Print

Print


Having just found the PD Info Exchange Network while wandering around AOL, I
was very interested in hearing more about RLS. Here are my symptoms.    Am
48, PD first diagnosed at 35, was then unilateral(right), and  although now
some left side, most problems still on right. Had right leg/foot gait
difficulties mostly due to arch pronation/dyskenetic reactions to Sinemet
 during first years of PD.
 
In last year or two, my right leg seems to have taken on a life of its own,
usually as winding down from  a Simemet dose, just before a real freeze up "of
f". While I can avoid this by gulping more drugs, closer together, that
usually results in a few hours of over-dose "LA-LA Land"!  In these pre-off
and into the  off periods the right leg goes beserk, it cannot be still, and
if by will I force it to, it seems to freeze the rest of me too, and the foot
 goes into a painful ccramped claw. Walking doesn't help, because the claw
foot makes it like a shuffling, stagger, like a drunk trying to avoid a fall.
Coming to a stop on your feet, such as in front of a sink to shave, etc is an
ordeal as the leg, thumping away refuses to get comfotable..Sometiimes,
putting it in a wierd, gyrated position helps.-a very wide stance, wedging
the rt leg against a wall helps. Other times, a right leg genuflect(rt knee
on ground, left knee up) is the only way I can function- I often have to
brush teeth this way at night- its fun with chin barely clearing the edge of
sink, like being a two year old again.
Have just discovered that the Exesise Bike "shuts" the leg up, in fact the
pedal force seems to "unclaw" the foot, but step off the bike and it's back
to its old tricks until the next dose kicks in.
 
QUESTION: Is what I describe RLS? If so would appreciate pointers to info or
copies of info. Thanks and good luck.
 
PS One thing I've discovered when I ran out of Sinemet 25/100(yellow), is
that grinding up CR into a fine powder(1/2 50/200 CR=1 25/100)  gives me a
better steadier and longer on than the plain Sinemet- I still take CR whole,
plus Permax, Artane & Eldepryl. I'd be broke without Insurance!!.