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Original poster

My restless legs are driving me MAD

95 replies

Mrstrumpalot · 24/08/2017 01:00

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.

OP posts:
nameohnameohname · 25/08/2017 08:30

Oh god, me too. I have to stretch them all fucking night.

Is it linked to the menopause?

GretaGarbled · 25/08/2017 08:52

DH suffers from this, to the extent we can't share a bed, and it was starting to bother him in the day too. He tried supplements, no difference. Didn't want to take the drugs the doc offered - they were for Parkinson's and seemed pretty hard core.

What did work was he gave up caffeine, which helped greatly. Also lowered alcohol (too much to cut it out entirely! But just one/two nights a week). Whenever we have a heavy drinking period, e.g. holidays, he gets much worse. Tiredness is also a killer, as is lack of exercise.

RWBY · 25/08/2017 21:21

I agree that tiredness and stress makes it worse for me. I do find that a session of yoga (even though I'm pretty rubbish!) can really help my legs at night

Sharptic · 25/08/2017 21:29

I have only had rls while pregnant and aneamic. Feel ur pain, it's so tiring.

NC4now · 25/08/2017 21:34

Oh god, it's hideous isn't it?

I take myself off to the sofa when it strikes so at least DH can get some sleep. I distract myself MNing like you are, and take full whack co-codamol if it gets really bad.

It's got better since I started doing more exercise, touch wood.

RWBY · 25/08/2017 21:39

Can I ask if anyone else happens to be taking SSRIs and if so has it affected your restless legs? My legs have been so much worse since I've been on Sertraline. My doctor said it should wear off but it just seems to be getting worse

MoonfaceAndSilky · 25/08/2017 21:44

Mine seems tied to iron deficient anemia - I've found that when I can get my iron levels up it disappears

I agree. I have found a definite correlation between my restless legs and lack of iron. Maybe it could be iron and magnesium that is needed, op?

NC4now · 25/08/2017 22:07

RWBY I take Sertraline. It seems to be worse if I skip them (like all side effects).

Original poster
Mrstrumpalot · 25/08/2017 22:49

Goodness, so many people suffering and yet there doesn't appear to be a definitive medical solution.
I do not drink alcohol or coffee so can't blame that.

But I am quite a bit overweight and don't do any proper exercise although I do walk a lot.
Following the advice of many on this thread I have bought some magnesium supplements but they are massive! Should I take them long term if they work?

As I mentioned at the start I take pramipexole but they do not seem to be working as well as they did and I am absolutely fed up.
Am menopausal as well so constantly hot in bed, so not having a very good time of it really. I desperately just want to go to bed and have a good nights sleep. I really can't remember when that last happened.

OP posts:
RWBY · 25/08/2017 23:03

Did anyone see a documentary a few months ago (think it was on Channel 4) about restless legs? I remember a couple setting up a night vision camera to record the movements and immediately DH said that I am like that every night, kicking and thrashing about.

Since I've been on Sertraline though I can't even get to the stage of going to sleep. It's excruciating

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 25/08/2017 23:08

I get restless legs

Not to your level though

Its usually when i am overtired or tired in a cramped space

As mine isnt that serious or frequent i tend to give up and watch telly down stairs...i am shattered though when i do this. Sometimes walkng round for a bit helps or showering my lower legs. But as i said its no where near the level of yours

I am sorry

MyWhatICallNameChange · 25/08/2017 23:40

I get them, got them for the first time when pregnant (used to commute home on the train and have to walk up and down the carriage instead of sitting)

I do sometimes get them during the day which is awful if I'm somewhere where I have to sit still.

I don't drink alcohol or caffeine that often, but I might be anaemic so should take iron tablets again.

I find lying with my legs raised helps most of the time. Not all the time though - the other night I got 1.5 hours sleep because nothing helped. Sad

I watched the programme about it but it was just about people's experiences, there was nothing on there about how to help alleviate symptoms.

RWBY · 25/08/2017 23:56

I agree, the programme didn't give any advice, but I for one was just relieved to find out I am not alone. Plus at that point I wasn't aware that my legs were kicking in the night, it was a revelation when DH could show me how my legs were thrashing about

Piglet208 · 26/08/2017 08:37

I tried the magnesium spray for the first time last night. My legs had been ridiculously restless all evening. The spray tingled loads and it lasted half an hour which suggests I am low on magnesium according to the instructions. Anyway I then fell asleep and slept all night so seems promising.

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 26/08/2017 09:45

Oh that does sound good piglet

Where did you get it from

Piglet208 · 26/08/2017 10:03

Amazon. It's called Better You Goodnight Magnesium Oil. Reduced to £7.85 at the moment so it's worth a try.

Rufustherenegadereindeer1 · 26/08/2017 10:06

Lovely thank you very much

MiaowTheCat · 26/08/2017 10:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RWBY · 27/08/2017 01:29

Glad you got some sleep Piglet. I've just had a bloody freezing shower in the hope that it will settle my restless legs tonight. Followed by a good spray of magnesium oil

ibbleobbleblackbubble · 27/08/2017 02:05

I sometimes get this, I find using one of those very powerful 'magic wand' style vibrators on the part which feels most twitchy can help.
Usually soles of my feet.

It can be very strange and distressing

ChipInTheSugar · 29/08/2017 21:30

I've tried the Mag Oil spray - it burned like fuck on my legs last night - I assumed because I'd shaved that morning; but when I put some on DS(8) tonight he said it made his legs itchy. Has anyone else had this reaction?

RWBY · 29/08/2017 21:50

Apparently if your legs burn or itch it means that you have a magnesium deficiency. I don't know how true that is though

SerfTerf · 29/08/2017 22:38

Yes, that's the explanation given.

I've certainly found it true that when I use it daily, the tingle/itch gets less with each use, but if I take a break from it, it's worse again and on next use.

RWBY · 29/08/2017 22:56

Strangely my legs have been getting worse at night so I've started the magnesium spray again but it doesn't seem to be helping as much as it used to

ChipInTheSugar · 29/08/2017 22:58

Ah - strange! I'll try a little less tonight.

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