Oh boy, it’s going to be another one of those nights. Restless leg syndrome is one of those things that in the bane of my existence. For those who don’t have this syndrome it usually comes on at night, and you have the compulsion to move your legs. Thankfully it doesn’t come on too frequently but when it does it means another sleepless night.
Does anyone else here have this syndrome? How do you cope with it?
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Hi @MikeW.
That sounds awful and must be so frustrating. I’m assuming that nothing can be done to treat this or ease it?
I really hope it doesn’t last to long and tomorrow is a good nights sleep!
Please let us know how you get on 
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Hi @MikeW
Sorry to hear you’re having an unpleasant time with restless leg syndrome - to have it regularly must be awful, and must drive you potty.
I get it just a couple of times a year, and it is such a weird and unpleasant feeling. It’s like there’s a faint electrical current buzzing along my leg nerves, which makes me want to kick my legs - which is exactly what I do, unfortunately for the cat. I think I get it mildly, because it doesn’t last all the night - but it does delay dropping off to sleep.
Because I have it so rarely, I have never investigated treatments. Would it be worth chatting to your GP or looking up if a vitamin or mineral supplement helps? And because movement seems to be the urge, I’ve also wondered if a lack of movement during the day has triggered it?
Hope you find a solution (and share it with me!)
All the best.
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Hello @MikeW. I really do sympathise with you. I have had restless legs for years. I spoke to my now retired GP who started me on a low dose of Ropinirole to take just before I go to bed. It works well and prevents the restless legs. Occasionally I forget to take it and I really notice the difference. The only downside is that it gives me rather vivid dreams. This is a common side effect, so I am told, so it’s a case of choosing between the two! Hope this helps. Warm wishes, Willow x
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Hi @Willow, thanks for that info.
In one way I’m quite fortunate in as much as I don’t get it too often, but when RLS looms on the horizon I just know it’s going to be a long night. In the past I’ve taken iron supplements which I was prescribed by my doctor, I can’t really say that was of any noticeable improvement but since moving away to another area I haven’t carried on taking it. The next time I see my GP I’ll ask her advice and get her views on Ropinirole and see if it would benefit me and if it would clash with any of my other prescribed medicines I’m currently taking.
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Well I managed to fall asleep around 4am but was fully awake again at 6am. 
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Oh that’s awful @MikeW. I hope you can have a snooze today and speak to your new GP soon about Ropinirole.
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Oh @MikeW anything that affected my sleep to that extent is definitely worth checking out with your GP, specialist nurse or consultant in my book !!
Please do stress their severity and effect on your whole quality of life
Please do let us know how you get on and be kind to yourself today…
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A nap may be needed today then!
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I’ve just come across something on YouTube that I might have a go at. It’s called Urge Surfing Urge Surfing Meditation - YouTube
If it helps, great, if it doesn’t then what’s the harm in trying.
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I find these meditation/self hypnosis tracks extremely helpful @MikeW. I used a few to keep positive and sane throughout my chemo. I hope you find this helps.
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Hello @MikeW,
I’m sorry that you’re losing so much sleep to restless leg syndrome (RLS). There’s nothing more exhausting 
I sometimes get RLS in the evenings when watching TV. It’s the weirdest thing because my legs just get an energy of their own and it feels so uncomfortable.
I’ve recently been having reflexology to help with peripheral neuropathy and I find it seems to help with the restless legs too: for me I’m not sure how much the two things (PN and RLS) are related but I never used to get the restless legs before being on myeloma treatment.
I also find I’ve been sleeping better since having the reflexology too. Some cancer centres offer it free to patients - unfortunately not in my local area - but it’s worth checking if it’s something that would appeal to you. The lady who I go to was perviously a nurse and works with a lot of cancer patients. She has done quite a lot of additional training.
I hope that your GP will give you good advice and that you will find something that helps you very soon.
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Hi @Coastgirl it seems to be a bit of an oxymoron to link peripheral neuropathy and restless leg syndrome doesn’t it? I also have PN and have been prescribed Tramadol to ease the symptoms. When I feel the signs of RLS coming on I find that a couple of preemptive Tramadol can take the edge off. I also have one of those Revitive Medic machines which can be good for both symptoms. O
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Hi my name is caz i have suffered with this condition for yrs , i have been put on ropinirole.
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Hi @MikeW
I have similar problem yet seems mild. Its maybe since I was 15 maybe. I used to move my legs in a tuition and whole bench used to shake and other girls used yo complain… I have this problem in nights but it eventually makes me sleep. So I don’t have it that worse as your sleepless night sound.
Qus: Do you have any blood disorder and is it connected issue?
I am recently diagnosed with monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) and do you if it might related and should tell hematologist same?
Thanks,
Ss
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Hi @Swara,
Fortunately I don’t get this too often, it usually comes on shortly before I go to bed and I take a couple of Tramadol (prescribed for my peripheral neuropathy) and this seems to help a bit.
You asked if I have and blood disorder, yes I have Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) but this in no way linked with restless leg syndrome. I hope that answers your concerns and welcome to the forum.
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Hi @Caz1 I think I’m quite fortunate in as much as I don’t get it too often, it means I know it’s going to be a long sleepless night. As I am retired it doesn’t matter so much as I can afford to catch up with some sleep during the day.
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Hi Mike i have it.
Its horrendous isnt it .
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