Introduction

[leapylegs]

I have suffered with what I called 'leapy legs' for 35 years. it manifests during rest times but, thankfully not when sleeping. I ;have found that if I keep my hands busy with craft or cards I can keep symptoms at bay. I no longer visit the cinema or theatre, watching tv does not bring relief but sitting before the computer does. I have come to believe that this is a malfunction of the part of the brain controlling movement. the trigger to rest no longer works efficiently and you have to trick the brain into thinking you are still active. I was interested in reading of the member who has RLS in her arms as over the last two years I have been experiencing pins and needles in my right hand. tests have shown this to be a trapped nerve in my upper arm, but now I wonder. Neither of my parents suffered in this way, but both my children do. I watched the Channel 5 programme on 4th April but was disappointed as it gave little information about the condition, causes or likely treatments, just the three examples. I would be interested in hearing if anyone else finds handwork a relief to symptoms.

[Angelaanddanny]

Yes if I knit it takes away all restlessness

[Hidden]

I stretch using Yoga techniques as hard as I can and it helps although I was having a particular bad day pushed myself too hard stretching and have bloody gone and hurt my legs and back :(.

Have you looked at diet, Gentle Iron and drug regiemes. Also check that you are not taking antihistamines or antidepressants that are making it worse.

Good luck.

[leapylegs in reply to Hidden]

Thank you raffs for the advice. I already cut carbohydrates to a minimum and there is little sugar in my diet. plenty of protein and fruit and vegatables. have to limit hard cheese. i don't really want to go down the medication route as I am now in my 70s and have already been prescribed medication for a couple of unrelated conditions. I feel that having too much medication at my age turns one into a 'patient' and there is a knock on effect to any drug. but I am going to try magnesium and will continue with the craft work until the restlessness gets too much or if it effects me during sleep. Exercise is a funny one, as a little often keeps one supple and active but too much encourages RLS to an extreme degree of pain.

[Hidden in reply to leapylegs]

Check that the drugs you are on are not making things worse - antihistamines, anti-depressants and many others make it worse unfortunately. Try skipping gluten as opposed to carbs and look into gentle Iron, there are some very knowledgeable contributors on here that can give great advice on that.

look out for caffeine and yes Tea has caffeine and watch out for alcohol another no no.

[kicinskil]

Yes, I have found the same. I haven't contributed to this site before but read people's comments every morning so it's time I did. It is wonderful indeed to know that I'm not on my own and to have the advice and support of so many others. I have had RLS for over 10 years. I take Pramipexole and codeine at night so that I can sleep and sometimes a sleeping aid too. I find going to cinema or concerts virtually impossible. I wanted to share the things that have helped me. Two things have been life savers - the first of these is knitting. If I knit in the evening I am able to relax and enjoy TV. Before I took up knitting, I had to watch TV while walking up and down my sitting room. Now I sit and watch like a "normal" person. The other thing that has helped a lot is to stop drinking any alcohol - not a magic cure, but it's helped. The next thing I'm going to try is to eliminate sugar from my diet after midday. Hope this helps somebody as much as I've been helped. Thank you so much to all the people who contribute to this site. Tigger.