Restless Legs

[Guest guest]

,

You might want to look up " Restless Legs Syndrome " because that might be

what it was. I had it when I was pregnant and it nearly drove me wild!

Here's some info from the " Restless Legs Syndrome " foundation (and note the

connection to ADHD)...

Caroline

Primary features of RLS

Adults with RLS must have all four of these primary features for diagnosis.

· The primary RLS symptoms involve a strong urge to move the legs

that may become irresistible. This sensation of an urge to move the legs is

usually associated with other uncomfortable sensations described as

occurring deep in the legs and usually involves a sense of movement

occurring in the leg. These are usually very uncomfortable feelings and in

a minority of patients may be described as painful. Some words used to

describe these sensations include creeping, itching, pulling, creepy-crawly

or tugging. When the uncomfortable sensations occur they are linked to the

urge to move the leg, but many patients do not report any sensation aside

from the need to move the leg. (These sensations may also occasionally occur

in the arms or rarely in other body parts.)

· The RLS symptoms start or become worse when the afflicted

individual is at rest. The longer the period of rest the more likely the

symptoms will occur and the more severe they will become.

· The RLS symptoms are reduced by voluntary movement of the affected

extremities. This relief can be complete or only partial, generally starts

immediately or soon after the onset of activity and persists as long as the

motor activity continues. Walking is the preferred activity, particularly

for the more severely affected patients. Increased motor activity during

periods of rest and during sleep commonly occurs with this disorder.

· The RLS symptoms are worse in the evening and at night, especially

when the individual lies down. (Sitting or lying down in the morning does

not produce RLS symptoms as severe as those with sitting or lying down at

night.)

Research into the cause of RLS is ongoing and answers are limited, but we do

think that RLS may have different but perhaps overlapping causes.

RLS often runs in families. Researchers are currently looking for the gene

or genes that may be responsible for this form of RLS, known as primary or

familial RLS.

RLS may be the result of another condition, which, when present, worsens the

underlying RLS. This is called secondary RLS. During pregnancy, particularly

during the last few months, up to 15% of women develop RLS. After delivery,

their symptoms often vanish. Anemia and low levels of iron in the blood are

associated with symptoms of RLS, as are chronic conditions such as

peripheral neuropathy (damage to the nerves in the legs and feet) and kidney

failure. Recent literature also points toward an association between RLS and

symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

If you have no family history of RLS and no underlying or associated

conditions causing the disorder, your RLS is said to be idiopathic, meaning

without a known cause.

> On 8/27/03 11:39 AM, " " <thecolemans4@...> wrote:

> my legs would feel very

> " uncomfortable " with a sensation I don't know how to

> describe, but the only thing that will ease it is

> climbing, leaping, deep-tissue massage, stretching,

> and best of all, lifting weights.

[Guest guest]

Gretchen,

Thank you so much. I looked up restless legs and that described

exactly what I've been experiencing. I'm going to talk to my doctors

about it. Do you know where I can find the latest list of meds that

conflict with CMT. I saw one list in the files that was dated 2005 is

that the latest and greatest. Again thanks so much! This forum is

awesome!!!

Winndy