Restless leg syndrome

[ChestyNut]

Does anyone else have it?

What do you find helps?

GP has prescribed miraplex but the side effects listed are awful

[Nashinator]

It occurs to me that it's connected to hormones. My Mum and her Mum had it and so do my daughters. It came on when I was 13. It stopped when I went on the pill or was pregnant. Now I'm taking no hormones it's out of control again. Just had a hysterectomy and that appears to have made no difference. The only thing that helps is avoiding alcohol :( or having a really hot bath - that distracts the brain for about 15 minutes and then I get off to sleep. There's not enough spent on researching this. It's in the brain, not the legs, but nobody seems to know (or care) why.

[Nashinator]

I've had restless legs since I was 13. I'm now 46 and I have it every night from about 6pm. I've tried quinine, iron, vitamin supplements and the three dopamine agonists that usually work, but in my case, augmented and made symptoms worse (restless arms and NECK!!). Other side effects can include massively heightened libido and compulsive gambling! I didn't get those, but the prospect of it made me laugh. I'm not kidding. It's in the small print.

[MedusaIsHavingaBadHairday]

Gabapentin works well for me.. but it is a high dose. I also find moderate excercise helps but if I overdo it (eg 3 mile run) it gets worse!

[Fairygen]

5 hours uninterrupted sleep last night!! I think I could have slept more but kept waking up to go to the loo because I'd drunk so much water during the day.

[ChestyNut]

Was so tempted to take the mirapex last night after tossing and turning for hours but I'm too scared of the fact it causes weight gain

Does anyone else also feel wide awake when there rls kicks in IYSWIM?

Long day at work ahead, joy.

[eminemmerdale]

Yep, get it to. grim :(

[TreeLuLa]

Oh Chesty it is awful, isn't it?

I had it horribly for months when I was on methotrexate.

Tonic water and a banana before bed did seem to help a bit.

These days I still have to avoid Lemsip - it seems to start it off again - no idea why.

[ChestyNut]

Urge it's terrible jen

Well that was a proper rubbish nights sleep

Feel like I've done the bed Olympics!

[Fairygen]

I have suffered on and off for 15 years ( since becoming pregnant) Going through a particularly bad patch atm, the normal constant dull ache plus occasional shooting pains

The last 2 months I've been surviving on 2-3 hours sleep. Surprisingly I'm not knackered in the morning, but struggle to keep my eyes open past 8 pm. As soon as I go to bed it starts!!

I've given up alcohol completely ,try to keep hydrated, am eating healthily, walking loads,and lost a bit of weight as this has helped in the past....not this time.

I also have had arthritis in my feet since my early 20s so not sure if this adds to the problem.

On a good note, I get up at 5.30 most mornings, so my house is spotless!!!

[hiddenhome]

Vitamin B6 helps. You have to take a fairly high dose.

[infamouspoo]

for years now. I take L-dopa on and off and sometimes it helps but taking it every night can make it worse. I'm on valium to help me sleep. I've tried magnesium, iron, vit D, the list is endless
Its getting worse as I age.

[QueenofLouisiana]

I found mine is worse when I have been anaemic. I wear a nightdress rather than pyjamas when possible so my legs don't get hot, I have found that putting my feet into really cold water for 10 minutes or so helps. The last tip was given to me by my midwife- it sounds daft, but helped me.

[ChestyNut]

I've had a FBC recently but don't think ferritin is included?

[ChestyNut]

Well I've been to holland and barretts and armed with magnesium supplements and valerian.

Also threw a lavender bath bomb in for good measure

I'm just do nervous of all the drugs out there and side effects...at least I know what painkillers do IYSWIM?

[pollywollydoodle]

INK thanks for the heads up about the FB page and rls site

[pollywollydoodle]

it's worth having your Dr check your bloods as low iron levels can exacerbate it.
gabapentin helped mine for a long time ( nice side effect as i was taking it for neurological pain in ms)
its back again now and me and my toenails have literally kicked DH out of bed...into the spare room
having the space to stretch helps

[YNK]

Look on rlshelp for medicines that will make it worse.
There is also a discussion forum on FB if you want to talk to other sufferers. They will tell you it's essential to see a neurologist since most GP's knowledge is limited.
Tramadol would have helped because it is opiate based but its a bit extreme for rls.
Be warned that there are lots of snake oil salesmen out to exploit sufferers as well as all the old wives tales that are around.

[FoxPass]

get a magnesium oil spray from Holland and barret. spray 5 sprays on each leg before bed and rub in well. seriously it is fantastic, I started using it for rls and it has stopped it, plus my eye twitch and night twitches. didn't even know I was magnesium deficient!

[orangeandemons]

It's to do with Dopamine levels. If they are too low it can cause roll. Amitriptiline is an anti depressant which will work on dopamine, which is why it works. It made mine better, not worse.

Gabapentin is the other one that is usually suggested.

[ChestyNut]

It's just so confusing as so many conflicting treatment suggestions out there.

at lucy kicking DH.

[LittleMissLucy]

My DH has it and I have to admit sometimes I have been woken SO many times in the night that I am beside myself and I give him a gentle kick in the legs !

[YNK]

Gabapentin is a good alternative to dopamine agonists. Quinine and magnesium will not help at all and Amytripteline will exacerbate it. Have a look on rlshelp.com.

[Elderflowergranita]

Dh has this - valerian works really for him.

[Nellymay]

As i write this i'm sitting with my leg twitching - its driving me mad!! If i'm not mad already, that is! i've had it for years - it comes and goes and when i get it it can go on every night for weeks then stop for a period of time. It starts in the evening or in bed - i get out of bed, walk around stretch my calf and thigh muscles - sometimes it goes on for hours.

I've read somewhere that magnesium can help - note to self: i really ought to start taking magnesium again.

[invicta]

I suffer for it to. I find that I can have a couple of drinks fine, and then have another, and it sets it off.

I usually get it in the evening, so I usually go to bed, and find the change in routine helps. I usually kick the duvet of my legs - keeping cool helps.