Restless Legs

Gigervamp

They have found that some of the drugs prescribed for Parkinsons Disease help restless legs. I remember reading a few years ago, that there was some research being carried out in one of the London hospitals.

There's some information on the NHS site here.

Bettie

I used to have this when I was very underweight and had a very poor diet. Since those days I have become of average weight and I eat ok- ish and take multi vitamins and iron when I feel I am not eating well and I've not had it return for a few years so I believe mine was diet related.

SimonH068

I have had RLS whilst in bed unable to walk following spinal operations........I'm convinced that it is a symptom of muscle waste.....get up and about and walk, walk, walk. It may also be a side effect of pain killers too, though i'm not qualified on that score. All I know is that since my last bout of extreme sciatica last year (ie unable to walk), I have walked 4 miles daily (at least) and worked out in the gym nearly every day and the RLS has stayed away. I also lost a stone too!
Best of luck to you.

Tiddlywinks

Eventually saw a neurologist about this - found I had low (but still just in normal range) on iron and B12 readings. She recommended iron, B12, quinine (on prescription) and magnesium supplements plus offered a prescription for a drug normally used in Parkinsons (but when I heard the possible side effects I declined this bit).

I take iron (slow release), magnesium and B12 now absolutely regularly and swear by it - my doctor said that it can take up to 3 months for these supplements to start to make a difference and I did find this to be the case.

I have given up the quinine and not noticed the difference but if I miss the magnesium for more than a couple of days then I notice a bit of twitching start again.

murphydog999

Mine stopped after i cut out white wine, the same with a client of mine, it was her favourite tipple and she was a big sufferer.

I would suggest you get a dietary analysis done to see if you have any deficiencies that could be causing it. It's pointless (and not very MSE) taking/guessing with supplements until you know for sure there is a problem with your dietary intake. Even then the guidance should be towards food and not synthetic substances.

jetta_wales

I get this in bed very often and was worse during pregnancy but when pregnant it's often suggested that you sleep with a pillow between your legs to take pressure of your knees as your hips have widened and this makes it more comfortable.

I found though that this also completely sorted the restless legs syndrome and hAve sleep with a thin pillow between my legs ever since.

However my tiny little dog who sleeps in bed too (she's a very small Papillon) has decided that this pillow is clearly there just for her as we both have pillows so of course she should have one too. Thus I often end up sharing it with her and pulling a corner to put between my knees and she sleeps on the rest of it beside me lol.

Try a thin pillow between your legs if it's not something you've tried before. Simple idea, costs nothing and might just make a huge difference.

mummyplus3

I tuck the quilt between my legs to help but it doesnt anymore, It is a side effect of the meds im on which is a complete pain as the stronger the dose I need the worse the legs get. I'm stuck on these meds for now as there's nothing else they can give although I should get more iron in my diet I have a crappy diet to be quite honest so will have a proper look into it and start eating better and getting more iron Nice in a horrible way to know i'm not alone with it!

Mupette

lin473 wrote: »

OH has this - he reckon it's much better since the Dr added Gabapentin to his drug regime - may be just coincidence of course.

I'm on Gabapentin, doesn't do much for my restless legs glad it helps your OH tho

Aubergine_2

I also suffered when I was pregnant and it was linked to low iron. It went away when I took supplements.

skypie123_2

Its lack of magnesium isn't it? I get RLS too and it makes me miserable! The rest of me just wants to sleep but my feet could run a marathon!