Introduction Joan/Connie

[Guest guest]

Hi, Joan,

Welcome to the group. Please don't let this recent uproar in the group make

you paranoid about the size of your letters. Say what you want to

say........especially about RLS or PLMD. It's not like you're talking about

the weather or something! We want and need to hear what you are going

through and what you are doing about it.

I'm glad to hear that Sinemet is helping you to sleep better. You are

extremely fortunate here. Sinemet did nothing for me. It is not the

ultimate answer to our problem, but from what I have gathered, it is a good

place to start. It seems that not taking too much is very important with

Sinemet. If your dosage gets above a certain level..(I do not know the

number here) you risk having augmentation or rebound. I believe the time

you take your medication can also be important Stick with it as long as you

can, and if it stops working, check with the group and your doctor to see

what you think you should replace it with or add to it.

I would work on all other elements also.......good sleep habits, checking

ferritin level, sufficient vitamin intake, finding out if you are caffeine

sensitive, to exercise or not, etc.

I believe it is also important to develop your " crutches " and have them ready

at all times. Find a pleasant, relaxing tea.........not one with a stimulant

in it, and check the ingredients of your teas.......(ginseng is a

stimulant)......consider warm baths or showers and aromatherapy with some

lavender, perhaps, or whatever you like......and most important of all for me

is to have some things lined up to do when I have to hop out of bed in the

middle of the night. It is important, I think, to get up as soon as you feel

problems coming on. Once it takes hold, it can be much harder to recover.

I try to have something interesting to read, even if I have to do it standing

up. I always have a hobby or craft thing going that I can concentrate on to

take my mind off of my misery. I can usually even go on line, either

standing up or sitting on the edge of my chair......this way you can write

letters, surf the net, play games.....whatever............ .concentrating

seems to really help a lot of us.

Quite often just some extra strength tylenol will help to quiet your legs if

it isn't too bad. Don't get into too much of the stronger meds until you

really need it. Of course, if you have to get up and drive a car to work and

function all day, it certainly is important for you to take whatever steps

you need to in order to get some decent sleep.

Thank you for writing ......we look forward to hearing more from you.

Connie, 62, MD