I can't diagnose you but my PCP says there may be a link but no studies so take that for what its worth. I have both.
There are several medications available. It's really important to get a complete physical as well as bloodwork. If you are anemic it can make RLS/PLMD worse. It's important to get your ferretin checked as it can also make things worse and it isn't included with a standard cbc.
Have you had a sleep study? You may need that for a diagnosis.
Welcome to PR!
Barb
Thanks Barb, in my last blood test my
Hemoglobin was a little bit higher. I have read that a common reason for an increased hemoglobin is the reaction of the body to a reduced supply of oxygen to the organs. As a result, in the bone marrow to increase the production of red blood cells, so that the hemoglobin concentration is increased.
MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) is also a little bit higher.
I guess that the reduced oxygen to the organs is not really good for me?
I will look into ferretin.
Magnesium and potassium both help restless legs. Also, I do an epsom salts bath at night to get even more MG, and it helps with sleep and calming my legs.
Thanks for the tip, is there an particular magnesium form which helps with the restless legs?
I don't have Fibro, but I do have CFS (if that's even what it is) and was diagnosed with PLMD (Restless legs at night). I was put on Iron pills to increase my ferritin levels and Mirapex. I can't say I've experienced exactly what you're describing, but from my sleep study on a good night I would awaken 24 times (unknowingly) as a result of my movements. My movements have gotten better and with it my sleep, but no changes to my fatigue levels. The iron pills made me nauseous and had little effect on my ferritin. I asked my doctor if there could be something preventing iron from converting to ferritin (iron storage) that would make this treatment ineffective. They had to take me off the iron pills to avoid blood iron toxicity, but my ferritin levels were still on the low range. The mirapex did work for me, but I constantly had to increase the dosage. I didn't have any associated pain, so I can't help with that aspect. I hope your doctor is able to figure something out. Please let me know if you find out anything on ferritin problems, it would be helpful to know I'm not the only one that is not storing enough iron and potential causes. Best of luck.
Thanks Kristy, i will do soon a ferritin blood test.
Are your ferritin levels still low?
I don't know why this is working, and maybe it's just me. But I've been moisturizing my legs for a few weeks, and I've stopped kicking at night. When I get that tingly sensation in my calves in the evening, I spray on magnesium and then apply more moisturizer, and I don't have restless legs at all any more.
Thanks Madie, which magnesium form do you spray? Hmm i don't know if a moisturizer will help me but i can always test it out.
None of these helped me. I can't remember which, possibly the potassium, made me nauseous. I like epsom salt baths, find them relaxing but as far as my RLS goes, it's never helped. However, my rls is fairly severe and I have had it since my teens.
I tried Mirapex two different times and it was extremely helpful but unfortunately after several weeks I would start binge eating, something I have never done.
I tale Clonazepam and Tramadol for the RLS as well as the FM. However the dosage I am on now did not help until my ferritin levels were raised. Supplementation didn't help, bothered my stomach, possibly not absorbing it. I was referred to a hematologist and had an iron infusion. That was over four years ago and my ferritin level is still normal.
I do have to be careful about drinking caffeine later in the day as well as stay on the meds.
Good luck.
Barb
That goes for me too, i drink coffee before PM reaches. I also get more complaints of RSL when i use my antihistaminic meds.