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Original poster

Restless legs, losing the will to live

77 replies

IneedcoffeeinanIV · 16/06/2023 00:40

For weeks on end now I have been suffering so much with restless legs. Sounds ridiculous to say suffering but it's driving me absolutely insane. It's started moving into my arms now so I'm spending hours tossing and turning and when I finally manage to sleep through sheer exhaustion, I'm up within 4 hours with both kids and then working full time. I honestly cannot do this for another night. I'm taking magnesium supplements, trying to keep as hydrated as I can but nothing is working. Does anyone have any remedies at all? I'll be eternally grateful

OP posts:
DrCoconut · 17/06/2023 00:18

@KEG973 yikes, laxido on top of iron tablets. I shit for England when I'm on them with no laxatives needed. Especially ferrous fumerate, it's nasty stuff. Unfortunately I really suffer with low ferritin due to gut issues so often need to supplement.

Original poster
IneedcoffeeinanIV · 17/06/2023 00:42

DrCoconut · 17/06/2023 00:18

@KEG973 yikes, laxido on top of iron tablets. I shit for England when I'm on them with no laxatives needed. Especially ferrous fumerate, it's nasty stuff. Unfortunately I really suffer with low ferritin due to gut issues so often need to supplement.

That's what I had with DD1 and the constipation was absolutely horrific. At the time I couldn't decide if the pain was on par with labour and that was a back to back birth

OP posts:
EKGEMS · 17/06/2023 01:01

I'm on my second Rx for restless legs syndrome it's pramipexole and is a lifesaver

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Original poster
IneedcoffeeinanIV · 20/06/2023 22:25

So I finally went to the doctors today. Explained the restless legs, the back of sleep it's causing and the migraines that follow. And I was told I was stressed 🙂🙂

OP posts:
justasking111 · 20/06/2023 22:29

Oh really are you? Do you agree with the diagnosis?

Original poster
IneedcoffeeinanIV · 20/06/2023 22:31

I do have a fairly hectic life but I've definitely felt much more stressed than this in my life and I've never experienced these kind of symptoms

OP posts:
pepperminticecream · 20/06/2023 22:38

yes to the magnesium spray! Also magnesium bath salts. I have had them on and off my whole life but they got really bad in pregnancy and that is when I discovered the spray and it worked! I also found that my husband squeezing my legs and feet until I fell asleep really helped too.

Duvetdweller · 20/06/2023 22:41

My DH has terrible RLS. Ropinrole is the only thing that has ever helped him.

NannyGythaOgg · 20/06/2023 22:43

Another saying large doses of magnesium. Gabapentin on prescription (just 30 mg at night) and compression socks.

I discovered the compression socks through flying. I get swollen ankles when I fly and would wear them on my way to Turkey on holiday - but not on the way back as my legs soon go down when back home (and cool). Then I noticed I really struggled with sitting still on the way home because of restless legs so decided to give them a go on the return journey - BINGO - no more restless legs.

MrsSkylerWhite · 20/06/2023 22:43

Sounds mad, but try herbal foot patches (Amazon, various other places) overnight. Helped me enormously and I sleep better too.

fireplacetiles · 20/06/2023 22:49

As mentioned by another poster, are you taking antihistamines for hayfever? I was suffering with aching restless legs that were waking me up at night. I randomnly read something that said that they can cause leg pain- I have taken cetrizine ( the really cheap 99p ones) every day for years. Stopped them for 1 night and it went away! Have switched to allevia and have none of these symptoms any more.

TheGirlInTheGreenDress · 20/06/2023 22:50

My Dr prescribed me Amitriptyline which works ok, it helps me sleep too.

Andi2020 · 20/06/2023 22:57

@IneedcoffeeinanIV I would be interested in the actual symptoms. I have a tightness in my left leg this week and its quite painful wondering is this how yiu feel.
I do get sciatica but this feels different

TomPinch · 20/06/2023 23:34

I've suffered from RLS for just over ten years. My sympathies, OP. My triggers are hot weather and stress. So in summer I just try my best to keep cool which isn't always practical. As for stress, I find that if I'm doing stressful things my body will tense up even if I don't feel like I'm stressed, and that will trigger RLS.

It did improve once I worked out the triggers.

I tried various other things (for example magnesium worked until it just didn't.)

(I'm male but the above may be relevant)

justasking111 · 20/06/2023 23:41

NannyGythaOgg · 20/06/2023 22:43

Another saying large doses of magnesium. Gabapentin on prescription (just 30 mg at night) and compression socks.

I discovered the compression socks through flying. I get swollen ankles when I fly and would wear them on my way to Turkey on holiday - but not on the way back as my legs soon go down when back home (and cool). Then I noticed I really struggled with sitting still on the way home because of restless legs so decided to give them a go on the return journey - BINGO - no more restless legs.

Gabapentin, that's interesting because I'm having back issues herniated disc my restless legs have stopped since the GP prescribed it. @IneedcoffeeinanIV did tell us she has back issues so I did wonder if it was crushed nerves.

Vesuviusbeats · 20/06/2023 23:47

Magnesium worked for me as well. Also get way fewer headaches now.

Honeybeeheart · 21/06/2023 02:44

As mentioned above, do try tonic water (the quinine) - a glass at bedtime works for me.

GreyCarpet · 21/06/2023 06:53

I also found that my husband squeezing my legs and feet until I fell asleep really helped too.

Yes!

I'm sure my boyfriend loves spending his evenings doing this but it does also seem to help a lot!

I tried various other things (for example magnesium worked until it just didn't.)

I've found magnesium to be far less effective this week actually. Last night I ended up doubling up on the dosage with still only limited efficacy. I wondered if it might have been because this month I've had to buy a different magnesium. But maybe its just stopped working! 😩

SueisinOz · 21/06/2023 09:11

I would try another doctor! Stress can cause RLS to start up/get worse in my experience, but Sifrol (premiprexole) fixes it totally. It's been a life-saver for me.

forrestgreen · 21/06/2023 12:18

I cut out milk and later on noticed it's gone. Then for my birthday had the most amazing ice cream Sundae- that night my legs drove me to tears!!

Whataretalkingabout · 21/06/2023 12:44

A recent thread was all about the Victorians who invented the vibrator which worked wonderfully on " hysteria" and restless leg syndrome.
Try it, it couldn't hurt! ;)

CurbsideProphet · 21/06/2023 12:44

My RLS started when I has severe iron deficiency anaemia after PPH. It improved after 2 iron diffusions but has come back again. I find taking 1 or 2 paracetamol at bedtime works. I'm breastfeeding and unsure if magnesium spray would be ok. I'll try looking into it as there are lots of recommendations in this thread.

SnugPombear · 30/06/2024 20:38

I have had restless legs for years,I am on a tablet called pramaprexole they do really help also have your iron levels checked . Hope this helps .

SnugPombear · 30/06/2024 20:47

I have had restless legs for years I suffer really bad,recently I went back to my doctors and told them I can't take it any more he put me on a tablet called pramaprexole you can take up to six of these tablets a night ,I do at the moment. It does help also he put me iron tabs for six months because that was low and that's connected to restless legs. I hope this helps someone,

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