caret icon Back to all discussions

Can't stand to be in my own skin, evening restlesness.

I call it restlessness because I don't know how else to describe it but it is much more. In the evenings, when I try to settle down to watch tv sometimes my whole body gets what I would describe as restless leg syndrome. I can not sit still, I flop from one end of the couch to the other almost without stop. I really do not want to be in my skin at the time. Prednisone helped and now I'm on Enbrel which has helped. Does anyone else experience anything similar?

  1. Hi Ericthewelder, thank you for being here and for inquiring. I've had a similar sensation at times, mostly before medication or between medication transitions. It was a vague sense, like something was awry in my muscles. I don't know how to describe it, or if we are talking about the same sensation, but it prevented me from sitting still and kept me awake many nights. I also had a lot of hand, foot, and lower leg cramps during that time that could be set off quite easily.

    It is good to hear the prednisone and Enbrel are helping. Medication helped me too. Have you found anything else that helps? Have you discussed it with your doctor?

    Thank you again!
    Michael (Rheumatoidarthritis.net Team Member).

    1. Yeah, that sounds similar but I would not use the word vague. I have ankle pain and can't sleep also. Although not recently and before I was diagnosed with RA I was often kept awake by pain in my toes, the joints to the feet, followed by hand pain. The restlessness and lower extremity pain was bad then but Prednisone and now Enbrel has helped. I hate to say it because of the stigma but vicodin worked and I took it often. Sometimes I would need 2 to stop the pain and restlessness.

      1. Hi Ericthewelder ~

        I'm glad to hear that the prednisone and Enbrel have helped - I hope those medications will continue to improve the situation. Although I haven't personally experienced the type of restlessness you are talking about, I am wondering whether you have tried soaking in Epsom salts? I'm thinking it might help your pain but possibly also potentially your restlessness, as Epsom salts are made from magnesium sulfate and are supposed to help sedate the nervous system and relax muscles when absorbed through the skin. Personally, Epsom salt soaks are an important part of my pain management routine - it also really helps me relax! Might be worth a try!

        Best of luck to you and please remember that we are here to support you!

        ~Mariah~ (Site Moderator)

        1. THanks. I am not familiar with Epsom salts. I will look into it.

          Please read our rules before posting.