RLS

[Tilzz]

Hi everyone, I’ve been suffering for severe RSL for 5 years now, I have uncontrollable leg twitches, have been to the GP multiple times about it as it usually takes be 1-3 hours to get to sleep because of my leg feels like it’s getting electrocuted! I just don’t know what to do now, I’ve tried herbal remedies, massage therapy, cbd, iron tablets etc... where do I go from now ? I’m exhausted of this condition already and I’m only 19, help?

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear about this.

Hopefully you've had blood tests for serum iron, transferrin, ferritin and haemoglobin.

The key one of these is the ferritin level. If it's below 75 you may benefit from taking an oral iron supplement. The aim of this is to raise your ferritin to at ,least 100 at whkich point 50% of RLS sufferers get some relief.

If you've not been adfvised of this, it is quite difficult to raise ferritin by taking iron orally. This is because there is a limit to how much of it you can absorb at any time. You will absorb more of it if you only take it once every TWO days, NOT every day. It also needs to be taken 30mins before or 2 hours after eating and taken with a glass of orange or a vitamin C tablet.

If you don't follow this regime, it's not going to be effective.

Supplements of magnesium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D may help if you are deficient in any of these. Your doctor could test for them.

Hopefully you're aware that there are many aggravating factors that can make RLS.

This may include any medications you may be taking.

Avoiding alcohol, added sugar and caffeine can help as these can trigger symptoms.

Diet is also a factor in RLS. Different people are affected by different diets. If there's anything you eat which is causing sub-clinical inflammation (no symptoms!), this could be factor in your RLS.

I'm sorry to say as you're experiencing it so young you have inherited it and it's not gloing to go away.

There are medicines which can control it, but they all have side effects and you're very young to start taking such medicines so need to try and avoid that.

Here's some links to some very useful information

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/rest...

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

I hope this helps

[Joolsg]

So sorry to hear this. As Manerva advises , raising serum ferritin should be the first step.

Are you taking any anti depressants/anti anxiety/anti histamines or recreational drugs which affect the dopamine system like E, cocaine etc? All these meds can trigger RLS in susceptible people.

Cough & cold meds can also be culprits.

Many people find diet helps so keep a food diary & note any triggers.

Magnesium citrate pills seem to help a lot of people & using magnesium oil or deep heat menthol cream to massage legs can help.

[WideBody]

Hi TiLzz, I know the feeling and I am sorry you have to deal with this at such a young age. I told my GP it feel like my leg are plug into the socket.

I do hope your GP did all the blood tests. BTW, if you have been supplementing with iron before the blood test, let your GP know, it will mess with the results.

Supplementing with iron can take a long time. I found that liquid iron sulfate is very effective and inexpensive, about $10 a month. I use a plastic syringe and take 7ml, I take it with Vitamin C on an empty stomach, nothing to eat two hours before or one hour after. I have read that taking it at night is helpful because that is when the brain needs it the most.

Another issue I found is that low Vitamin D. I am been doing some large daily doses to get my level up and it seems to be helping.

The important thing is to test and work with your GP or discuss it hear. We have all tried different things and have different experiences. I will say, I been to a lot of other places on the internet for information. This site is the most reliable by far.

Please let us know how you get along.