RLS With Muscle Contractions
Posted , 3 users are following.
I am almost 70 years old and have had RLS since my mid-40's. I suffered sleepless nights until ropinerol and mirapex came along. I used ropinerol for a number of years until it was no longer effective for me. My doctor switched me to Mirapex. I no longer have problems sleeping but my RLS seems to have evolved. Now I have painful contractions in my foot and knee in the evening when I sit down to watch TV? First it will be in one leg and then eventually it will move to the other. Once the medication kicks in it goes away. I don't have it every night, but it seems worse when I have been on my feet most of the day and worse in the foot I broke 3 times over the years. Does anyone else have these symptoms?
0 likes, 5 replies
barb30898 linda72661
Posted
Hi Linda,
i too, have lived with RLS for many years, before it had a name.
i'm 78, and have lived with all of this twitching, sometimes painful, discomfort, since childhood.
As the years passed, it became more prevalent, and frequent, and now occurs everyday ( especially if tired, from lack of sleep, or too much salt in food)
i believe you are extremely lucky the meds work for you, and that it is not an everyday occurrence.
Try taking them earlier, before onset.
Out of curiosity, what dosage of MIRAPEX do you use?
BARB
linda72661 barb30898
Posted
Right now I take 0.75 mg 3x a day. I do take them before onset, but it generally still starts up anyway as soon as I sit down in the evening around 7. Some times its mild and lasts for only a short time. But if I have been on my feet much of the day or if I am very tired it can get really bad. The odd thing is that if I go to bed it goes away and I fall asleep right away. Also, if I am out at a social gathering or at a play, for example, my legs won't bother me, although I do take my pill beforehand.
Have you seen a neurologist or other specialist about your RLS or just your regular doctor. I am wondering if it is worth seeing a neurologist. Regular RLS is bad enough, but these painful contractions and leg jerking is horrible.
barb30898 linda72661
Posted
i'm sorry that you are in pain.
i was seeing a neurologist, that was quite helpful, but then we moved to a new area, which is rural, and lacking specialists.
I think it's worth the effort.
lat me know if the doctor helps to resolve your issue.
Barb
Boomiesmom linda72661
Posted
Talk to neurologist about a muscle relaxant. I take Robaxin and have for 50 years. I have to take it along with very low dose of Requip to keep from augmenting. Dr. also added Baclafen recently. Doesn't work as well as Robaxin. But the Robaxin really helps with the muscle spasm and 'jumpies'. I also have to take Norco every night, to knock out the pain. The combination - my cocktail - seems to do the trick. I have to try and take it by 6 p.m. at the latest so it's in my system. If I wait too late and take it just before bed it doesn't seem to do the trick. Then I'm in scalding hot shower on my legs and feet to get pain/spasms under control. Ask about the Robaxin - it does relax the muscles.
Boomiesmom linda72661
Posted
I have had muscle twitching for years. Pain for at least 15+ years along with it. I use Robaxin nightly. It is a muscle relaxant that along with a very mild dose of Requip and often Norco for pain I am able to control the worst of the "jumpies" and pain. I also use Lidocain patches almost nightly in areas that aren't responding to the above. It's for nerve pain and really does help relieve the RLS pain. Does seem this disease gets progressively worse with age. Some will poo poo that pain is involved but it very much is - along with the muscle twitching. I have found my own cocktail that seems to work. Along with almost scalding hot showers (some in the middle of the night). I aim the water at my legs (and even arms are affected at times) and just keep it on as long as possible. In combination with the meds above (sometimes I have to take a second round in middle of night) and the HOT shower - it seems to calm things down. Hope you are able to find something that gives you some relief.