Beyond Restless Leg Syndrome??????

Question

I have been experiencing what I thought was rls for about 2 years. I have taken a lot of meds that either cause me to feel like my skin is on fire or make me very ill. I have tried muscle relaxers, valium, xanax and they make it much worse. My symptoms have progressed from restlessness in my calves to shooting stabbing pain from my feet to my hips and pain and the restless feeling in both arms. I experience cramps all day long and just a general soreness while walking. I went for a sleep study last night and had to leave because I was in excruciating pain and had to come home and sit a a scalding hot bath for about an hour to get a slight amount of relief. I am getting maybe 3 hours of sleep a night which is leaving me completley exhausted as well. Although my boss understands what I am going through she pulled me into her office last week and told me that if I don't get this taken care of I may lose my job because of my lack of concentration and silly mistakes.

Does anyone know what this could be and how to get some relief????

I went through some extensive tests and lab work Thursday. My doctor also agrees that it is something way beyond RLS and actually told me that he is quite worried about me. He assured me that he will not stop until he finds out what is wrong and what to do about it in the mean time has prescribed me Soma (a muscle relaxer with asprin and codeine, Prednizone for inflamation and Darvacet. I had 3 more symptoms show up Tuesday night and Wednesday morning and today. The first was the feeling of someone sitting at the foot of my bed hammering giant nails into the bottom of my feet (that was a great night for me and my husband....:) and then I woke up the next morning and now can't bend my head forward towards my chest. And today whenever I eat, now matter how small of an amount, it feels like my stomach is going to explode. If you know what this is or just have knowledge of these symptoms some encouraging words word be very great until I hear from my dr next week. Thank you, Stacy

Answer 1

it's a possibility that this is Fibromyalgia. The progression you describe is like Fibromyalgia. Visit a doctor of rheumatology and get a good checkup and diagnosis. I think this type of doctor will be the best for you with this type of problems . See a rheumatologist as soon as possible.

I've enclosed a link were you can read more about Fibromyalgia.

Answer 2

These other answers are excellent suggestions. First you need a diagnosis. You need a thorough exam with labs. Eliminate triggers that may be aggravating the problem. I used to be bothered with RLS. I tried the meds which all made me so tired I couldn't function but I never really slept well. Then I found an exercise that changed my life.
Stand against a wall. Keep your back against the wall and walk your feet away from the wall while keeping your back against it until you are in an "invisible chair" position. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat this until you can't do anymore. It fatigues the muscles and stops them from being jumpy. If you have RLS you will love this! Good luck.

Answer 3

You helped lots people, now is my turn to help you. Even doctors do not understand all the reasons about RLS. What you can do is pull the basic cause out and RLS may or may not go away, but, at least your doctors can see more clearly then. Two basic causes for almost any illness are body toxins and chemical imbalance. Try to detoxifying your body by detoxification massages, Qigong massage, detoxify foot bath, (iron cleaning) and detoxify food program. Use running warm water 10 seconds, cold water 10 seconds for 7 times on lower body. You need to eat healthy and take some supplements to help chemical imbalance. One more thing, detoxification massage can improve blood and lymphatic circulation and it is the best way to helping sleep. Take care.

Answer 4

Natural muscle relaxers are molasses and bananas both contain magnisium and potassium.
See both a chiropractor and a massage therapist to help you get better.
Understand what is going on with your muscles read The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies.
It took me quite a while to make a comeback from how bad my back was and I have had intermittant other problem areas.

Answer 5

If your problem is RLS it could be a deficiency of potassium, calcium, magnesium or Vitamin B6.

Sounds like perhaps your problem goes beyond RSL as you have, in fact, suggested yourself. Perhaps RSL is only part of your problems.

Answer 6

you have prob. already heard this, but try not to eat two hours before you go to bed. Also wean yourself away from highly caffinated drinks like coffee and soda. This lastg bit is just personal opinion but i strongly believe that your flexibility is related to RLS. Try taking up yoga at home right be you go to bed, daily. it will help you wind down and relax, and it will also increase your flexibility

Answer 7

Stacy, your symptoms sound just like mine. I have secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Make the doctor order an MRI with contrast in your head, neck, and spinal cord.

Answer 8

A friend had the same symptoms. After many doctor visits and many tests she found out she had MS. Ask your doctor if this could be what you have.
I hope you find out soon. Good luck!

Answer 9

I am not sure about your condition but, please be careful in taking narcotic medication. These medications are highly addictive and even after one week your body can become dependant on them. Once that starts you will still have to deal with your pain and also withdrawling of the medications or becoming addicted. Please be careful.

Answer 10

go to a chiropractor