Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Has anyone got restless legs syndrome?

25 replies

Stumpedasatree · 22/10/2019 15:41

I am having a lot of trouble getting to sleep at night (and am dead on my feet now!). When I am trying to sleep, I feel a compulsive need to move my legs around - last night I think I spent 20 minutes just moving my legs up and down in bed thinking at least it will tire me out and help me sleep if nothing else. I also run a lot so don't know if this is just a side effect of not running yesterday?!

Any advice would be appreciated!

OP posts:

karala · 22/10/2019 15:43

I have this - sometimes I take paracetamol which helps with the aching

Original poster

Stumpedasatree · 22/10/2019 15:47

Oh thanks @karala. Do you get it worse at night? Also I forgot to put in my OP I don't even know if it is RLS, I guess that was part of my question!

OP posts:

AuntieMarys · 22/10/2019 15:48

Yes! Exercise helps...but would be interested to know what helps other people

karala · 22/10/2019 15:51

I've never had an official diagnosis - it's just something that I've had for much of my life. When I'm sitting I find it very difficult to keep my legs still and they ache a lot when I sit. I do find moving around helps a lot. Yes it does get much worse at night, especially when I'm warm for some reason. I think some people suffer a lot of pain with it - mine is manageable but annoying. I think it's annoying for DH too because I'm always fidgeting in bed

FurryGrapes · 22/10/2019 15:51

I get this at night sometimes, it is very annoying! I have found that alcohol is a huge trigger for me, I nearly always get it after having alcohol. I read that magnesium supplements help with it so I've been taking them, and I think they have helped somewhat.

Aquamarine1029 · 22/10/2019 15:53

Restless legs are one of the top symptoms for magnesium deficiency. I would be getting a high quality supplement asap.

isitxmasyet · 22/10/2019 15:53

Get your iron levels checked
Iron can be low in runners (foot strike haemolysis) and obviously lower in menstruating women and low iron can cause RLS.

Be sure to hydrate properly and replace electrolytes after long or sweaty runs and make sure you stretch.

MickeyMouse21 · 22/10/2019 15:53

Yes!! I use magnesium oil, it tingles slightly when I put it on at first but works for me.

Original poster

Stumpedasatree · 22/10/2019 15:54

Yes I also find it hard to sit without jittering my legs and have been that way for years, I always thought I had a lot of unspent energy! It drives my family crazy. I am not sure that alcohol is my trigger, but will keep an eye on it.

OP posts:

Original poster

Stumpedasatree · 22/10/2019 15:55

I have been taking oral magnesium luckily, I shall try the oil!

OP posts:

motherofdoodles · 22/10/2019 15:59

I suffer from this, tried magnesium oil and capsules but what has worked brilliantly is magnesium salts, you mix them in water . Taste like Andrews liver salts eughh but work!

swingofthings · 22/10/2019 19:08

I get this occasionally, part of the menopausal joy. One thing that is known to help is taking magnesium, ideally the gel form that you rub on your leg.

ValancyRedfern · 23/10/2019 14:47

Yes. I hate it. I have to exercise HARD every day to get rid of it but I don't always have the time or the energy in the rest of my body. I often feeling like Wallace falling asleep while The Wrong Trousers keep marching on! I was prescribed something but the side effects scared me off. Forgot about magnesium. Will try and get some this afternoon.

Original poster

Stumpedasatree · 23/10/2019 16:24

@ValancyRedfern yes, I can relate to that. My legs start aching as well after more than a couple of days of not doing my regular running. It's ridiculous! And very uncomfortable. I actually thought it was in my head but I don't think so.

OP posts:

WalnutBerry · 23/10/2019 21:14

Better You magnesium lotion is good.

I had horrendous RLS after surgery, I had no idea what had hit me. I then heard about the magnesium issue which made sense as all the drugs I'd had must have depleted it. I hope it goes soon.

riotlady · 23/10/2019 21:30

I’ve never had a diagnosis but get a horrible crawling sensation in my legs sometimes that makes me twitch and move them. I find pressure sometimes helps, I use flight stockings

Hecateh · 23/10/2019 23:00

Another vote for magnesium - but definitely the glycinate rather that other versions - though oil and other skin contact ones can add to it.

This is mine amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B073Q5DHZN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1]] not cheap but this quantity lats 4 months so not ott (and I'm on a tight budget but still worth it) and you can buy fewer to try first.

Research magnesium supplements though to learn more

ArnoldBee · 23/10/2019 23:05

We have a pet cooling mat in our bed - it's helped hubby a lot.

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 23/10/2019 23:20

I've had this all my life on and off so I'm delighted to have found this thread. The worst was when I had knee replacement surgery and although unable to move my leg I was still getting it. Long haul flights - nightmare!

It's always at night when I'm tired. Worse when I have been asleep and then woken up. I find getting up and going for a walk around the house helps. Partly the change in temperature and partly just flexing the muscles. I have been known to find an empty bed to sleep in which is cool and where I can't disturb DH!

I'm going to try one of the magnesium remedies.🤞

OITNBfan · 23/10/2019 23:25

I have this too. It drives me mad. I used to have it every night but found it improved when I was treated with iron tablets for anaemia; an incidental finding.

Walnutwhipster · 23/10/2019 23:33

I have pernicious and iron deficiency anaemia. I know when I need a B12 injection or iron infusion because RLS drives me mad. Might be worth getting your levels checked.

TwistedFairytales · 24/10/2019 08:52

Yes! Its awful. Mine sometimes spreads to my whole body so i end up thrashing around. My triggers are caffeine and tiredness. I sometimes take ibuprofen, have soaked my legs in cold water before and even resorted to buying flight socks and wearing them in bed. Was 100 times worse when i was pregnant. Exercise is supposed to help maybe try yoga? Ugh its miserable.

KatieB55 · 24/10/2019 11:51

Alcohol is also a trigger for me. Thanks for the info re magnesium.

toomanydicksonthedancefloor1 · 24/10/2019 12:01

Me too, just happens at night. Exercise helps, but if I overdo the exercise it can exacerbate it. I have found alcohol and sugar to be triggers for mine, also being dehydrated. Things that help for me:-

Magnesium and iron supplements
Not exercising late in the day
No binging on chocolate in the evening!
Pacing up and down when it's really bad, pointless trying to lie there trying to sleep
Leg stretches, the sort you would do to cool down after exercise
Take paracetamol AND ibuprofen
Drink plenty of water throughout the day

If it happens often and is affecting your life I would visit your GP. I believe there are medications that can help if needed, although I've never visited my doctor.

HorseGallopingOnATomato · 24/11/2019 07:34

I’ve had restless legs since early childhood too! Worse in late evening or when I wake in the middle of the night. I absolutely cannot wear tights or skinny jeans for more than a couple of hours, as that aggravates it too. I also get restless arms, shoulders and jaw. It’s a horrible sensation, isn’t it?

Flip