Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient
I'v had a CPAP machine for nearly 2 and a half years, on the whole I'm feeling a lot better and sleep through most nights but am still feeling tired, especially mid afternoon when I start yawning - it's difficult to stop and sometimes my eyes water. after an hour or so It seems to pass and feel better. I strongly suspect I have restless leg syndrome, I have in the past had tablets from the GP on advice from the clinic, but I felt they were making me into a zombie like creature, I did find alternative natural supplement which seems to have helped with the pain/itching but was told at the clinic that even though I am sleeping through the night the RLS will still stop me having a proper nights sleep and should ask my GP for the appropriate tablets. I know this topic is not strictly to do with sleep apnoea but I believe that many sleep apnoea sufferers also tend to suffer from RLS, If anyone has experience of this, can you tell me if you found a solution, or point me in the direction of a website that could help me
Many thanks
Carys
Views: 191
Poor you Carys - having the two different sleep disorders must be a nightmare! Bearing in mind that the RLS also disturbs the your sleep it must be difficult pinpointing exactly which one is causing the tiredness. Regarding the sleep apnoea, have you had your pressures checked lately?
Mirapex is the drug I've heard of peoople with RLS taking, but unfortunately this can affect the sleep, ie cause insomnia or sudden bouts of sleepiness. I'm sure you'll find out more about this on a google search.
Here's some info I have saved on my computer, but I can't remember where I got it. However, it might help:-
If a medical condition, such as an iron deficiency, diabetes, or nerve damage is triggering your restless legs syndrome, treating the underlying problem may relieve your RLS symptoms. But if there is no underlying condition and lifestyle changes don’t bring enough relief, you may need medication to reduce the restlessness in your legs.
Feeling tired in the afternoon is normal. Our bodies and rhythms have natural highs and lows throughout the day. Typicallly after lunch we have a low between 1 and 3pm. This pattern repeats itself at night when we have a high between 1-3am. This is why peple that sometimes stayer up later than usual soemtimes find an unusual 2nd wind.
The best way to beat the low is through some kind of activity. Mine are backwards due to my schedule. I try to do some kind of exercise once I get my patients down for the night. The key is to elevate your heartrate even if just a little.
Restless Leg Syndrom(RLS) would be leg movements while you are awake. Periodic Limb Movements(PLMS) would be leg movements while you are asleep. Do you know for sure which you have? Here in the states they typically only treat the small percentage of people that suffer from both leg movememnt disorders.
Leg movement disorders can be a sign of many things:
Iron, mineral, and vitamin defficiencies(especially in woman)
Kidney problems
Neurological issues
If I were to discover that I had a leg movement disorder the first thing I might push for would be blood work.
New to the Sleep Apnoea Forum?
1. Stop by our Sleep Apnoea Welcome Center to introduce yourself to the SleepGuide community.
2. Start a New Topic of Conversation.
3. Post your photos - of yourself, your old CPAP machine, your new CPAP machine, your pet, something about you!
Interested in advertising, have a problem or need to contact us? Click the Report an Issue page.
© 2025 Created by The SleepGuide Crew.
Powered by
