First-timer here

[Guest guest]

Hello All

> >

> > Since I am a first timer here I'll probably sound as disjointed as our

mutual affliction!! I have to say I was THRILLED and amazed to find you all

here on the NET. I've thought for so many years that I was just an

aberration of all things normal. I can remember from waaaaaay back being

punished for not sitting still, for bouncing my legs, or swinging my leg,

tapping pencils, drumming my fingers, etceteras, etceteras, etceteras!! You

all seem to know this story.

> >

I have been conscious of specific symptoms (the " crawly " feeling in my

thighs and lower legs) for some years now, but have only been being treated

for it for about 4 years. Finally had gone to the doctor about it after my

first really bad episode that rendered me sleepless for almost a month.

Since I have to work, that was taking an obviously high toll on my health

in general. I take 1 mg of Lorazepam in the evening before bedtime and it

has helped me tremendously.

When my GP left practice to teach, and I had to choose a new physician, I

was due for a refill on my med. The new chap, without seeing me, changed

the medication to Alprazolam (sp) because he felt that Lorazepam would have

an addictive side effect, especially after long term use. I figured, what

the heck, I'll give it a try....OH BOY....after a week of sleeplessness, I

had to make an appointment to see him. Three days later, when I told him

the REASON I was taking the medication, he immediately said he would put me

right back on the Lorazepam, that the Alprazolam would not touch my problem.

In the past few months I have begun to notice an increase in bothersome RLS

symptoms during the day in my legs and now in my arms as well. My skin is

also super sensitive and I have the sensation of itching almost constantly.

I have had what I can describe as a " stiff neck " now also for about 2

months with no letup at all. My joints, particularly elbows, wrists, and

fingers have begun to ache constantly, where it used to be mostly in my

hips, legs and feet. To add to the dilemma, I have begun to put on weight

at an alarming rate, with no noticeable increase in food intake, nor change

in type of foods I eat. (I do have an appointment with my GP in a week

or so, and will be discussing all this with him then)

I work at a sedentary job in accounts payable, so I SIT most of the

day. I know this is not good for me, yet even when I go home I don't push

myself to get the exercise that I know I need. Though I do get my knee

bends and stretching on the nights that I have RLS episodes that keep me

awake.

I have just recently discovered the my older brother has RLS and has

finally gotten started on treatment. He was amazed that I have it too

and that it has a NAME!! I have known for some years that my dad has the

disorder also, and we have commiserated with one another at times...before

we knew that we were not unique. I am going to discuss this with my younger

brother to see if he has it also. I have 3 children, sons 37 and 35, and a

daughter 33. I don't know if they suffer from it yet either, but will now

survey them also. My daughter has dealt with Hyperactivity ADD, and

Dyslexia (as I did also) and it would not surprise me if she has RLS. She

is very active though, still participating in recreational volleyball and

softball leagues and rides a bike in good weather and walks daily. She is

probably doing all the good things to help her out (unlike me, hehehe)

I'd be interested to hear from any of you regarding the new symptoms if you

have similar ones or think they could be a part of RLS.

Oh...since I forgot to tell you at the start...I am a 57 year old

female, originally from Massachusetts and now living for the past 17 years

in the Orlando Florida area.

Thank you all for being here and for listening AND for being able to

UNDERSTAND!!!

Judith