THE WEARINESS OF FATIGUE IS MORE THAN FEELING TIRED
Today I want to sleep. I want to go to sleep and never wake up. To luxuriate in the endless bliss of […]
Category: Sleep Disorders
AGING WITH RLS: THE LADY IN THE PURPLE HAT
We’re all getting older. This is a shared human experience – whether we want it or not. Caring for my grandmother as she gently floated to the magnificent age of 98 and two thirds, I became aware that older people seem to be more exaggerated versions of their younger selves.
GOING MENTAL: THE IMPACT OF INSOMNIA ON MY MENTAL HEALTH
This is the story of a woman who went mad. Lack of sleep will do that to you. When I was a baby I didn’t sleep fantastically well. Things haven’t improved.
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS: SLEEPING ALONGSIDE SLEEP APNEA
My husband has sleep apnea. He has both central sleep apneas (CSA) and obstructive sleep apneas (OSA). When he had his sleep study done, it showed […]
SO WHAT DO YOU ‘DO’ IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT
Even with well medicated restless legs syndrome (RLS), I’m often awake and twiddling my thumbs during the night. Wondering what to do with myself.
DRIVING ME NUTS: STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING RLS IN A CAR
In order to go away for a delightful break, I have to get there. And that involves some sort of transportation – in this case, a car. Just thinking about having to travel in a vehicle induces an anxiety response – increased heart rate, shallow breathing, messy headspace and a nervous jiggle.
A WINDOW INTO MY WORLD OF RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME
How easy is it to talk about restless legs syndrome? To try and describe the indescribable sensations. To talk about treatments that do and don’t work. And to look at the impact it has on everyday lives, every single day. But what does it look like? Today I want to give you a little window into my world of wiggly legs.
DON’T TELL ME NOT TO TAKE MY MEDICATIONS
There are many conditions where friends and family encourage you wholeheartedly to take whatever treatment options are prescribed by health professionals. Illnesses like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, asthma, cancer. There are some conditions, however, where people you know and love, and sometimes people you’ve barely even met, have a robust opinion on how you should look after your own health and wellbeing.
WAKEFUL REST: 5 SELFCARE TIPS ON EXHAUSTED DAYS
Sleep. My elusive bed partner. How tiresome it is, when the thing you want most, is the thing you get least. Today […]
HOW HYPERAROUSAL IMPACTS MY INSOMNIA
I’m aroused all the time. And not in a way that excites my husband. In November 2018, I took myself off for […]
WHICH IS IT? RESTLESS LEGS OR ANXIETY?
I have severe restless legs syndrome (RLS). Fatigue Trouble sleeping Muscle tension or muscle aches Trembling, feeling twitchy Nervousness or being easily startled Sweating […]
ONCE UPON A TIME: THE NIGHT I FORGOT MY MEDICATIONS
Once upon a time, I forgot to take my medication. I will never forget that night. I have lived with restless legs syndrome (RLS) […]
AGONY AUNT: PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS WITH MY RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME
There are many of us out there who experience the agony of restless legs syndrome (RLS). There are also many of us who suffer from other mental and/or physical conditions. Finding solutions – both pharmacological and supplementary – that ease RLS concurrently with other conditions can be problematic. And I speak from personal experience.
INTO THE NIGHT: IMSONMIA 101
Insomnia – from the Latin insomnis, that translates to “not sleeping”: in meaning “no” and somnis meaning “sleep.” I think that sums it up nicely – no […]
OH, WHAT A FEELING! THE SENSATIONS OF RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME
Tiger beetles. I think they win the prize for the best explanation of my restless legs syndrome (RLS). Moreso than any other description I’ve […]