non incontinence medical question
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I have had RLS since about 1998. I have spent all that time as a member of the RLS Foundation: rls.org
Not only am I a paying member, but I donate above and beyond every year. They offer an enormous amount of information to both patients and professionals. They spend lots of money on research and political awareness. They even have regular "Webinars" available for members. They also have free scholarships available for those who can't afford $35/year. They have a user group similar to this one.
RLS and PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Disorder) are VERY complex disorders that manifest differently in people. They have many possible causes and many possible treatments.
In my case, the onset came after a kidney stone surgery. It started one night as I was watching TV. I felt like something was alive in my thigh muscles. I jumped out of bed and started doing knee bends. That worked, but the sensation became worse and more frequent. Then it attacked my chest and arms while I was at work.
Most doctors don't know much about RLS/PLMD and they just prescribe FDA drugs for the symptoms. Unfortunately, most drugs will eventually lead to "augmentation". That is, the medications cause the condition to start sooner and last longer as the dose is increased. That is what happened to me.
The Lord rescued me with other chronic pain problems. That may seem odd to hear me say that I was rescued by chronic pain, but I was prescribed pain meds. I discovered while taking those painkillers that RLS was not a problem. It was many years later that research discovered that these pain meds are a valid treatment for RLS/PLMD, and they don't cause augmentation.
RLS is such a terrible sensation that too many people have taken their own lives. I am so thankful to God that I discovered the RLS Foundation where I could learn about the problem and how it should be treated.
It's estimated that about 10% have this problem. Many people are afraid to talk to their doctors, and many have been misdiagnosed and mistreated.
Not only am I a paying member, but I donate above and beyond every year. They offer an enormous amount of information to both patients and professionals. They spend lots of money on research and political awareness. They even have regular "Webinars" available for members. They also have free scholarships available for those who can't afford $35/year. They have a user group similar to this one.
RLS and PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Disorder) are VERY complex disorders that manifest differently in people. They have many possible causes and many possible treatments.
In my case, the onset came after a kidney stone surgery. It started one night as I was watching TV. I felt like something was alive in my thigh muscles. I jumped out of bed and started doing knee bends. That worked, but the sensation became worse and more frequent. Then it attacked my chest and arms while I was at work.
Most doctors don't know much about RLS/PLMD and they just prescribe FDA drugs for the symptoms. Unfortunately, most drugs will eventually lead to "augmentation". That is, the medications cause the condition to start sooner and last longer as the dose is increased. That is what happened to me.
The Lord rescued me with other chronic pain problems. That may seem odd to hear me say that I was rescued by chronic pain, but I was prescribed pain meds. I discovered while taking those painkillers that RLS was not a problem. It was many years later that research discovered that these pain meds are a valid treatment for RLS/PLMD, and they don't cause augmentation.
RLS is such a terrible sensation that too many people have taken their own lives. I am so thankful to God that I discovered the RLS Foundation where I could learn about the problem and how it should be treated.
It's estimated that about 10% have this problem. Many people are afraid to talk to their doctors, and many have been misdiagnosed and mistreated.
Archives1
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@laalaauk As we discussed about a month ago, I did ask my psychiatrist to prescribe Amitriptylene but he wouldn’t do it because he knows my greatest fear is weight gain. He said it’s a huge weight gainer for most people.
I really like Tramadol. I was prescribed it with my recent knee surgery. I still have a lot of pain on my tibial plateau. I sure wish I could get more Tramadol. I think it works better than a real opiate.
I really like Tramadol. I was prescribed it with my recent knee surgery. I still have a lot of pain on my tibial plateau. I sure wish I could get more Tramadol. I think it works better than a real opiate.
Archives1
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Hi Snow, it was a good thing your psychiatrist wouldn't give you Amitriptylene because once you gain weight it is usually very hard to lose it again! And even if someone watches what they eat and avoids "bad" foods, weight gain can still be a stubborn issue. So it's better to avoid something like that altogether!
Archives1
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@snow Well at least I have an excuse from blaming the Mars bars!
You gotta go with what's right for you at the end of the day. I honestly don't feel any benefit from taking Tramadol but if I miss a dose, boy do I feel the pain so it definitely works.
Much love to you from the other side of the pond. xxx
You gotta go with what's right for you at the end of the day. I honestly don't feel any benefit from taking Tramadol but if I miss a dose, boy do I feel the pain so it definitely works.
Much love to you from the other side of the pond. xxx
Archives1
Staff member
HI everyone, just a quick update. I have started eating bananas now, you know it's just a matter of getting into the habit of buying and fitting them onto your menu. And last night I wasn't awakened by cramps. But I hope I'm not speaking too soon. Got some more bananas today so we'll see what happens!
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