Restless Leg Syndrome

[catgalla]

Hello everyone. I am just wondering. I have restless leg syndrome and am currently taking requip for it. It's a real pain in the butt sometimes. It's not painful it just makes you feel like you constantly have to stretch your legs or walk around. Has anyone else experienced this and do you think it's diabetes related?? Thanks :)

[txrdr75765]

Cathy, I had it during a year of dialysis. I never got the confirmed answer, but it went away when I got an additional kidney. Larry

[catgalla]

I don't think it's my kidney because there hasn't been any protein in my urinalysis. Maybe it's not related. Thanks.

Well I hope you are now better with another kidney. I'm just curious, what is like being on dialysis?? :o

[txrdr75765]

the worst you can imagine..It made me regret every single day as a teen not addressing diabetes. I'm a road bike rider, and could be 5mph faster than i am now If I'd not been stupid. Larry
ps. I did peritoneal for a year and hemo for the second year, but I could still ride and ski..L

[catgalla]

Wow Larry that really sucks!! That's the thing about this disease though, you feel fine and then one day WHAM!! It's hard for everyone I think the severity of this until you go through an ordeal like you did. I'm telling you since I've been on this website it's woken me up a lot.

My son, who's 6, was diagnosed at age 4 and he's pumping too. But I'm more aggressive with his care than my own. Go figure.

[PinCushion]

I have had it on a few occassions, not often enough to seek medical advice for it. However, my grandmother suffers from it (and is too stubborn to take medication) She has mentioned that putting a cold rag over her legs helps. Not really sure what the cause is, my guess is it has something to do with blood circulation and could therefor be diabetes related...?? Best of luck to you in solving it though, I can't imagine having to deal with that on a regular basis.

[blue_eyed_devil]

i don't know much about it, but a patient once told me that coldness (like cool concrete or a cold bath) helped it for her...

i have no idea if it is diabetes related!!!

[nneighbour]

It's not necessarily diabetes related as my mother has it quite bad and is not diabetic. I also had a terrible bout with it about two years ago (I was diagnosed this Jan). They say that exercise helps, but quite frankly I tried very long walks and kicking in the water for long periods of time to no avail. My mom uses clonazepam to treat it, you may want to look into that.

Good luck, I know it's probably the most frustrating medical condition I've ever had.

[BriOnH]

Cathy, I had it during a year of dialysis. I never got the confirmed answer, but it went away when I got an additional kidney. Larry

How has the trasplant taking Larry? Were you on hemo or peritineal dialysis?

I have RLS but would never take meds for it. 2 of my sisters have it too. I think it helps me stay thin. I am always moving about. I also think its good for the circulation in my legs.

[mark-TN]

I had severe RLS before getting my BGs under control. I’m convinced mine was totally caused by diabetic neuropathy. Strange sensations in my lower legs caused me to move them constantly when sitting or laying down. It drove me crazy and I could never enjoy a moment to sit still and relax because I was always rubbing my lower legs together. My feet just never stopped and it was much worse at night. I had many other diabetic induced problems that affected my sleep but the RLS at night had to be the most annoying. I fell asleep rubbing my feet together and I woke up with them rubbing together. Less than two weeks after starting the low carb diet that helped me get my BG’s in line, the RLS went away. That was 4 years ago, and to this day I am still amazed that I can lie in bed, sit in a chair, or relax on the couch without the urge to constantly move my legs or rub my feet together.

Mark

[murphysl]

A magnesium supplement called "calm" and b-vitamins helped me. My mother (a type 2) was helped after she took an Ultra Potassium supplement made by source naturals. In my case and in my mothers case it seemed to be related to a mineral deficiency/imbalance. IF that was the case, then I think it might be related to diabetes. I was once told that diabetics tend to lose minerals as their bodies are trying to get rid of sugar--in other words, minerals are "washed out" along with the excess sugar. This might also fit the theory of it being related to neuropathy, as I have read that some minerals do play a role in proper nerve function.

[BriOnH]

Funny you should say that Mark. My bgl's have been just awful lately. I have been so stressed with finding work (I found it, but changing environments has been extremely stressfull for me) it has done a real number on me. I have noticed as well my RLS has been wose with running so high these past few weeks.

[caswellhb]

I have asked docs and tried several treatments for RLS. I even get it during the day in my arms and legs.
At night I find damp sport's socks useful.

Heather.