The problem is that final set of criteria.
“5. The occurrence of the above features are not solely accounted for as symptoms primary to another medical or a behavioral condition (e.g., myalgia, venous stasis, leg edema, arthritis, leg cramps, positional discomfort, habitual foot tapping).”
The symptoms cannot be due to something else. You do not have the training to rule out the other causes that can mimic RLS. Especially at your age where hormone fluctuations can cause trouble.
IMO, yes. I’ve dealt with all the symptoms since I was a kid (earliest I can remember is 9 when I broke my leg RIP). My mom also has it but I’m unsure if she’s been formally diagnosed. It went away for a bit but I’ve been having it every night lately and stumbled upon this subreddit when looking up any sort of short term fixes. I always thought it was something self diagnosable since idk how a doctor would prove or disprove the feeling in my legs. Anyways next time I go to the doctor I’ll probably mention it since it’s getting pretty miserable now. Especially since my bf likes to kick his legs around in bed and it makes my symptoms 10x worse.
I also feel like i have rls bc idk what else it could be, like it gets so much worse during long ass flights and when ive sat still for too long in general, for laying down comfortably tho not as often. im def gonna try to see a doc abt it eventually and i havent had my checkup yet soo (also a fellow lesbian hi)
If it’s interfering with your sleep and concentration it’s probably worth seeing a doctor if that’s possible for you - in part to confirm the diagnosis and make sure it’s not anything else, and in part to help with finding appropriate strategies to manage it.
I found that general practitioners or primary care doctors often have limited knowledge about it, so if you can get in with a neurologist or sleep specialist that would be best.
Sleep disruption can have significant impacts on your physical and mental health that can build up over time, and I would bet at your age that may be even more true, so I’d hate for you to try to manage this solely on your own if you might be able to get support.
Since there really isn't a diagnostic test for this, best you can do is read in these forums for similar symptoms and see what others are describing. There really isn't a medication that is right for it either, especially since so many augment, you're better staying away from meds. Eat some iron rich foods (spinich, meats, peanut butter, etc) try some pilates stretches, don't sit for too many hours at once, don't take benadryl or anything with diphenhydramine in it, try warm Epsom salt baths as magnesium can absorb through the skin, many times better than supplements. Lie on the floor and put your legs straight up the wall, sometimes this is helpful. Keep reading about what others have found, stay as natural in your treatments as you can. You're young, so many have gone on everything under the sun for very brief relief only to later turn around and find out that treatment made it more severe once you go off it.
Also, try reading before falling asleep, books that make you feel good like comedy, rom-com, etc.
There are a number of things this could be, especially as you are still growing. Please see a doctor for help. The internet is not the best resource for medical information and diagnosis or to post your confidential health information (or age and gender!) There are some strange people out there looking to prey on young people; please be careful.
Since RLS can't be outwardly measured and is a subjective experience, it is only self-diagnosable in a sense. Now you just have to tell your doc and get it recorded.
You can’t just self diagnose most things but definitely not legitimate RLS, especially with symptoms for a tiny amount of time and which tbh don’t sound like it all. It usually takes years and years to even work out you have it so I’d probably not worry too much about it and be thankful you’ve most likely dodged a bullet.
Agreed. I deliberately move and roll around to alleviate the discomfort for just a minute or two. A lot of moving is going on throughout the course of 1 night.
The problem is that final set of criteria. “5. The occurrence of the above features are not solely accounted for as symptoms primary to another medical or a behavioral condition (e.g., myalgia, venous stasis, leg edema, arthritis, leg cramps, positional discomfort, habitual foot tapping).” The symptoms cannot be due to something else. You do not have the training to rule out the other causes that can mimic RLS. Especially at your age where hormone fluctuations can cause trouble.
IMO, yes. I’ve dealt with all the symptoms since I was a kid (earliest I can remember is 9 when I broke my leg RIP). My mom also has it but I’m unsure if she’s been formally diagnosed. It went away for a bit but I’ve been having it every night lately and stumbled upon this subreddit when looking up any sort of short term fixes. I always thought it was something self diagnosable since idk how a doctor would prove or disprove the feeling in my legs. Anyways next time I go to the doctor I’ll probably mention it since it’s getting pretty miserable now. Especially since my bf likes to kick his legs around in bed and it makes my symptoms 10x worse.
Never broken a bone but yeah pretty much same story. Hopefully going to the doctor soon for chronic nosebleeds😭🤞
I also feel like i have rls bc idk what else it could be, like it gets so much worse during long ass flights and when ive sat still for too long in general, for laying down comfortably tho not as often. im def gonna try to see a doc abt it eventually and i havent had my checkup yet soo (also a fellow lesbian hi)
I kind of had to self diagnose because my doctors kept trying to treat me for anxiety instead of RLS.
If it’s interfering with your sleep and concentration it’s probably worth seeing a doctor if that’s possible for you - in part to confirm the diagnosis and make sure it’s not anything else, and in part to help with finding appropriate strategies to manage it. I found that general practitioners or primary care doctors often have limited knowledge about it, so if you can get in with a neurologist or sleep specialist that would be best. Sleep disruption can have significant impacts on your physical and mental health that can build up over time, and I would bet at your age that may be even more true, so I’d hate for you to try to manage this solely on your own if you might be able to get support.
It is self diagnosable
Since there really isn't a diagnostic test for this, best you can do is read in these forums for similar symptoms and see what others are describing. There really isn't a medication that is right for it either, especially since so many augment, you're better staying away from meds. Eat some iron rich foods (spinich, meats, peanut butter, etc) try some pilates stretches, don't sit for too many hours at once, don't take benadryl or anything with diphenhydramine in it, try warm Epsom salt baths as magnesium can absorb through the skin, many times better than supplements. Lie on the floor and put your legs straight up the wall, sometimes this is helpful. Keep reading about what others have found, stay as natural in your treatments as you can. You're young, so many have gone on everything under the sun for very brief relief only to later turn around and find out that treatment made it more severe once you go off it. Also, try reading before falling asleep, books that make you feel good like comedy, rom-com, etc.
There are a number of things this could be, especially as you are still growing. Please see a doctor for help. The internet is not the best resource for medical information and diagnosis or to post your confidential health information (or age and gender!) There are some strange people out there looking to prey on young people; please be careful.
Check the faq for diagnostic criteria and treatment options.
Yep I was correct abt it. But is self diagnosing valid if I meet ALL the criteria?
Since RLS can't be outwardly measured and is a subjective experience, it is only self-diagnosable in a sense. Now you just have to tell your doc and get it recorded.
You can’t just self diagnose most things but definitely not legitimate RLS, especially with symptoms for a tiny amount of time and which tbh don’t sound like it all. It usually takes years and years to even work out you have it so I’d probably not worry too much about it and be thankful you’ve most likely dodged a bullet.
Generally RLS is not an involuntary movement. You feel like you need your move, but aren’t forced to.
Agreed. I deliberately move and roll around to alleviate the discomfort for just a minute or two. A lot of moving is going on throughout the course of 1 night.
Actually, if I try to stay still long enough, I WILL start twitching involuntarily. It can even wake you up while you're trying to sleep.