RLS: Good URL and doc visit

[Guest guest]

I highly recommend Prevention Magazine's pages on restless leg syndrome.

Check it out: http://www.healthyideas.com/healing/vitamin/restlesslegs/

Keep reading each page and then click the link at the bottom of the page

for more info. When you get to the page on coffee...you've reached the

end.

It's a relatively quick read, with lots of good points. Might be

especially good for newcomers to the group, but also good for people like

myself, who are taking a lot of supplements and need to re-evaluate our

programs from time to time.

BTW...speaking of re-evaluation....I actually went to a new doctor and got

a physical today. YEP. You read that correctly. And the great news

is...he seems like an EXCELLENT doctor. He looked down my list of health

conditions, and the things I'm taking for RLS, and he said, " Yep,

yep,yep...WOW...you're doing all the right things for RLS! That's amazing! "

He discussed several of the medications, which I was familiar with already,

thanks to all of you. And we tended to agree on which ones were more

likely than not to help, with the least side effects. The man was

knowledgeable! And I held my own, discussing the meds.

Did I get a script for a medication? Moi?????? Nope. Didn't want to

spoil my reputation in the group. *smirk* LOL BUT, I'm going in on

Wednesday for some blood tests, and I'm specifically having my ferritin,

B-12, and folate levels checked. Barbara...are you reading this????

There ARE times when this group irritates the heck out of me, and probably

CAUSES my RLS....but I have to tell you, after 10 months with you guys....I

felt like one VERY well prepared patient.

One little story, that may give you a laugh....if you take it in the right

context...The doctor kept referring to how frustrating RLS is for people,

and he even referred to it as a disease...stressing how serious it is. I

even offered that I thought it was anxiety based, for me, (mentioning how

paying my bills helps)...but he said, " That may help sometimes, but it's

not the whole answer. " But, he also said the medicines are so difficult

to prescribe and get working correctly for the right person with the right

variables...so it's just a guessing game, still, and basically an attempt

to get people the sleep they need, so they can go back to battling it on

their own, with the tricks we've all learned along the way. Well, there

was one lady patient...with a bad case of RLS. He put her on meds...he

sent her to a neurologist...he talked to her...gave her information...but

she just kept in panic mode. In fact, she was calling him twice a day

complaining, from her nursing job at the hospital. He finally said,

" That's all I know to do. I'm not saying there's not more...but I'm not

aware of anything more I can do to help. But, if it helps to talk to

someone....call your mother, not me...it's cheaper. "

At first, when I heard this, I didn't know if I should think he was rude

and short fused, or not. But then, I realized he was just saying how

absolutely frustrating this is. ly, calling MY mother, can cause RLS.

LOL But, once again....whatever works. At least he knows his

limitations and has a sense of humor. We need THAT!

Sleep well,

Jill, 46

Payson, AZ

http://www.netzone.com/~gunzel/rls.html