Got Energy?

General
1

Not sure if you've noticed, but I've been pretty absent of late. Why (you probably didn't ask yourself, lol)?

ENERGY!

Between the OCD and tons of extra energy, my house is starting to look organized! We are getting ready for a yard sale and eventual move, and I am getting stuff done! My pantry is organized, shelves are cleaned, everything is dusted...blah blah blah you get the point.

How did I come by this extra energy and motivation? The things I've been lacking or deficient in for YEARS?

Well, I went and saw this amazing sleep doctor in Seattle. I've been using a CPAP for the last year, and although I notice when I don't use it (I am more tired and achy), I haven't noticed an increase in energy. He asked me some questions, changed a couple of minor settings on my CPAP, and prescribed me pramipexole for RLS (restless legs syndrome). I told my last sleep doctor I thought I had RLS, and he said I didn't. This doctor says if you think you have RLS, you probably do. He also had my ferritin (iron) levels tested. Now normally, doctors look at the comprehensive blood panel, and check your RBC (red blood count). If you have normal RBC levels, they don't look any further. This doctor says there is a connection between RLS and low iron, and the RBC levels are not an accurate indicator of iron levels. Lo and Behold, I am anemic (iron deficient)!

So I've been taking a liquid iron supplement (Floravital), extra vitamin C, and increasing doses of pramipexole as directed by my doctor. I don't know which one is making the difference, but I can't believe how much stuff I get done. My only obstructions are weak legs and arms (start to shake after a while), and not lifting too much or it makes my muscles really hurt the next day.

The funny thing is, pramipexole is what my rheumatologist, Dr. Holman, prescribes for his fibromyalgia (FM) patients. I don't have fibromyalgia. The two main uses of pramipexole are RLS and Parkinson's. Per Dr. Holman, pramipexole quiets down the brain stem so his FM patients sleep at night. Dr. Holman believes, in many cases, FM is caused by sleep disturbance. In some, it's due to intermittent cord compression, in others it's due to an over active brain stem.

Here's his research on pramipexole:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16052595

So, I'm not sure which is helping, maybe it's the combination of both....but if you suffer from lack of energy, and fatigue like I did, it might be worth it to talk to your doctor. It doesn't fix everything, but the fatigue was the WORST of my symptoms, and now I can do so much more than I've been able to do for years. By the way, I still have the widespread intermittent pain and burning in my arms, so it's not a fix for that (for me).

The sleep doctor is Dr. William De Paso, and he's really wonderful.

https://www.virginiamason.org/body.cfm?id=1175&action=detail&ref=115

Take care :)

Mandy

2

Mandy,

You are so wonderful !!! Thank you for sharing all this with us. I would love to say I got as much done as you have. I will definitely check into the pramipexole. I already take prescription vitamins because I am always anemic. They contain iron.

I am so happy you are doing well except for the burning pain. I can't even imagine having to try to move. I would just cry because I would have to hire someone to pack and clean out the pantry and closets etc. etc.

You Rock !!!

Tracy

3

Thanks for sharing! Great information!

4

This is my first post on here, but one of my biggest struggles is finding the energy to do everything that I need to. I was diagnosed two years ago. I recently began taking a wellness supplement recommended by a friend, and also several doctors around where I live are telling patients about it. It is called Zeal for Life, and it contains numerous vitamins as well as naturally occurring antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. It targets low energy, poor immune system, weight gain, etc. I have been taking it for three weeks and I feel tons better!! Check it out at jcrow.zealforlife.com....I have heard so many success stories, and was a big skeptic, but it has helped me have more energy so I am so glad I tried this. Not trying to advertise, I just wanted to let you guys know!

Has anyone tried the paleo diet? I have been thinking about it but was wondering if anyone had success with managing symptoms with it!

5

You go girl!! Well since you have all that extra energy, I have some stuff you can come do here at my house, LOL! That is great that you have found those meds that help. My husband has RLS and diabetic neuropathy so I will have to look into that for the both of us.

I have got to find a doctor that is going to help me with my constant vitamin deficiencies. I'm sure that is some of my problem with being tired and achy. I am low on every one of my vitamins and I think the only way to keep them close to normal is going to be monthly IV infusions.

It is funny, you wouldn't think vitamins would have such an impact on our bodies like they do. Send me some of that energy for my move...I'm going to need it :)

SparkyID7