BLB Solicitors - The Leading Chronic Pain & CRPS Solicitors
BLB Solicitors - The Leading Chronic Pain & CRPS Solicitors
  • Home
  • Chronic Pain Claims
    • CRPS Compensation
    • Fibromyalgia Compensation
    • Myofascial Pain Syndrome Compensation
    • Somatic Symptom Disorder Compensation
    • Neuropathic Pain Compensation
    • Functional Neurological Disorder Compensation
    • Chronic Pain Syndrome Compensation
  • Case Studies
  • Chronic Pain Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Contact Us

Home » CRPS and Restless Leg Syndrome – the double whammy

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Jan 23rd, 2017
Tired eyes caused by night time restless leg syndrome

CRPS and Restless Leg Syndrome – the double whammy

 

As if living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is not bad enough, many CRPS sufferers also suffer Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS).

What is Restless Leg Syndrome?

RLS is a disease of the nervous system that causes sufferers an uncontrollable and overwhelming urge to move or stretch their legs, although sometimes it can also affect their arms. This urge is often accompanied by highly unpleasant sensations in their legs and feet, often described as crawling, tugging, pricking, biting, gnawing, numbness or itching.

In an earlier article we considered the terrible effect that CRPS in isolation has on sleep. The ‘double whammy’ for those who additionally develop RLS is that RLS is usually at its worst at night. In addition to the unpleasant sensations, during sleep it causes involuntary jerking of the legs, further affecting a sufferer’s ability to remain asleep for any reasonable length of time. This swiftly leads to fatigue and exhaustion.

What causes Restless Leg Syndrome?

It is not absolutely certain what causes RLS. However, it is generally thought that an imbalance in the brain of a neurotransmitter called Dopamine is involved. There is also evidence that low levels of iron in the brain may be a factor.

RLS can run in families so some people may be genetically predisposed to develop the condition. One study also found that during pregnancy, 16% of women suffer RLS. However, people suffering certain medical conditions, including autoimmune disorders such as CRPS, seem particularly prone to develop RLS.

A personal experience

I asked a client who suffers both CRPS and RLS if she would mind sharing her experience. She says:

“I’ve suffered with CRPS for nearly 3 years and it wasn’t long after that the restless legs started. It only used to happen occasionally but now it happens every single night without fail.

“It starts earlier in the evening when I’m sitting with my husband. I have these really uncomfortable sensations and I have to try to find a more comfortable position but no matter what I do I just can’t get comfortable. As the evening goes on the sensations get worse and worse. It usually starts with a prickly feeling and then develops into a searing, burning pain. Eventually I have to stand up and walk around the room for some relief, but this aggravates the pain from the CRPS.

“Along with everything else I take Pramipexole. I usually try to wait until about 9 pm to take it as it has to be taken at least a couple of hours before I go to bed. This does help but my doctor has recently had to increase the dose as it was starting to have less of an effect.

“Things get really bad when I’m in bed trying to sleep. I just can’t lay still at all and the movement sends the pain from the CRPS through the roof. When I do eventually manage to get to sleep the twitching wakes me up again and getting back to sleep is usually impossible.

“I really can’t remember the last time I had a decent night’s sleep and I’m constantly shattered. I look in the mirror and I see a zombie. My husband has to sleep in the spare bedroom or else I keep him awake all night and there’s no point having two of us constantly exhausted.”

You may also be interested in the following articles:

CRPS and Sleep

Is this the cure for CRPS?

Does it matter which Solicitor I choose?

Hopes dwindle for new CRPS treatment

CRPS and Menstruation

Spinal Cord Stimulation for CRPS : my experience

Richard Lowes
Make an Enquiry

Contact Us

Contact Form

Left Column

Right Column

Centre

 
Sending

Recent Articles

  • The law on accessible toilets
  • Taking medication abroad
  • CRPS and excessive sweating
  • The importance of medical records in your CRPS compensation claim
  • CRPS and sleep

Share this Article

Newsletter Sign-up

* indicates required

Legal Glossary

Find Out More

You may also like...

  • Jan 22nd, 2017
    Remission and Recurrence in CRPS
    Read Article
  • Jan 25th, 2017
    CRPS victim settles claim for £1 million
    Read Article
View All Related Articles

Get in Touch Today

Contact Form

Left Column

Right Column

Centre

 
Sending

1 Edgar Buildings,
George Street,
Bath, BA1 2DU

01225 462871 01225 445060
Authorised & Regulated by Solicitors Regulation Authority (No. 636644).
©2025 BLB Solicitors  |  Privacy & Terms