Sleep or exercise?

[ScribblerCLT]

I am fairly regularly getting 6+ hours sleep thanks to Magnesium gel. But when I wake at 5am, the RLS makes sleep impossible until well after my 6am Sinemet, and I am really sleep-deprived. Do you prefer to try to go back to sleep (often unsuccessful) for immediate relief or get up and exercise for long-term benefits?

[asmckay]

You could benefit from more magnesium. i think that it is hard to get enough from the gel. i would try this as well amazon.co.uk/Healthy-Origin...

This form of magnesium is quite gentle and since it is in powder form you can take as little or as much as you wish. I would start with 1/4 scoop at night and gradually increase it to a scoop.

This report may interest you (my work)

mdsabstracts.org/abstract/e...

[suetdumpling in reply to asmckay]

Why not eating more banana? This helps me To fall asleep. From. Suet dumpling

[asmckay in reply to suetdumpling]

Lots of good things in bananas, but it takes a lot of bananas to get our needs filled - 12 banans a day for potassium, for example. And they are sugar packed,

which is not so great. Lack of magnesium stems from depleted soils

[ScribblerCLT in reply to asmckay]

Thanks. I will raise it with my somnologist as well. I think we are both agreed that neuro meds for me may not be the first choice. Levodopa works, at least.

[ForViolet]

I think it would be smarter to exercise when you awaken, and then, rest after the med takes effect. Sounds like it won't work to try sleeping with the restless legs going on.

It is hard to get a good enough dose w the gel alone.

[ScribblerCLT in reply to ForViolet]

0h, It is so hard to turn up the willpower when you just want more sleep!

[chartist]

ScribblerCLT,

Could you tell me where exactly you are applying the mag gel?

Art

[ScribblerCLT in reply to chartist]

Down my diaphragm and horizontally across my belly. Then I do both legs, more on the calves and very lightly elsewhere, slightly heavier on either side and just below both knees, and a little on soles of feet.

[chartist in reply to ScribblerCLT]

Have you ever applied it to your lower spine( bottom third) and horizontally across hip area in an upside down "T" formation to see if that offered any relief from RLS?

Art

[ScribblerCLT in reply to chartist]

I will try. Instead of the legs?

[chartist in reply to ScribblerCLT]

Yes, you are only trying to eliminate the nerves traveling from the lower spine into the legs as a possible cause. If application in this area temporarily alleviates the RLS, you can possibly apply less mag gel or use it in conjunction with an oral magnesium that is well absorbed such as magnesium glycinate which can also help with sleep.

Art

[ScribblerCLT in reply to chartist]

That is a great observation. I will try it and see

[chartist in reply to ScribblerCLT]

Please let us know how it goes for you as that will be useful information for the forum as RLS and lower and upper back issues such as spinal stenosis are frequently mentioned on this forum.

Art

[ScribblerCLT in reply to chartist]

Will do.

[ScribblerCLT]

So I tried about a week, with magnesium chloride gel up in an upside down capital T on my front from sternum to navel, and on my back on lower third of my spine to tailbone, then across joining both hips. It calmed my legs, but I needed an extra bit with a little gel on my calves. It’s been a fraught week, so that might have been a factor, plus my left leg has been sore for six months because of gait imbalance. I have averaged less sleep, 4-5 hours vs 6 with gel slathered one both legs, but it feels so much less sticky this way. An added bonus might be improved digestion; it helps loosen the bowels (I think) - a relief given Parkie constipation.