel like it was all in my head and I knew better. I did not find a doctor until the last 10 years that knew what it is and try to help.
Thanks for replying, I had already mentioned it to the nurse and she just said don't drink tea, don't smoke and don't drink. well I have cut nearly them all out and its still happening.
She is saying about those things to cut out, because for some people it can make the RLS worse. The nurse obviously doesnt know enough about RLS. I drink tea and smoke a bit, i dont drink, but cutting them out didnt make any difference to mine. With this condition everyone is very different and some things help people and for some it doesnt make a blind difference.
Yes I need to go back and say about mine again!! I'm nervous! I shouldn't be!!
Thanks for getting back to me, yeah, I feel nervous too. I had already mentioned to the nurse and she dismissed me and then last week I spoke to a doc at the surgery. I don't think he was too keen on prescribing medication but lo and behold because I had such a terrible time last night with RLS I plucked up the courage to speak to him again this morning in a telephone consultation only to discover he is away on holiday! lol !!
Oh thats too bad, just when you got brave enough to ask him, i hope he gets back soon so you can approach him again.
These days doctors should know about RLS, but there are still some who dont know about it and will try to dismiss it. The best thing to do is take as much info about RLS that you can find. when going to the doctors, especially if its your first time, or you have a doctor that doesnt have the knowledge of RLS.
Unfortunately years ago, this condtion wasnt reconised by doctors. There also wasnt really any meds. back then that doctors could give people, apart from sleeping pills and maybe a couple of others. If you told your doctor you cant sleep at night because your legs jump and keep you awake, then most would give sleeping pills. cause they didnt have the knowledge or the know how on RLS and how the treat it..
I was lucky. I went to my GP first about snoring. He was brilliant and wrote the referral letter to the nearest sleep centre whilst I was talking to him! After a night's stay, I was diagnosed with sleep apnoea and restless legs syndrome, both of which are now treated. So yes, you may feel like a fool and some GPs may be less than supportive but do try, the resuts may be great.
Oh that brought back memories! I'd complained for almost 10 years (beginning in 1985) about problems with RLS (before it had a name) and it was constantly brushed off. When my husband told the doctor it was like I was kicking him out of bed, suddenly it became a problem! But still, the disease had no name. One sleepless night I read an article in Reader's Digest that described EXACTLY what I was experiencing, and I brought that in to the doctor. We're all learning....
Today it has a name and treatment and there is NO reason a doctor shouldn't take it seriously. The TV commercials seem to trivialize and don't really relay the horrible effects of the aggravating sleeplessness.
Wish I had some magic advice but can sure sympathize with the frustration. Keep after the doctor to find something that works for you! They're "practicing" and you can educate them too. The Neupro patch works miracles for me. GOOD LUCK and hang in there...
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