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MDS with anemia and RLS

This topic has 4 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 15 years, 3 months ago by Mary4Mike.

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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December 23, 2008 at 9:22 pm #21723

plantcollector
Member

Does anyone with anemia also have RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome)? There have been two times that I had transfusions and my HGB went up to 10. I noticed that both times my RLS improved. I do take Requip, but still have the symptoms of RLS on a daily basis. I have read that perhaps there is a connection between anemia and RLS. Any information on this?? Thanks.

December 24, 2008 at 2:32 am #21724

Zoe
Member

Interesting. I have no clue, but I have occassional symptoms of RLS, they have been increasing lately and for what it is worth, my hgb has been decreasing–went from 10 to 9 in two weeks.

Zoe

January 10, 2009 at 4:19 am #21725

LynnI
Participant

This is very interesting, I had RLS which was really bothering me, but I never mentioned it to my doc. This was before I was dx with MDS. For the last couple of years the RLS was terrible, but I haven’t had it for months. Actually I hadn’t given it much thought, until I saw this thread. At this point my hemoglobins are high end normal.
Very interesting……..

January 10, 2009 at 1:45 pm #21726

plantcollector
Member

Thanks for your response. I have read that RLS may be connected to a number of things. One is anemia and another is low iron. My RLS started
before I was diagnosed with MDS, but of course can have MDS long before it is detected. I am glad to hear that your RLS has improved along with your hemoglobin. I continue to hope the RLS might improve when I begin Revlimid and the red counts improve. I take Requip for the RLS, but even at 2 or 3 pills a day I still have some VERY troublesome bouts with my legs jerking. I know it is nothing like a life-threatening condition, but it certainly is hard to deal with sometimes. It would be great if Revlimid turned out to be a two-fer for me: improve amemia and help with my RLS. Thanks again for posting.

January 11, 2009 at 12:14 am #21727

Mary4Mike
Participant

Two alternative things you might want to consider are low potassium levels and/or taking a vitamin E supplement. Of course ask your doc first and perhaps have your potassium levels checked. I know that if I go off my E for a few days, I have leg jerking, cramping, etc. Of course, I don’t have MDS, but it might be worth asking your doc if it would hurt to give it a try. Most docs would rather write a RX than try something natural, but hopefully yours is open minded. BUT I would ask first.

Best of luck,
Mary
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