Restless leg syndrome??: Hi everyone. I am a... - Pain Concern

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Restless leg syndrome??

Pansies100 profile image
18 Replies

Hi everyone. I am a 39 year old female. And think I might be suffering restless leg syndrome? It is more my feet than my legs which are bothering me. I don't get this every night. But when I do my feet feel very uncomfortable with a creeping crawling feeling . And I am unable to keep them still. I had to get up as am keeping my partner awake. I suffer fibromyalgia and cfs. Diabetes. A mental health condition. IBS. Insomnia. Rhinitis. Athletes foot at times. And currently am suffering from frozen shoulder. And having physio. I take amitriptyline, zopiclone, diazepam, aripiprazole, metformin, lisinopril, fenofexadine, naproxen, paracetamol, meberberine, lansoprazole, nasonex spray. Sometimes gabapentin for neuralgia. Do you think it might be restless leg syndrome? If so does anyone know what causes it please. What to do about it. Is there anything I can take. Should I tell my gp. Some time s the cold seems to make the unpleasant feeling in my feet worse. Thank you. From Sarah

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etheral profile image
etheral

Amitriptyline or other tricycilic antidepressants can cause this. Consider switch in to aSSRI.

Pansies100 profile image
Pansies100 in reply to etheral

Thank you etheral. I will mention it next time I see my Dr and ask for advice. That might be worth a try. Something else I have thought of which happens too at night. Even more than restless leg. Yet might be related. I am not sure. Just as I am drifting off to sleep. My legs quite often spasm or jerk. This doesn't help my insomnia. As I wake myself straight back up. And my partner too. This has been happening for years. Since my late teens to early 20s. Before the diagnosis of fibromyalgia and before being put on amitryptiline. I have read somewhere that this jerking may be related to restless leg syndrome problem?? Though not sure.

Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1 in reply to Pansies100

You will be better posting this on the Restless Legs Thread on HU.

There is a wealth of knowledge there.

Rls is triggered by many foods and medications. This sounds like your case with intermittent rls.

See you over there.😆

Pansies100 profile image
Pansies100 in reply to Madlegs1

Thank you for this Madlegs1

saj01 profile image
saj01

Hi Sarah, often as not restless legs is caused by a mineral salts imbalance, usually magnesium and potassium. It's very common for diabetics and people with kidney problems as certain foods are restricted. If your diet allows try to increase the amounts of those two by upping certain veggies , and decrease protein. You can check on the net the nutritional values of any foods, and there's website which will tell you what's high in those minerals .I find having banana late evening helps because of the mineral content- but that might not be practical for you, but it is a quick fix. I also take magnesium malate. Failing that have a chat with your dietician Hope that helps

Pansies100 profile image
Pansies100 in reply to saj01

Thank you for your reply saj01 and the helpful information. I will have a look on the net as regards nutritional values of foods As regards to increasing magnesium and potassium in my diet. It is definitely worth a try!! I could also look in a health food shop as regards increasing my intake.

saj01 profile image
saj01 in reply to Pansies100

Hi Sarah, if you are thinking of supplements, beware that tablets contain fillers and binders, some of which are not particularly good for you. There's different types of magnesium too, just to add to the confusion. Certain types of magnesium can cause loose bowel movements, okay if constipation is a problem. So, dietary changes are best really, but if you look up different types of magnesium on the net it will tell you which types do what. I've just ordered a magnesium malate powder, so will give it try and see if it helps me.... will let you know.

Pansies100 profile image
Pansies100 in reply to saj01

Thank you for your reply saj01. Regarding magnesium supplements. I guess I had better be careful as I do suffer from IBS also. I see that almonds, cashews and peanuts contain magnesium. Not too keen on spinach but do eat cabbage. Soy milk and black beans. Brown rice and whole wheat bread. All contain magnesium. So these are foods I could try introducing more into my diet. Thank you for this.

Heltadelta profile image
Heltadelta

Hi. My husband drinks a glassful of Tonic Water each evening before he goes to bed and finds this helps with his restless legs. It's the quinine in the Tonic that helps.

Heltadelta.

Pansies100 profile image
Pansies100 in reply to Heltadelta

Thank you Heltadelta for your reply. Will get myself a bottle of tonic water to try. Have heard before that quinine is good for cramps in the legs. Something I do get now and then. In addition to RLS. Perhaps part of the same condition?? Definitely worth a try.

Heltadelta profile image
Heltadelta in reply to Pansies100

Well my husband was advised to try it as he suffers RLS. His legs have improved 100%.

Good luck.

Heltadelta.

Pansies100 profile image
Pansies100 in reply to Heltadelta

Thank you. Am going to get myself some tonic water to try next time I go shopping. Will let you know how I get on.

Heltadelta profile image
Heltadelta in reply to Pansies100

Well all you can do is give it a go. I really hope it helps.

Janicej profile image
Janicej

I had done a long post explaining aboat Restless Legs but it disappeared of my screen!! So suffice to say I take Pramipexole on prescription from my GP nightly I still suffer but generally it does help, also someone mentioned tonic water which does have a Ingredient in it that helps. Hope that helps I know how distressing it can be, I am under a Rheumatologist for multiple serious health problem and many different medications and have been for 10 plus years I suffer absolutely agonizing pain But Rest leggs is extremely distressing problem, I Know, good luck Hope that helps.

Pansies100 profile image
Pansies100 in reply to Janicej

Thank you for your reply Janicej. Thank you for taking the time to post this message. Especially when you suffer so much pain. Sorry to hear that. Will see what my GP comes up with in relation to the problem also. And will buy a bottle of tonic water next time I go shopping.

Pansies100 profile image
Pansies100

Thank you all for your kind replies regarding my restless leg syndrome. The help and advice is much appreciated. I have some ideas now what i can try to help alleviate the symptoms. And what might be causing the problem. Have also mentioned it to my GP this morning who advised that I should have a full blood test Incase there is a deficiency I have. In which case they can proceed to treat the problem. She mentioned sodium and calcium levels would be of interest. Also said exercise routine, diet, diabetes control and sleep hygiene are important. Will keep you all posted on how I get on. Thank you so much.

Janicej profile image
Janicej

Hi there further to my post it is good and the right thing for your G P to do Bloods just to make sure there is nothing else behind your problems. I never thought when I suffered with this problem years ago there was any help but in the last 10 years have been diagnosed with multiple serious health problems seeing my Rheumatologist + other specialist but finally aboat 8 plus years ago I had been suffering with Restless legs every night worse than ever I didn't even know this was in fact a we'll documented problem, anyway I had been called up to my Docters because blood tests ect to discuss results, whilst I was with my Docter I mentioned my problem with my legs and much to my surprise she not only told me it was a well known recognized problem and she not only prescribed Pramipexole she gave me a large leaflet explaining the condition ! Restless legs is not the name that the Docter/specialist use in medical terms, the condition was discovered by this Physician approx 35 plus ago it was named after him I think he actually suffered from the condition himself the leaflet more booklet she gave me is very informative I never for years realized it was a documented problem and but, for me having suffered a rearly bad few weeks I would never have mentioned it! I am so glad I did, it was more like while I am here and a bad few weeks I am so glad I did . hope that helps with yourself or in fact anyone who suffers with the condition.

Pansies100 profile image
Pansies100

Hi all. Hope you are all OK. Further to my posts on Restless Leg Syndrome. My blood test results showed I am very low on iron - haemoglobin levels. And am extremely deficient in Vitamin D. So have started on ferrous sulphate 200 mg. 3 times daily. And a very strong dosage of vitamin D3. 1 a week for six weeks. Heavy menstrual cycles and my vegetarian diet could possibly partly be to blame for the deficiencies. GP will keep me monitored with blood tests. And adjust the dosages accordingly. I notice insomnia is one of the symptoms of low iron also. It is inconclusive yet whether tablets are making me feel an improvement. As have had a terrible week. Had our cat. We have had her 11 years. Put to sleep on Monday 5th March. As she suffered kidney failure. We knew she had kidney disease for 5 months prior to her loss. At the finish she kept being sick and wasn't eating or drinking and became dehydrated. And incontinent. It is heart breaking and nothing could prepare us for all the pain and upset we feel at her loss. We think she was 13 years old. We took her in from a stray who turned up in our garden one day meowing. We fed her. She kept coming back. Till eventually she was brave enough to come in our house. Not sure if we adopted her or she adopted us lol. Just keep crying and looking for her. Expecting her to appear. And realising she's not there. It's horrible what has to happen. She was a lovely cat. So to sum things up a terrible week or so. Hopefully start to see an improvement soon.

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