My restless legs are driving me MAD

[Mrstrumpalot]

If you don't suffer from this you probably won't appreciate just how uncomfortable it is. Have been in bed 3 hours now and still not asleep. My legs are driving me mad with pain/ restlessness especially in the calf area.
Have been on pramipexole now for about 6 months, GP says I am at my max of 3 per night but they just don't seem to work anymore. I have also tried magnesium flake baths and magnesium oil rubbed in.

I know it may seem trivial compared to more serious complaints but I dread going to bed, kick about for ages and then feel exhausted the next day. It's really starting to get me down.

Supplementing magnesium tablets really helped mine. And Epsom salt baths. I think magnesium is key but it is also related to general electrolyte balance and hydration so try having a dioralyte a day for a while and increasing your water intake.

I've suffered from this for years.

This week I got some magnesium supplements, and fingers crossed, I haven't had RL for the last three nights.

I'm praying that I've found a cure, because it's horrible.

I think I get it a a few times a month, my DP would probably disagree and say it's more. My legs generally start itching and twitching at 9.20pm.

If my legs are busy at night and they keep me awake I take an otc antihistamine which knocks me out but I feel bleurgh the next morning.

It's a pain doing Riverdance in your sleep, so you all have my sympathies.

I have this too. It started out like Riverdance as TroysMammy said. DH described it the same way but I was sleeping deeply and had no idea anything was wrong except for waking up completely exhausted and with bruises on my legs where I had been kicking myself in my sleep.

It's now escalated to the extent that I can't sleep at night and have a horrible feeling in my legs which keeps me awake. I don't know how else to explain it. I'm using a magnesium spray on my legs and my doctor has prescribed sleeping tablets for a very short period as I just can't function without sleep. I hate taking them but I am so desperate for sleep

It's fucking awful.

Right I'm not reading everyone else's posts.

Amatryptaline (I take this every night)
Magnesium drink

I suffer from this but haven't sought medical help (have a lot of things wrong with me and thought this was a side effect).

You can't drink alcohol with amitriptyline though, can you?

I do and I'm fine but I also take gabapentin as well which you're not supposed to drink with.
I think it's more to do with it making you more drunk so you need to be careful more then anything

Mine have been so bloody painful this week it's unbearable. What has helped a bit is putting my Chillow (cold pillow) under my legs, or on a bed pillow under my knees.

Can I ask, does anyone have any symptoms during the day, I am a constant leg twitcher and would much rather be sitting at my desk with one leg tucked under me or have my legs crossed. I've been like this since I was a child. But the RLS has only(!) been present for about a year

The only thing that works for me is oramorph.

RWBY no symptoms during the day.

I had terrible problems with this and also numb feet and hands.
I had to give up my evening glass of red wine when my daughters were ill for a couple of weeks and one was hospitalised.
Hey presto no more problems ! I dont drink at all now and no longer have an issue. Might just be me but might be worth a go at least .

I use horse linement on mine (honestly). It feels super hot to begin with then cools them right down. Makes meysuperyaware of my legs which you would think would have you the opposite effect but stops them "ticking" and removes my compulsion to stretch them. Around £9 for a huge bottle on Amazon. Around 60% cheaper than menthol creams designed for RLS. Smells a little equine but not too bad.

*me super aware

Its awful, heat works for me,hot water bottle and electric blanket stretching my calves.
I have just realised I haven't had it in a few weeks starting running about 6 weeks ago,maybe that's helping.Also cur back on sugar.
My sympathy its such a pain .

RWNY, yes also a leg twitcher and general fidgeter here.

RWBY - I get it during the day, especially if I am sitting still (ie theatre or cinema). It's so irritating!

I'm definitely going to try magnesium tablets....

Magnesium. Cured.
Just to add to the numbers who are saying it.
No need for the oil and bath faff, just take a supplement. I buy mine from Amazon, I'll get the link.

I had vile RL for years, i remember going to the theatre and thinking I'd die if I couldn't get up and leave, it was so bad. Magnesium has actually cured it, seriously. I'll post this and then get the link for the ones I buy from Amazon - I used to use Holland and B, but these work out cheaper long term and they work (I tried another brand that didn't).

This is the giant pack, lasts me nearly two years as I take one or two a day (ideally I'd take one and half at this dosage, so I mix it up).

But they do smaller sizes, too. www.amazon.co.uk/Magnesium-Tablets-MgO-500mg-90/dp/B01LO94J8E/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1503642557&sr=8-2&keywords=lindens%2Bmagnesium&th=1&tag=mumsnetforum-21

I tried magnesium a while ago and it made no difference, but very exciting to think that another brand might work. Thanks for the link

YY to wanting to die in the cinema or theatre. Before I realised that MSG made mine worse, I ate a Chinese meal before going to the theatre.

It was truly miserable.

The ones I'm taking are like tiny little pellets that melt in the mouth.

You take 16 of them a day at first (4 at a time) to build up your reserves, then go onto a maintenance dose.

It's like magic.

christinarossetti not all magnesiums are created equal. Good luck.
Fab name!

I used to get this, then discovered I was pre diabetic so I concentrated on getting my blood sugar down to normal levels which I did by low carbing. And I never got restless legs again!
My blood sugar was only just into pre diabetic levels but I'm sure it was the cause of my restless legs.

No alcohol
Excercise that stretches calves
Iron

Mines gone hopefully for good!

I used an aftersun cream that had menthol stuff in, which cooled my legs and worked like magic, as a temporary relief.

But long term, second the no drinking thing, the diet/exercise and the pre diabetes. It sucks but it is true.