Re: Restless Legs-Vit B

[Guest guest]

.. I have the muscle cramps that are terrible. I get them all over back, legs, chest area, hands pretty much everywhere. What do you take for that? I haven't had my potassium levels taken lately. That could be it. What exactly is restless leg syndrome? I have been thinking about that lately because my legs seem to hurt. I saw the commercial but don't know much about that.

Restless leg syndrome is where your legs (and arms) develop a tremor like movement that happens when you are sleeping, or just sitting and resting.

The easiest way to diagnosis this is with a Sleep Study test. This is where they wire you to a bunch of electrodes, and the electrodes measure eye, arm, leg, movement while you sleep. It's also a test used to check for sleep apnea.

I have both the sleep apnea, and RLS. My legs tremor 1000's of times each night, and keep me from getting into the deep sleep cycle that is most important.

I was taking Sinemet but it wasn't seeming to help. I've read a few things about RLS (and Parkinsons) being linked to long-term B vitamin deficiency. They are now thinking that when someone goes long periods without a comprehensive Vit B compound--(it will take supplements, you can't eat that many veges) that it is effecting the dopamine center of the brain. This is the part that we lose if we develop Parkinsons.

Almost every one of the medications that they use to treat sarcoidosis-- has the side effect of wiping out the B vitamins. If you are on Methotrexate, Imuran, Plaquenil or any of the immunosupressants, you need at least 1mg of Folic Acid. Get it by prescription-- so that you know for sure what your taking. (Too much is also dangerous of FA--so don't self medicate.)

As for the other B's--B12, B6, etc-- a good B compound can help. It's important to read up on them-- or consult a pharmacist or Health Food Professional.

If you find that you're getting "hot flashes" after taking your B's--back down until they stop. It's a sign of too much niacin, and although it's not dangerous, it's an uncomfortable feeling. It's like a burning flush thru your body as the blood courses thru your veins. Feels rather weird. LOL!

Also,you can have the MD run a blood test that checks the B vitamin level in your body.

B's have the added advantage of controlling alot of mood issues also, so you might find that it works on that depression and anxiety stuff we all feel from time to time. (Actually, we all know that if we could get our health back, our depression would lift also.)

Just a quick note about depression. Our disease does not cause the depression. The depression we suffer from stems from not getting adequate sleep and rest due to pain, or from finding ourself feeling like no one cares or understands what is happening with us.

More often than not, our MD's will initially tell us that we're depressed. However, it is secondary to the challenges of chronic illness--not primary.

This is important to know- because they will want to put you on an antidepressant if you are experiencing pain and fatigue. This is ok. The antidepressant can help to bring the seratonin and epinephrine hormones in our brains back to sync. so, if it's offered, don't fight it-- but do stand up for yourself, and ask is this to balance the brain chemicals that are out of balance.

Never start more than one medication at a time, and give them time. That way if you have side effects, you can tell what is doing what.

Take care,

Tracie

NS CO-owner/moderator