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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if anyone has a magic cure

74 replies

ChilliChaos · 03/08/2021 23:35

For restless legs?

I’ve been suffering for almost a year. Been advised by the GP it’s due to either (heart) medications I’m on, stress or hormonal.

I can’t take it anymore.

I’m exhausted. I’ve been surviving on 3 hours of light sleep per night (according to my Fitbit) for weeks. When I eventually fall asleep it wakes me up.

I have 2 small children (4 and 2) and am single. I’m barely functional.

Anyone know anything that can help?
I’ll try any old wives tales you can throw at me.

OP posts:
Nightlystroll · 04/08/2021 00:20

Might not work but look so pretty.

To ask if anyone has a magic cure
Nyala · 04/08/2021 00:20

Have you spoken to your GP or the person who prescribed the medication that's causing it?

I was once on meds that caused RLS, it was hell, you have my sympathy OP. But I spoke to the Dr and said, I can't do this, I'm exhausted. They swapped me onto a new, equivalent medicine and the RLS symptoms went away.

A weighted blanket may help, though, if the above is not an option.

Nyala · 04/08/2021 00:22

Failing what I said above, there are actual medications that treat RLS. Ropinirole (sp incorrect I think) is one of them. It can cause other issues like increased impulsivity (spending money in silly ways on a whim for example) but not everyone gets those symptoms and to be honest, I'd have done anything for a night of sleep. A friend is on Ropinirole for RLS and has no problems and says it saved her life. She used to get it REALLY badly.

Saracen · 04/08/2021 01:41

Weighted blanket? They are expensive though, so borrow or hire one to see if it helps.

Original poster
ChilliChaos · 04/08/2021 02:13

The soap didn’t work 😭😭😭

OP posts:
lovethisjourneyforme · 04/08/2021 02:49

Compression socks! Absolute lifesaver.

Domino20 · 04/08/2021 02:52

I take a combination of magnesium supplements and vitamin D. It's been really effective, if I somehow forget to take then it's back within 2 days.
Please try, it's been a huge relief.

Curlymam88 · 04/08/2021 02:59

I have restless legs in my pregnancy. Currently I try using an ice water bottle in my calfs and the magnesium cream with lavender in it. It really is horrible thing to have.

HyacinthsHydrangeas · 04/08/2021 03:38

I have found that a heated blanket helps, especially if you can wrap it pretty tightly around your legs.

Chunkymenrock · 04/08/2021 03:48

Have a look at acupuncture OP.

LanisHouseLot · 04/08/2021 04:21

Go back to your GP as others have said - check your iron levels. Moderate exercise earlier in the day can be helpful (I think not close to bedtime though). Baths before bed are recommended though.

There are a few different drugs that can be tried too, and if they don't work then a referral to a neurologist if your symptoms are dreadful (yours sound like they are with 3 hrs sleep per night Sad).

Oh, and do you take any anti-histamines? The sedating kind can cause restless leg syndrome.

mathanxiety · 04/08/2021 04:27

Make sure whatever you take is compatible with your heart meds.

ToLiveInPeace · 04/08/2021 05:01

Seconding compression socks or elastic bandages. My partner has RLS so bad that I have my own bedroom but he's recently found that elastic bandages help.

BetsyBigNose · 04/08/2021 06:22

I empathise so much with you @ChilliChaos, and all the others on this thread who are suffering with RLS - it's truly one of the most torturous sensations I have ever experienced.

I have issues maintaining my potassium and bicarbonate, my blood is quite acidic. Each of these issues can contribute to RLS, but all 3 together and my legs are river-dancing all night long and I'm getting precisely zero sleep.

The only things I have found which help me (nothing completely gets rid of it) are alternating hot and really cold (hot water bottle and a bottle of refrigerated water, ingesting lots of potassium and if all else fails (or after I've had a couple of nights in a row of being wide awake) I'll knock myself out with prescribed sleeping tablets.

I don't think there is an easy answer, but I'll be watching this thread in desperate hope!

Digestive28 · 04/08/2021 06:26

Mine are hormonal so trying different contraception every pills helped, didn’t solve it but now it’s a few days a month not every day

EarringsandLipstick · 04/08/2021 07:00

HRT.

Restless legs was one of my perimenopausal symptoms.
Some of the suggestions eg bananas are linked to the issue being potassium deficiencies.

It sounds clear that your issue is not a deficiency & if it's disturbing your sleep so much, solutions like these are unlikely to work.

Jenpy · 04/08/2021 07:10

I get it intermittently, it was terrible when I was pregnant. I touch my toes, keeping my legs straight for as long as I can. Then I do as many squats as I can and go to bed. I never want to do the squats and always see if I can go to sleep without them but then I end up giving in and it works. Good luck.

GromblesofGrimbledon · 04/08/2021 07:11

My partner batters hell out of my calves. Big old massage with lavender oil always does the trick when I get jumpy leg now and again. Settles them down and gets them to behave.

CounsellorTroi · 04/08/2021 07:42

Magnesium oil spray works for me.

ConstanceGracy · 04/08/2021 07:55

I knew it would be about RLS before I opened the thread!
I too am a sufferer and no the bar of soap doesn’t work but I have found that magnesium sprays do!
They have a few on Amazon.
I spray my legs before I go to bed and rub in and it definitely lessens the discomfort.
I’ve tried everything but this is the only thing that works for me.

Original poster
ChilliChaos · 04/08/2021 09:45

I’m sorry so many of you have this too.

I made my own weighted blankets with damp towels and slept for 6 hours! Will definitely be investing in a real one.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

OP posts:
Killeditwithkisses · 04/08/2021 23:15

Vitamin D3!
Good luck OP

daisycottage · 04/08/2021 23:33

I take magnesium and high dose vitamin B6 and I no longer have any problems with restless legs.