I’m 25 years old & female and since I was younger, around the age of 10/11 I’ve always had the urge to stretch my muscles in my wrists and lower arms and also in my calf’s. As I’ve got older, it seems like it’s gradually got worse. It’s got to the point now where it’s getting my down, I’ll be driving my car or in work and I’ll have this massive hurdle to stretch all my muscles, either in my legs and arms or my shoulders, neck and back. I also do weird things like scrunch my face up and then relax my face as if I’m stretching all the muscles. I’ve ready a few things online, most forums say either OCD or RLS. It seems to be worse when I’m stressed. I do suffer with anxiety but I just don’t know how to stop doing this. When I lay down in bed it seems to be a lot better. I’m not sure if it’s something that has just become a habit or if it’s something more serious? I am quite a panicer when it comes to my health haha. If anyone has any feedback on what this could be, I’d be very grateful.
Thanks guys.
Lauren x
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All I can say, is is is almost certainly not rls. That manifests most when trying to rest- clearly not your experience.
You could try a reputable neurologist to set you mind at rest on some more serious ailment- but I suspect it is more in the nature of stress/ panic attack that you are going through.
Maybe ask your dr for a very short course of Diazepam/Valium (1mg) to calm things down and see how things go.
It is not a cure- merely a diagnostic tool.
I hope you get through this part of your life.
Have you considered Yoga/ mindfulness/ meditation etc. Some of them might help.
Massager for Restless Legs - tracking.comfortclick.eu/SH49A my wife has restless leg syndrome. no cure but this device helps alot.
RLS you must have a urge to move your legs, It stops you from sleeping, and you find you have to get out of bed to pace, which gives relief while pacing. RLSers stretch to get relief, like the pacing only helps while stretching.
I’m a retired Nurse & suffered with RLS for 30+ years & have been on Mirapex for 15 years. I’m currently going through withdrawal (day 30) The only way you can know if this is RLS or not is to ask your Dr for a sleep study. My Sleep Specialist told me that just having RLS in your arms is rare but people do have it. Are you on any meds? What you’re describing is close to what I’ve been going through since Augmentation started 2 years ago. Surprisingly My legs starting getting better in the 2nd week of withdrawal but my symptoms have now moved up the right side of my body, both arms, Neck, shoulders & face. Everything is twitching, jerking or the RLS sensations & sound similar to the hell you are living with. I am NOT convinced that all or any of this is anxiety or “in your head.” There are conditions which mimic your symptoms. You’ve suffered long enough. Please please make appointments with a neurologist & a sleep specialist. You deserve to feel better. Some of the best medicine is the support this site gives.
A sleep study only diagnoses sleep apnea or PLMD, There is no test for RLS . A sleep study will show whats happening while you are asleep, with RLS you are awake, so no test will pick anything while you are awake. RLS is diagnose by someone explaining their symptoms to a doctor or neuro, you have to have all the criteria for RLS, to be diagnosed.
Hi. I’ve had RLS since I was a teenager and it used to be the case that lying down did get rid of it. That doesn’t apply as I’ve got older. I’ve only a couple of times experienced it in upper body but know how awful it feels. You should certainly see a doctor. I haven't tried any of the drugs for RLS as my doctor thinks I shouldn’t and I agree with her. I don’t know how successful these drugs are, though there are lots of people here who can tell you about them. I have tried a homeopathic remedy and I really don’t know whether that helped or not, or whether I was just less focussed on the restless legs and therefore it was a bit better.
There are lots of hints here on what can restlessness and I’m pinning my hopes on avoiding these triggers as being the answer for me. It's a hugely difficult task, particularly because the more you think about it, or worry about it, the worse it gets. Being overtired definitely brings it on with me. Also, if I eat more than my stomach wants for an evening meal and then follow it up by sitting still, or trying to, for the evening. Or if I’m standing for a couple of hours in the evening, or if my brain is very active in the evening. But then I don’t suffer from it during the day, as you do.
I believe a moderate exercise is helpful, but not enough to be overtired.
Before I knew that RLS was a 'real condition' and that others also suffered from it, I used to describe it as a fight between body and brain - body wants to, and needs to, rest, but brain won’t let it.
I do hope you’ll find a solution very soon. I’m very sorry to hear you have these symptoms at your age, though I have two young friends who also suffer from it, to a lesser extent. At least doctors know more about it now than they used to when I first mentioned it to them, many years ago.
Hiii omg i have it too. Have you found out what it is? Can you please please let me know. I get anxiety when slightest of changes take place regarding my health.
I'm currently a 30 year old doctor and I too have a similar issue. I get the 'urge' to stretch - usually my fingers, wrist, elbow and knees - I get a funny yet uncomfortable sensation in these areas that force me to stretch them. This is not classified as restless leg syndrome but I am yet to find a cause for this. I first had these sensations when I was 6. What I'm trying more these days is trying to break the cycle of the 'urge' response by taking deep breaths/ mindfullness/ counting to 10 etc when I get the urge, and sometimes I don't have the need to stretch them, and the symptoms have been improving to the point I don't think about it on a daily basis.
I'm wondering how you're going since 2 years has past?
I must say it is very soothing that there are some people that I can relate to about this issue.
I'm 23, and for as the past I think 5 years I am getting these urges to stretch my wrist and calf muscles. Sometimes rear thighs aswell. The sensation is kind of discomforting and not at all painful. A weird feeling, almost like a soft tingle that is not concentrated on any part of the muscle.
I guess the closest would be trying to imagine the feeling of needing to yawn in the jaw muscles, except that it is in the calf and wrist muscles.
The only time that these urges might represent any danger is when I am driving. Almost every time that I drive, I get the urge to either stretch my calf or my rear thighs. That is easier if I am standing still but if I am driving, I usually lift my left, stretch the calf muscle while trying to maintain my leg on the gas pedal.
I do not think this relates to RLS. I might be wrong.
I've had very similar feelings ever since I was a child. It really seems to flair up when I get stressed and anxious but it's always been a persistent issue.
It's hard to explain other than a feeling that I need to stretch. This happens in my ankles, elbows, wrist, neck and face.
I wonder if it's something related to my upbringing as I've always been an anxious person but have never really been to see a Doctor about it.
Have you tried meditation or something else that was helped ease the urge to do these bizarre actions? 😅
I am inclined to agree what is being described above and my response is actually RLS.
RLS is not limited to just the legs, but arms, hands, feet, even the body. Not many doctors know this as it's very uncommon, but I have recently been getting the same disturbing/ uncomfortable urge/ pull like sensation on my body as well. Happens at times during prolonged sitting / lying, especially when sleep deprived. Some may have exacerbated symptoms during anxiety.
You may find taking medication for RSL may help if the symptoms are severe. I tend to just walk around and it resolves (most the time not fully - have a small residual sensation.
I am inclined to agree what is being described above and my response is actually RLS.
RLS is not limited to just the legs, but arms, hands, feet, even the body. Not many doctors know this as it's very uncommon, but I have recently been getting the same disturbing/ uncomfortable urge/ pull like sensation on my body as well. Happens at times during prolonged sitting / lying, especially when sleep deprived. Some may have exacerbated symptoms during anxiety.
You may find taking medication for RSL may help if the symptoms are severe. I tend to just walk around and it resolves (most the time not fully - have a small residual sensation.
Oh my gosh, I feel as if you are one of the most relatable ones *only in one comment up top where you say ..."Sounds like a similar story to me..."* probably because of the fingers, as I have yet to find any other commenter with the fingers). I will also say I have this presence, and urge to apply pressure, or overall Stimulate these areas on the underside of my knee, in the space between the pointer finger and the two fingers that surround it, between my neck and shoulders, and even a bit on the sides of my stomach, kind of on my waist. I also feel like Energy is stored in the underside of the knee and in the neck. So basically, I have this need to Stimulate these areas, specifically in stretching. (I have ADHD and I used to have some tics.)
Hi,I also am dealing with this uncontrollable urge to stretch, and have since childhood. I plan on going to my doctor within this month to figure out what's been going on, in the past I was told it is probably muscle spasms, but when I search it up it never shares the symptoms I'm going through. I've always explained it like I wish I could be put in a torture machine to be pulled from both sides to feel some relief. When I get an answer I'll be sure to come back and let you and others know what I am diagnosed with.
I have the exact same problem, and it’s only really bad when I think about it but it’s the urge to stretch everything and even when I do the urge never goes away, I’ve told my parents but they don’t believe me so I cant go to the doctor, if you find out what you have please tell me what it is because I have a really bad case of it
Likley RLS, I have these symptoms myself since childhood. That uncomfortable/disturbing urge with the small residual sensation after performing the stretch is what I experience frequently. Many Doctors will say they don't know, because it is a very uncommon symptom.
RLS is not limited to just the legs, but arms, hands, feet, even the body. Not many doctors know this. (I have recently been getting this sensation on my body as well!) Happens at times during prolonged sitting / lying, especially when sleep deprived. Some may have exacerbated symptoms during anxiety.
You may find taking medication for RSL may help if the symptoms are severe. I tend to just walk around and it resolves (most the time not fully like yourself).
my 16 year old daughter has the same exact problem that is happening and it’s really bothering her. Did you happen to find out what it was? She is on adderall and has been on it for a long time. The doctor just changed meds to concerts. We don’t know if that’s it but we are trying this first?
Wondering if anyone has been able to get this diagnosed. I’ve had this feeling all over and haven’t been able to get it diagnosed. I’ve seen too neurologists. One neurologist felt it was Tourette’s however after giving me medication it didn’t change it at all. It’s definitely not RLS because I have it all over my body, arms, legs, stomach, neck, wrists. Desperately looking for relief. Mine is constant and always has been.
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