It started with a slight twinge, an ache, feeling like something was crawling on my leg, then the hot poker struck me, directly in the belly of my left calf muscle. I sky rocketed out of bed in pain, disbelief, wonderment, and fear that it would happen again. I started my usual routine of walking around my house to dissipate the discomfort that was starting to migrate down to my foot. I thought I was safe and returned to bed only to be awaken again by the stabbing pain (exactly when I was in a deep sleep – nirvana for us Fibromates) once again in my left calf muscle.
This is a typical description for restless leg syndrome (RLS) a disorder often associated with fibromyalgia. People with RLS have strange sensations in their legs, such as creeping, burning, crawling or tugging feelings. Sometimes these sensations are fairly minor, while other times, they’re painful. The sensations start when you relax, which means they can keep you from falling asleep or wake you up several times throughout the night, causing you to be exhausted and have a hard time functioning.
The research from a 2008 study shows that approximately 60% of people with FMS experience RLS. To be bestowed with both conditions provides another reason to lose sleep at night (literally from the need to frequently move your limbs throughout the night).
RLS is a neurological condition, yet the exact cause is uncertain. Although the cause of RLS is not clear experts suspect it comes from a deficiency of the neurotransmitter called “dopamine.”
Some cases may have a genetic cause, while others are believed to be related to certain diseases (like chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis), diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, hypothyroidism, deficiencies in B12 and/or folic acid and peripheral neuropathy. Many women experience RLS during their last trimester of pregnancy with full recovery of RLS symptoms after birth.
The population that experiences RLS is big enough that there are two FDA approved medications specifically for RLS and just this week, a new version of an old favorite med used by many fibromates, gabapentin or trade name, Neurontin received FDA approval for use with moderate to severe RLS.
The new approved version is Horizant Extended Release Tablets (gabapentin encarbil). This version contains gabapentin but the extended release helps the gabapentin to be absorbed in the stomach which may reduce side effects.
Are there other treatments for RLS that may be less costly in terms of not only dollars but side effects? Yes, there are homeopathic blends that are very effective at stopping RLS (speaking from personal experience).
Other ideas involve lifestyle interventions such as, moderate exercise (preferably earlier in the day), leg massages, Epsom bath soaks, using a foam roller for releasing myofascial points on the calves, avoiding too much caffeine containing foods and beverages, avoiding nicotine, and having a lower carb, high protein snack before bedtime to ward off lowered blood sugar levels (which appear to make RLS symptoms worst).
Other areas to investigate include looking at your blood ferritin level. Ferritin is how our bodiess store iron. Low ferritin levels and RLS like to hang out together. Increasing your ferritin level by doctor prescribed Iron tablets may help you find relief from RLS symptoms.
My last reappearance of RLS is likely due to my use of a night time pain reliever which contained an antihistamine. Antihistamines, frequently found in cold meds and night time pain relievers, are known to aggravate RLS.
My job now is to put this “genie” back into its bottle for hopefully another 100 years (I’d take 100 nights!). My dynamic duo of a homeopathic treatment along with pre-bedtime light yoga stretching is already working for me. Wishing you sweet dreams!
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this post and your comments are appreciated.
