Sleepless nights

[Auriga13]

Any advice to stop the constant leg twitching?

[Joolsg]

Can you tell us a bit more about you? How long have you had it, what meds are you taking, including OTC remedies?

[Almada]

Hello.

I can't talk much about medication experience, but I can tell you what I do on a daily basis to reduce discomfort.

One of my solutions is, before going to bed, wet my legs with cold water, in bed I use a fan blowing on my legs all night (or even falling asleep by turning on the fan timer).

I usually have to wet my legs several times all day, and eventually use the fan.

In case of despair I do squats, slowly and force my legs muscles to contract intensely, 10 to 15 minutes helps a lot.

I still have to try riding a bicycle, but at the beginning of my crises, about 4 years ago, it did worked.

(experiencelife.com/article/...)

I hope it work for you.

[mw65 in reply to Almada]

Like you I find that cold water gives me a lot of relief, the colder the better. Odd really when some sufferers get relief from heat!! The trouble is that after an hour in bed I need to cool them down again if I haven't managed to fall asleep.

Thank you so much for your tip about doing leg squats - I tried that last night and IT WORKS, and gives short term relief.

[Almada in reply to mw65]

Yes, cold, 18⁰C - this is Lisbon summer tap water, works for short time only, 1 or 2 hours. The rest of the night is assured by fan blowing.

I tried today hot water to relax muscle.

Squats looks more efficient.

[mw65 in reply to Almada]

We have a similar problem in summer in UK where the mains water temperature is high (not up to 18 C though). I have bought a dog cooling mat which I use in bed and it does help. Hot water has the opposite effect for me though.

[Orangehorses]

You don't say if you are taking meds for it. I'm on pramipexole which taken at the right time, works for me. Unfortunately what works for one doesn't always work for another. With myself, I notice it is often down to what I eat. I have to avoid certain foods. Why not see if it is down to your diet. I can not eat anything that contains vinegar late evening. The worst food item for me is tomatoes. Or anything that contains Tom's eg pasta sauce, ketchup etc. You could be different. Good luck

[Madlegs1 in reply to Orangehorses]

Some of those could contain msg- either declared or hidden.

[Orangehorses in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks for that info. I have been looking that up. I'm not sure if that's what is causing mine. It's so difficult to know. I know that anything acidic sets mine off. Oranges and tomatoes are the worst. They say oranges are good because of the vitamin c in them. But I definitely 100 % know they aggravate my rls.

[Graham3196]

I have sent a list of possible treatments to you by private message

Good Luck

[Newtwig]

Find a good neurologist. With a sleep study he/she will be able to determine your exact level of severity and prescribe medication. You’ll also need a ferritin level (indicates iron storage) test to see if you need iron supplementation.

Moderate exercise also helps.

[Madlegs1]

Hi Auriga!! Are you still with us?😍