Restless legs

[Cathy777]

I seem to be experiencing this syndrome lately and wonder if anyone has any tips. I just shift my legs constantly and cannot relax.

[weathervane]

My sister suffers badly from this and finds she has to go for a walk or go up and down the stairs 2-3 times . My father-in-law also suffers with restless legs and OA in knees so i got him a mini cycle that he can use sitting and it has helped him . It is a horrible condition, I hope you find something that helps you xx

[Philip]

HiHi , if you see your gp ask for QUININE it's used for moskito bites, or there's tonic water and Indian tonic water, look at labels to to if it's in the drink. I still them but when I'm really bad with it, I go to bed and stretch as far as you can and go straight to sleep. I hope this helps,

[helenlw7 in reply to Philip]

I went to my gp a few years ago with really bad cramp, and restless legs. I'd had them both for many years and was getting to the end of my tether. He told me he had an answer for the cramp but there wasn't anything he could give me for the restless legs. I have taken quinine since then and the cramp has virtually disappeared apart from very occasional excruciating cramp in my thighs. Also, strangely I get less restless legs episodes, certainly not several times a night, so there must be something in the quinine!

[Gnarli in reply to Philip]

I use Indian tonic water for the Quinine for cramp too. I was told it dilated the small blood vessels. I used to like it with gin too

J

[Cathy777 in reply to Gnarli]

I actually like tonic water on its own too. Will stock up.

[lornaisobel]

tonic water - its the quinine in the tonic water that helps or you can get quinnine from Drs

[Moomin8]

Snap!

[Cathy777]

Oh thanks! Who needs doctors with you lovely lot! Funny cos I was on hydrochloriquin which I think has quinine in it and I have recently come off them. So my sudden restless legs could be due to that. I will certainly get some tonic water (should that be taken with or without vodka?)

X

[Philip in reply to Cathy777]

Lmao, just water I think and the alcohol a little bit later.

[Moomin8]

I'd definitely go with a slimline tonic and gin (Hendricks of course) and a slice - nay, I mean a ribbon of cool cucumber with ice please 😁

[Cathy777]

Well that sounds like my kind of medicine. I will ask my gp if I can get gin on prescription as its purely medicinal.

[sylvi]

Put a bar of soap between the sheet and mattress cover and see how that works. It really does work as daft as it sounds.xxxx

[Philip in reply to sylvi]

Any soap in particular? Lol, it'll be like the pea under the kings materess lol.

[sylvi in reply to Philip]

Any soap you like Philip.xxx

[karools16 in reply to sylvi]

Sylvi, I read something about restless legs and soap in bed, on this forum, a few months ago, and it works!!!

[Cathy777]

Who on earth discovered that! But I will try it. Thanks!

[Philip in reply to Cathy777]

Please let us know, it's not the carbolic stuff is it lol

[sylvi in reply to Philip]

No it isn't darling.xxx

[Patsy-Somerset]

I too have this- especially cramp in the night-I stretch my legs before getting into bed and take tonic water to sip and leave a glass by side.

I know its an old wives tale but putting a bar of soap underneath the sheet at the bottom of the bed seems to help and was even recommended by my old doctor who said many of his patients said it worked!!!????? no gin though.

Patsy-Somerset

[Cathy777 in reply to Patsy-Somerset]

Well I may as well try! But I bet enough gin would work too.

[dwsurquhart]

I have that a bit as well.

My GP prescribed Xanaflex. It is a fast acting short duration muscle relaxer generally ised by MS sufferers. Gets me to sleep in approximately 1/2 hour and i can sleep most of the night now.

Never heard of the bar of soap idea. Should make for some seriously clean sheets though. Haha

[Barrister]

My husband suffered from this - some nights it feel like we have the whole troop of Riverdance in the bed, lol! Since he's been taking magnesium supplements it's been much better. We bought a magnesium spray and he sprays that on his legs and it works very well. Clemmie

[Hidden]

Hi Cathy, The name it is given does not do it justice ! Although not life threatening and therefore pretty much ignored y my rheumy, I felt it was one of the problems I had that really got me down, as it meant I could not rest day or night. My neurologist, however, took it very seriously. It was he who explained it was a neurological problem and should be dealt with as such. I have found that the use of gabapentine has made a big difference to me getting some rest at night. I still feel it but it is not as intense.

[Shazzzy]

Epsom salts in bath(or bowl if cannot use bath) . Magnesium spray oil on legs before bedtime, lack of magnesium causes restless legs and cramps.

[Cathy777 in reply to Shazzzy]

Thanks Shazzy. I like Epsom salts. Must get some.

[Gnarli]

Reckon I had about three hours sleep last night due to cramp, snoring dog and a wobbly tummy AND the tonic had gone flat. Grrr

J