Stabbing, Needle like pains before RL... - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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Stabbing, Needle like pains before RLS kicks in

Joolsg profile image
23 Replies

Does anyone else get stabbing pains in their knees or toes , like someone is pricking you with a needle, just before the RLS starts in one leg or the other? I have noticed it is what jerks me awake as the RLS starts up & just now, I was wide awake & felt as though someone stabbed me 3 times in the knee with a needle & sure enough, the RLS has started up.

Or maybe it's just me. Ah well, off to pace around & stretch...

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Joolsg profile image
Joolsg
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23 Replies
Pippins2 profile image
Pippins2

Yes i do!!! I know for certain it means RLS is coming and fast.I have heard it from a few others too

X

Cathy12345 profile image
Cathy12345 in reply to Pippins2

Same thing happens to me.

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg in reply to Cathy12345

Interesting- definitely a pattern here,

Jools

Pippins2 profile image
Pippins2

I liken it to a crab nipping lol

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg in reply to Pippins2

How very interesting. Glad I'm not just imagining a connection Pipps.

Jose651 profile image
Jose651

Joolsg,

Have you ever had your Vitamin B12 and Folate tested. Pins and needles are a sign of low B12. Check out the symptoms on the PAS forum.

J 😊🍀

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg in reply to Jose651

It's not pins & needles. It is literally like someone is stabbing me in one small space with a sharp needle. I have MS as well so am very aware what pins & needles is like. Completely different to what I am describing here.

My B12 & folate levels are fine.

LoisTonya profile image
LoisTonya

Hi Joolsg,

I get pins and needles in the night from the waist down when the jerks start. Doing about 10 minutes of household chores eases it and I can sleep for an hour or so before a repeat performance. The neurologist sent me for an MRI scan but my spinal cord was OK

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg in reply to LoisTonya

Hi LoisTonya,

It's definitely not pins & needles. It is in one very specific place in the big toe or behind my knee & it is like someone has a very sharp needle or knife and is stabbing it deep into one very small area. It only lasts for about a second or two and then the RLS deep seated crawling sensation comes on.

x

Pippins2 profile image
Pippins2

If Jools means the same as i experience its not pins n needles just 2/3 quick short sharp stabs x

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg in reply to Pippins2

Absolutely Pipps. Nothing like pins & needles.

2everett profile image
2everett

Hi

I have felt like someone is sticking a pin in the ball of my foot a few times. On reflection my RLS started soon afterwards.

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg in reply to 2everett

Yes- that's what I get. It's sharp enough to make me jump. Sometimes in my big toe, sometimes in the ball of my foot & sometimes behind my knee. I usually get 2 or 3 isolated stabs & then RLS starts up within 5/10 mins.

Jools

mckerr profile image
mckerr

You described it exactly- like a pin prick in my feet and then it starts.

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg

OOh, there's definitely a link here isn't there? At least 4 of us with exactly the same stabbing sensation. Bet there are more,

Jools

Neil46 profile image
Neil46

Yes I'm sure there are many more. I haven't had it in the knee area yet, though. Many times a single stab in the foot, enough to make me jump up. Soon after an "electric surge" through my legs means no sleep for at least a few hours and pacing round and round the kitchen table.

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg in reply to Neil46

I still get it about once a week & it makes me jump too.

Noddedoffagain profile image
Noddedoffagain

Me too. I get it in the hip & know I am in for a severe session of RLS

Eryl profile image
Eryl

Thather than say 'me too', i'd hope to offer a remedy by first asking what do you drink? as urination is related to fluid intake.

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg in reply to Eryl

I’m confused. Not sure how sharp stabbing pains in feet, hips, knees before an RLS attack relate to fluid intake/urination.

Eryl profile image
Eryl in reply to Joolsg

Food and drink can bring on rls, so as urination usually followes consumption. Knowing what you drink might shine light on the cause of the nerve stimulation.

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg in reply to Eryl

I acknowledge that certain foods and drink can bring on an RLS attack but as I don’t drink alcohol or caffeine and follow a vegan, gluten free, sugar free, additive free diet I doubt that food/drink is causing my stabbing pains before an RLS attack.

I just have MS and severe RLS.

niabxxx profile image
niabxxx

I know what you mean. I've had these restless legs for 45 years and after a couple of decades I really started to focus on the sensations and what led up to the actual horrible feeling of the restless leg syndrome pain. For me it starts as a subtle pressure that is uncomfortable and vague and I don't really know where it comes from. Definitely I'm starting to lose energy and at that point I can tell that I will be having an restless leg episode very very quickly. Almost immediately I get faint feelings like an electrical charge that gets more intense and more intense and more intense until finally it just explodes in a complete painful experience in almost every nerve of one's body. But to get this Full Effect one has to completely relax their body and let the pain come over them and go through them completely. It's hard to do because most of the time we tense up and resist the pain and get up and try to get away from it. But it's an interesting experience to just lay there and relax and just let the pain wash over you a very very interesting feeling. Horrible

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