Hi all, newbie here. Diagnosed last year with RLS. Cramps are the biggest problem, I can cope with the bubbling feeling, I can even see the twitching under my skin, is that normal?
Anyway, it’s the feet I want to ask about. The cramp in my feet is unreal. Specifically the arch at the top of my foie going up towards my shin, and also in my toes. I also cannot wear heels as it seems exacerbate RLS. I’ve had shies inserts made in the hope that would solve the problem, but no.
My RLS seemed to go away from about November to March, I have no idea why.
I rub magnesium butter into my feet every night but I don’t think it makes any difference personally.
But the feet. What is it with the feet?!?
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DollyParten
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Hiya - I would definitely look into Magnesium for some of the things you describe above - twitching muscles / cramps. Have a look at Dr Dean's The Magnesium Miracle. One big giveaway is that you say it's not as bad in the winter months - this could be because you are not sweating out vital minerals so much. My friend even starting having seizures from a lack of magnesium in the summer! I take Natural Calm (I mix it with a small amount of hot water, then add normal water or juice) but others on here have various other suggestions.
Worth trying that (and doesn't hurt to supplement other minerals too) and then see where you are :-). Good luck!
My first thought with summer RLS is whether it’s temperature related ; I know I have to try and keep my legs cool,; standing on a cold floor sometimes helps, or dowsing my legs with cold water.
When you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements 48 hours before the test and fast after midnight. Have your test in the morning as that is when your ferritin is lowest. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation numbers. You want your ferritin to be over 100. Improving it to that helps 60% of RLS patients and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If your ferritin is less than 75 then take 325 mg of ferrous sulfate with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption. Take it every other day at least 1 hour before a meal or coffee and at least 2 hours after a meal or coffee since iron is absorbed better on an empty stomach and preferably at night If you have problems with constipation switch to iron bisglycinate. If your ferritin is between 75 and 100 or if your transferrin saturation is below 20, you probably need an iron infusion since iron isn't absorbed as well above 75. If you take magnesium take it at least 2 hours apart since it interferes with the absorption of iron. It takes several months for the iron tablets or iron infusion to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 8 weeks if you have an iron infusion or after 3 months if you are taking iron tablets. Above all don't let your doctor prescribe a dopamine agonist like ropinirole (requip) or pramipexole (mirapex). They used to be the first line treatment for RLS, but no longer are because of the danger of augmentation. Instead have him prescribe gabapentin. Beginning dose is usually 300 mg gabapentin or 100 mg if you are over the age of 65. It will take 3 weeks to be fully effective. After that increase it by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1-2 hours before bedtime. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. Most of the side effects of gabapentin will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily." If you take magnesium don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of the gabapentin. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know including about its treatment and refer your doctor to it if needed as many doctors do not know much about RLS or are not uptodate on it at
I too have extremely painful feet, particularly on my left instep, usually worse on getting out of bed, to the extent I have to walk on the side of my feet for a few minutes before I can put them flat on the ground ( not great when I’m in and out of bed all night due to RLS🙄). A podiatrist has told me it’s caused by my bad back , not RLS, and I too have orthotics for my shoes, to help my back though, not feet. Rubbing them helps a bit sometimes , but is very painful to do - the sensation is as if I’ve huge bruises on the tops of my feet.
I don’t know why you only have RLS in the winter, but be grateful for small mercies - annoyingly, I have it all year round!
You might have the early stages of peripheral neuropathy. Mine started with an occasional feeling of bunched up socks. Now the numbness is all day and I believe RLS shows up only when I am very tired. I believe RLS can't cause Neuropathy (degradation of the nerve sheath or axiom). RLS seems to originate in the brain from a chemical issue. Something to consider.
I don't get the foot or leg cramps but my RLS is in my feet. Some in the sole area and the most in my toes. I take requip and Magnesium. I get it every night.
Have you thought about switching to gabapentin? Up to 70% of people will eventually suffer augmentation on requip according to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which believe me you don't want because it can be hell to come off it and the longer you are on it, the harder it will be to come off it. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which discusses augmentation and the latest guidelines on RLS treatment.
Of course we all no magnesium helps with cramps but there are also potassium deficiency cramps as well. Too little potassium, calcium or magnesium in your diet can contribute to leg cramps. Diuretics — medications often prescribed for high blood pressure — also can deplete these minerals. Maybe try taking some potassium citrate and see if that helps.
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