Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask for medical advice on relatives problem?

18 replies

ScousyFogarty · 09/05/2011 10:27

You will know I do jokes; but this is deadly serious, sorry to say.

I thought someone might come up with something which which has worked for them.

My wife, a retired nurse and a diabetic. is suffering from severe "jumpy legs" at night which is painful and seriously disturbs her sleep.

She has been to the doctor; but nothing he suggests seems to work with this problem. She does, of course take pain killers.

I just wondered if any mumsnetters had heard of anything which may help
my wife. You may have read of something; or seen something on TV or had a friend who had the same problem.

I am not usually this serious; but it is a serious problem . thanks

OP posts:
squeakytoy · 09/05/2011 10:33

Exercises just before bed, just gentle ones to keep the circulation moving, and then have the legs slightly elevated (on a pillow) perhaps.

faverolles · 09/05/2011 10:35

I know someone who had "restless legs". She had acupuncture which really helped. She didn't have diabetes though, but it might be worth a try?

AccioPinotGrigio · 09/05/2011 10:43

Sounds like restless leg syndrome. I have had this recently combined with a few other symptoms at night, palpitations, anxiety. I had a few blood tests one of which was thyroid function. It turns out I was hyperthyroid and RLS is associated with thyroid problems. It is also associated with a lot of other things as well though - irond deficiency is common. If the doctor has checked her out for all of this then fine but it not I would be down there asking for a few basic blood tests - iron, thyroid function etc. Google Restless Leg Syndrome and see what you think.

I would just add that since I have been on anti-thyroid meds the jumpy leg and other symptoms are clearing up.

Hope you sort it out.

Imnotaslimjim · 09/05/2011 10:49

Get her to drink tonic water. It contains quinine and in a high enough dose works as a muscle relaxant. Can't believe the dr hasn't suggested it!

AnyFucker · 09/05/2011 10:50

quinine

tonic water

or better still, a gin and tonic before bed Smile

massage and stretches before bed too

Original poster
ScousyFogarty · 09/05/2011 10:50

thanks a lot for responding, I will pass on your ideas to BB

OP posts:
WhenWillISeeYouAgain · 09/05/2011 10:56

I get it too and find that if I take some Nurofen, (muscle relaxant), before bed, it goes away.

I hate it, it's awful, so I feel for her!!

AnyFucker · 09/05/2011 10:59

I got it when was pg

I would be in tears of frustration at 3am, it is horrible

It also comes back when I am overtired

Original poster
ScousyFogarty · 09/05/2011 11:04

thanks af and whenwill Its a ruddy nuiscance

OP posts:
ggirl · 09/05/2011 11:07

I have heard that amitryptiline anti-depressant works well for restless leg syndrome

valiumredhead · 09/05/2011 11:09

My late Grandfather had jumpy legs and it made his life miserable. He had specific tablets for it though not just pain killers.

MintyMoo · 09/05/2011 11:10

I get restless legs syndrome too. If there's no sign of nerve damage or thyroid issues in your wife's blood then it sounds like RLS.

I find mine comes in batches, few nights on, few nights off etc. It can happen in the day too. Gentle stretches can help, as can keeping the legs moving throughout the day i.e. switching positions. If your wife is in an office job she can request a foot rest for the desk, I had one which tilted back and forth, I found it helped to reduce my RLS in the day.

I have it quite mild, although it was awful when I was about 5, would keep me awake for hours on end. I do know you can get tablets for it in more severe cases, whether these are anti-depressents (they can ease up nerve problems in low doses) or muscle relaxants or something else I don't know. It might be worth her seeing a different GP, or asking for a referral to a specialist whether a Rheumatologist or Neurologist to check the cause.

There will be forums out there for people specifically with RLS (aka ekbom syndrome) so you might find out more on one of those.

Good luck!

QuackQuackBoing · 09/05/2011 11:17

Iron tablets worked for me.

Punkatheart · 09/05/2011 11:18

Is she on any other medication? Do check. My mother has had problems and discovered it was her being given medicine for her diabetes that was not meant for anyone thyroidal, which she also is.....

lesley33 · 09/05/2011 12:05

I have restless legs Things that can work are:

  1. Check if thyroid is underactive or she is anaemic. Both can cause or worsen symptoms. Although diabetes is also a recognised cause of this.
  2. Tonic water with quinine - although ime you need to drink a lot, it does help.
  3. Painkillers like paracetomel.
  4. Dr can prescribe tablets if very bad.
  5. Some people find it helps to not have anything directly touching the legs - so you can buy hoops to keep the bedclothes from touching the legs.
ilovemyhens · 09/05/2011 13:14

I have read in one of my nursing journals that it can be linked to iron deficiency. I suffer from it, but I think it's linked to my medication as I take too many vits to be deficient in anything Grin

patindahat · 09/05/2011 13:38

RLS may sometimes be associated with diabetes/liver/kidney problems.

ratspeaker · 09/05/2011 13:52

My dad was given quinine tablets to help with his restless/painfull legs.
He had liver problems

New posts on this thread. Refresh page