MY INSOMNIA STORY
Sleep and I have not been friends for a very long time
Tag: restless legs syndrome
IF THE SHOE FITS… IMPULSE CONTROL & PRAMIPEXOLE
Once upon a time, I bought a pair of shoes. I bought a pair of shoes at 3 AM and when they arrived, I didn’t remember buying them. At the time of this unfortunate shoe-purchasing incident, I’d been taking pramipexole for around 5 years. I’d had no side effects and had yet to experience any augmentation (that would come later).
MOMENTARY RELIEF FOR PART 1: STRETCHES FOR MY RESTLESS LEGS
One of the first, and most prolific, things I do when my restless legs are restless, is to stretch. I find stretching offers wonderful – albeit very short-lived – relief and is something I can do anywhere, anytime.
MY RLS ISN’T HELPED BY COMMUNITY OPINION
Having restless legs syndrome (RLS) is not fun. It is, in fact, a right royal pain in the proverbial. I have it, so I know. The creepy crawly, wriggly jiggly, itchy painful sensations can be there all day and all night long, causing significant disruption to quality of life.
RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME: SO MUCH MORE THAN RESTLESS LEGS
When most people think of restless legs syndrome (RLS), they immediately assume it’s about having a sensation of restlessness in the legs. That is after all, what the syndrome is commonly called.
MOMENTARY RELIEF PART 2: EVEN MORE STRETCHES FOR MY RESTLESS LEGS
Let’s start by saying restless legs syndrome (RLS) is no fun. The irritating and incessant sensations beneath the surface, leading to an irritating and incessant need to move, is tiresome. It impacts sleep and restricts activities where being confined or staying still is essential.
A VERY WRIGGLY CHRISTMAS
The silly season is upon us, in all its gold and green, red and silver finery. There’s tinsel and wreaths and candles. Everything’s shiny and scented, and it’s a very messy, merry time of year. And all that mess makes my legs wriggle more.
REST, RELAX & REJUVENATE
Type “How To Relax” into Google and you’ll find 39,300,000 results. Clearly, relaxation has become something us twenty-first-century folk need a lot of help with.
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 […]
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.
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.
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 […]
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 […]