Conquering Restless Leg Syndrome without drugs
How I learned to live with RLS without prescription drugs by adapting my lifestyle.
I had no choice. It was impossible to live with RLS and equally impossible to live with the side effects of prescription drugs. As a result I had to discover how this condition occurred and develop was of eliminating its effects.
I dedicate this website to my wife who dragged me to the doctors and then dragged me out again! Dragging me into the doctors was more to do with her trying to get a good night’s sleep rather than help me find a cure. You see, not only did I have restless legs but also periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). PLMD would mean that I would periodically move my legs whilst I was asleep. To Linda thank you for working with me on beating this condition. This is sometimes known as Repetitive Limb Movement Disorder (RLMD)
For years, gradually my sleep patterns started to deteriorate. I would be waking up earlier and earlier. It would not be uncommon be waking up between 4 and 5 AM to start work. This is a constant danger for any individual who works from home. Had numerous conversations with individuals that say to me how difficult they find you working at home. For me have never found it difficult at all. In fact, the exact opposite.
This was a bad habit and I realise now that it must have contributed to my condition.
I lived with the condition for more than three years before seeking medical advice. It started off very gradually and always in the evenings. I would be sitting watching the TV and the gnawing pain is would start. I would rub my legs to try and stop the discomfort. This would only give momentary relief. I would be constantly moving my legs, crossing them and uncrossing them. You would be a bit like doing an Irish jig, but sitting down! When it got really bad, I would be hitting my thighs, as the pain generated would actually be less uncomfortable than the symptoms of RLS.
What prompted me to seek medication was not my RLS but my Repetitive Limb Movement Disorder, RLMD. I was oblivious to what was happening but my wife couldn’t stand it anymore and insisted that if I did not go to the doctors that we would have to sleep in separate beds.
My RLMD took many forms.
The Cricket
Soon after I went to sleep I would start rubbing the inside of my legs. This would be at intervals of between five and 20 seconds. If I started at five second intervals I will continue for a long time at that pace. Similarly, if it was every 15 seconds then again I would repeat it like a metronome. My wife would be lying in bed counting the seconds and anticipating the next rub.
The Shudder
The shutter to perform my whole body shuddering violently soon after I went to sleep. This would occur only a few times and then the shuddering would stop.
The Lift
The lift was similar to the cricket. I would lift either my left or right leg at intervals of between five and 20 seconds. Again, if I started at, say a 10 second interval, I will continue to maintain that interval for hours at a time.
When my wife told me of my nocturnal habits I was amazed. I’ve always had a good internal clock. I could for example tell myself to wake up at 5:30 AM and I would do so within the minute and without the use of any alarm clock.
My wife would use various techniques to stop me from performing my repetitive routines. She would poke me on my side. This either did not work or would simply wake me up. I would go back to sleep again and continue the routine as if nothing has happened.
The other technique that she used this to count up to the time when I would be lifting up my leg and should put both her legs on top of mine. This did not work. She was amazed that I could lift up my leg and her two legs whilst I was still fast asleep.