PLMD (legs twitching in sleep) does anyone have this or have experience of it?

[Mykittensmittens]

This isn’t restless leg syndrome - which is where you have an overwhelming need to move/stretch your legs. This is a different syndrome where during sleep, entirely unconsciously and involuntarily, the limbs (legs, ankles, knees, toes) flick or twitch uncontrollably?

I’m just looking for real life (rather than dr Google!) experience of this and things that people have tried to minimise it.

DH has it and it’s very much affecting my sleep. He doesn’t do it for days/weeks then we get a run of nights where it’s just ridiculous. It’s like trying to sleep in a bed where precisely every 24 seconds someone thumps the end of the mattress. It’s like torture.

The only second bed option at the moment is the sofa, and I can’t decamp there due to a very bad back myself. He basically refuses on the basis that it’s not very often it happens and the whole process of decamping, setting up a bed, moving cushions etc is just as disruptive to us both as him twitching in the first place.

It’s like being in bed with someone doing the fucking river-dance and today, my last day off before going back to work, and I’m tired, irritable and resentful. Last night I was awake more than I was asleep - every time I dropped off he started doing the bloody foxtrot again. Plus he kicked me in the shins about 6 times.

He doesn’t have obvious markers for it that are suggested but I have begged today that he asks the GP if they can investigate further.

I just wondered if anyone else has it, and if anything helps?

Thanks

Yes, I sometimes have this AND restless legs!

Exercise really helps. Alcohol doesn’t.

Don’t think there’re many evidence based treatments.

If you want the sofa bed set up, set it up! Any options for a spare bedroom?

Thanks.

The tiny spare is now requisitioned to an office with no room for a desk and a bed. Unfortunately. He’s on the sofa tonight otherwise I could well commit murder.

He rarely drinks. He’s very active. Very. All week he’s been working on jobs round the house (quite physical ones) and regularly walks many many miles.

He used to snore. A lot. I could cope with that with earplugs. But weirdly that has changed and he’s still a noisy breather but doesn’t snore half as much, but now he has this instead…..

I do get this, but I have assumed it's a side effect from the amitryptaline I take.

Magnesium

Going through the lists:
He does take medication (contiflow) for slow urinary flow
He had a bad back after too much running (hence walking now!) and saw a chiropractor for 6 months last year but that’s resolved
I wouldn’t guess he was obviously deficient in anything as he’s very healthy in terms of eating and has a very balanced diet, plus takes good general supplements too (multivitamin and mineral, extra vitamin D).
Doesn’t smoke, rarely drinks
Could do with losing maybe a stone but he’s an ex-rugby player and is very broad indeed and muscular rather than chunky. He doesn’t have a belly for example, he’s just a big, broad man.

@NannyGythaOgg

Magnesium

Tablets? Or spray?

I have this..and I move to the sofa because iit's not fair on DH (also restless legs which is hideous)
I can't help it but that doesn't mean it's ok for me to lie there!
If you don't have a spare room then HE should have the sofa set up ready with a duvet and pillow and take himself there if he wakes you!
I have a bad back and hip but still feel it's my job to move if needed .

@StillMedusa

Agreed!! He says he’s willing…but in practice? Different! We are going to have to have a serious chat, but probably best done when I am not so sleep deprived that I could say something very mean.

Magnesium and electrolytes are a game changer

You can buy rehydration tablets from Tesco or where ever but make sure they have added magnesium

@ponkydonkey thanks. He doesn’t drink enough (any) water, he drinks tons of decaf tea though. I’ve got some dioralyte here - maybe I should make him drink a big glass before bed. He resists water in the evening as he has a benign prostate issue (see above, he takes contiflo) as otherwise he’s up all night peeing. I’d rather he woke me with a couple of loo trips than with a bloody Micheal Flatley impression all night long.

Get him to drink it during the day... make up 1 litre in the morning and as long as most of it has been drunk over the day it will make a big difference

I'm not sure if diorolyte has the added magnesium

These

www.amazon.co.uk/Science-Sport-Hydro-Hydration-Tablets/dp/B008AGN01C

Thanks @ponkydonkey that does make sense. He drinks literally NO water (except for the odd glass of red wine, when he will also have a glass of water alongside, maybe once a week). But it’s just tea all the time. A small Squash at supper then nothing as he thinks it makes him wee too much overnight which drives him mad. If he could get the fluid in during the day, maybe that would help.

I’ll put those tablets on order.