Fibromyalgia and Restless Leg Syndrome

Written By: Fibromyalgia Treating

Published Date: December 22, 2014 Last Edited: December 22, 2014

Many times, individuals suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome also suffer from an array of sleep disorders. Restless leg syndrome is one of the most common sleep disorders that individuals with fibromyalgia suffer from.

In fact, one study showed that sixty-four percent of patients with fibromyalgia also reported suffering from restless leg syndrome.

Nearly everyone: physicians, researchers, and even individuals suffering from fibromyalgia syndrome will tell you this: the better quality sleep you can get, the better off you will be- your symptoms of fibromyalgia will be so much less bothersome. However, it’s really a catch-22. It can be nearly impossible to get good quality sleep when you’re suffering from the pain and other symptoms of fibromyalgia- it’s much easier said than done.

However, it is possible to get good quality sleep, no matter how much pain you’re in with your fibromyalgia. The very first step to getting better sleep is to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment for any of your sleep disorders. This will typically involve a sleep study.

What Exactly is Restless Leg Syndrome?

Restless leg syndrome is a disorder that is characterized by a weird sensation in your legs. This typically consists of burning, tugging, crawling, or creeping. You may barely notice these sensations at times, then at other times, these feelings can be nearly unbearable. In most cases, these sensations will start when you’re trying to relax. This means that they can either keep you from being able to fall asleep or even wake you up during the night- both of which can cause you to be completely exhausted and cause you to have a very difficult time functioning.

Restless leg syndrome is a neurological disorder, and at this time, it is not known exactly what causes it. In some cases, it could be a genetic disorder or perhaps it is related to one of the following conditions:

Pregnancy (can be most severe in the last trimester)
Anemia
Chronic conditions such as:
1. Diabetes
2. Kidney failure
3. Parkinson’s disease
4. Peripheral neuropathy

Why Are Fibromyalgia and Restless Leg Syndrome Connected?

At this time, the medical community is not sure of the underlying causes of either restless leg syndrome or fibromyalgia. Until researchers are able to find out more about both of these conditions, they will not know or understand why exactly the conditions tend to occur together. Both of these disorders are considered to be neurological disorders, so it could be that there is a common mechanism in the nervous system and the brain.

Getting a Diagnosis of Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome can be quite difficult to diagnose, since there really is no single diagnostic test for restless leg syndrome. This means that physicians will typically give a diagnosis based on a combination of your medical history and your current symptoms.

Following is a list of the diagnostic criteria for restless leg syndrome:

Need to move your limbs- typically linked to an odd or strange feeling in legs
The symptoms occur (or get worse) when you’re resting or relaxing and movement gives you a little bit of relief.
The symptoms get more severe at night
Motor restlessness, or a desire to get up and move around

Your physician may also perform some other lab tests to check for other possible reasons for these symptoms. Additionally, he or she may have you do as sleep study.

Combined Symptoms of Fibromyalgia and Restless Leg Syndrome

Following is a few of the symptoms that restless leg syndrome and fibromyalgia have in common:

Difficulty concentrating
Excessive sleepiness during the day time

Primarily, restless leg syndrome is characterized by odd or strange sensations- called parethesias- or even unpleasant feelings- called dysesthesias- in your legs and a desperate urge to move them to relieve the feelings. This particular symptom is not related to fibromyalgia syndrome, and will require different treatment.

Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome

Treatment for restless leg syndrome can include some lifestyle changes and medications.

For mild to moderate symptoms of restless leg syndrome, your physician may make the suggestion that you eliminate- or at least cut back- on your consumption of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. If you suffer from a nutritional deficiency, especially with folate, magnesium, or iron, your physician may prescribe supplements.

In addition to these treatments, your physician may suggest that you make a few lifestyle changes such as:

Making sure to get regular and moderate exercise
Taking hot baths
Maintaining a sleep schedule
Avoid getting too much exercise
Application of heat and/or ice
Getting leg massages (either massage yourself or have someone do it for you)

However, you should be aware that these treatments don’t always provide complete relief of your symptoms. Your physician may prescribe medications to control and treat your symptoms of restless leg syndrome:

Dopaminergics: these types of medications act like dopamine- a neurotransmitter in your brain regulating movement of your muscles
Benzodiazepines: these medications are depressants for your central nervous system and are generally used as a treatment for anxiety- it also suppresses muscle contractions
Opiates: these medications are used as painkillers, but they also help you to relax and have been effective for treating restless leg syndrome in some individuals.
Anticonvulsants: typically, these medications are used to treat seizure conditions- but can also be used to relieve muscle contractions.

There are some medications that could make your symptoms of restless leg syndrome much worse, including some anticonvulsant, antipsychotic, anti-nausea, and even some allergy or cold medications. If you are currently taking any of these, you may wish to speak with your physician about changing to different formulas that are less likely to cause your symptoms to become worse.

Treating Fibromyalgia versus Treating Restless Leg Syndrome

Most of the time, treatments for fibromyalgia don’t conflict with treatments for restless leg syndrome. Actually, in most cases, one treatment will actually help the other condition. Many times, individuals suffering from fibromyalgia will find that they get relief from opiates, anticonvulsants, and benzodiazepines. Additionally, many of the treatments used for restless leg syndrome can also help people suffering from fibromyalgia.

If you’re currently taking medications or considering taking medications to control your symptoms of restless leg syndrome and fibromyalgia, you should make sure you speak with your physician before doing so.

Living with Fibromyalgia and Restless Leg Syndrome

It can be difficult to live with and manage one medical condition- it’s that much harder to deal with two or more. However, there is good news- when you treat your restless leg syndrome, you’re also likely to treat your fibromyalgia- and vice versa.