Restless legs

[TwowaystoUrmston]

Does/did anyone else suffer with this in peri and does hrt help? Please tell me it does because it's fucking unbearable, like my bones are itching with intermittent electric shocks thrown in for good measure. It will stop when I go to bed but I'm getting no relax-time in the evenings because I can't sit still and the feeling is so intense and so annoying I can't concentrate on anything else. Think it's getting worse along with my other symptoms so am gearing up for a trip to the GP, not overly hopeful as I've already been dismissed once (older female GP who told me at 44yo I was 'far too young' for anything menopause related) and I really don't feel able for a fight

Definitely HRT. There's a FB group called Menopausal Not Mad that will give you all the up to date, non scaremongering information to arm yourself with when you visit your GP. Whose advice and training is woefully inadequate to say the least
I'm 61, started HRT last year and it's absolutely life changing

Oh yes OP! Restless legs are driving me MAD!!! My periods stopped last year, came back early this year for a bit and the hot flushes do seem to have calmed down a bit. But oh god the restless legs! I didn't know they could be a peri symptom.

My periods are ridiculous, complete erratic and ranging from 3 days of spotting to 8 weeks (yep, 8 fucking weeks!!) of horrendous flooding with no discernible pattern so I can't even predict when I'm due. I can't sleep, up every 3-4 hours either because I'm too hot or need a wee or just for no reason at all and then I can't settle back off. My mild hot flushes are becoming major, so sudden and intense I feel like I can't breathe which then makes me panic and I feel even hotter, and the PMT (which I've never suffered with before the last few months) is definitely worsening, I feel downright ragey today.

Sorry for ranting but I really needed that! Also sorry (and a bit glad) to see I'm not alone with the restless legs, they're just the cherry on this utterly shit cake. I'm in bed now and they've still not stopped, I'm practically doing a horizontal riverdance I'm nearly 48 now, surely the GP can't fob me off with 'you're too young' this time? Will check out that FB group Carlycat, thank you.

Hi, I have suffered with Restless legs syndrome for years, well before my 40s.
Magnesium glycinate helps me. Also check your iron levels as I think mine is related to that too. Supplementing with magnesium and iron (after gp telling me my ferritin was low) and staying hydrated helps me...
Good luck, I feel for you. Restless leg syndrome is Awful!

Are restless legs connected with brain zaps?

I had a horrendous night of brain zaps a week ago, I was literally zonked out for 2 or 3 days afterwards. It kept me awake all night, and coincided with getting the monthly cycle. I'm 43 and not on any meds. Got the monthly cycle and treated myself to wine the next night to ensure I would sleep. Last Sunday I was hung over, dehydrated and weak. I was very dizzy over the next few days, and weak.

Anyway - I think the RLS and Brain zaps can coincide and I also think there is a connection with dehydration and generally being run down and exhausted.

I've cut out the booze and I'm taking vitamins and drinking more water and I hope this will help.

The average age of menopause is 51 and range is 45-55. If younger blood tests can be done to help determine if in peri-menopause following the Nice Menopause Guidelines. www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations

Anyone considering HRT can use this symptom checker - tick off all that apply then discuss with your GP. menopausesupport.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/MENOPAUSE-SYMPTOM-CHECKER-Nov-20.pdf

It might be that other things need ruling out and also look at lifestyle measures eg exercise and diet. Magnesium can help some but has variable results as do other supplements.

Better You magnesium spray worked wonders for me and for others I've recommended it to. Since being on HRT I rarely have to use it, so its seems it was probably a menopause symptom.

Tonic water is said to help restless legs.
I had them when my ferritin was low.

oh yes, this was my worst peri symptom! Not sure why it was called 'restless' legs and for me it was downright painful - especially at night when I was trying to sleep. HRT sorted it out and magnesium spray if I get any flare ups!

I think dehydration made it worse, as I used to get it badly on hot holidays - spent several nights in Turkey literally crying with pain all night. DH was beside himself as he couldn't do anything to help!

I've had this for years. It does seem hormone related as its worse when I have my period. Can anyone recommend a magnesium spray - they range from £9-£20 on Amazon. Is it worth spending more or are they all basically the same thing?

Try taking an iron supplement, or increasing the dose if you take it already.

I wasn't anaemic but increasing my iron
dose (for other reasons) has made a huge difference and I hardly suffer at all any more 😊

I had this and realized eventually that it was linked to being low in ferritin. Iron supplements have helped enormously with this as well as other symptoms which I had assumed were to do with being peri menopausal - anxiety, tiredness etc. Well worth asking the GP for a blood test.

Ferritin over 80 is supposed to help, my Gp checked mine and we raised but I think it was the oestrogen - it's hard to tell if it's caused by this or low oestrogen (formulation) though so use both barrels!

This is the one I use and was recommended to me (prob on here!)
BetterYou Magnesium Sleep Body... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002VPDX56?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

You can make up your own with dry salts too which ends up cheaper in the long run. Magnesium Chloride Flakes 1kg tub https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00837Q5BA?ref=ppxpoppmobappshare

Instructions are on the tub.

Ideally need distilled water which Amazon does have but I have used spring water too.

Thankyou both. Have just ordered the spray to try first, then may try making my own