Restless legs

BananaRepublic

I've had restless legs for years whereby getting to sleep is hard because I can't lie still for more than 20 seconds without discomfort in my legs forcing me to move. Recently due to cramp in a calf muscle I started taking a hydration/salt tablet in the water I drink at the ice rink, to replace water and lost salts (not just NaCl) and the restless legs went. Recently I missed a day of salted water, and the restless legs came back, so the next night I had a glass of salted water, and no reoccurence. Not proof, but it does suggest that the hydration tablets are curing the restlessness. Apparently restless legs are a nerve issue, and lack of Sodium, Potassium and Magnesium can cause nerve issues. And yet many people say that too much salt causes their restless legs. Research has found mixed results, with various dietary additives having an effect for some people, but no convincing proof regarding salts. A locum told me that some regard magnesium as effective. Some studies suggest Potassium (Iodide?) works. It is all very confusing.

Anyone else have this problem?

JJ_Egan

Home Bargains and others 99p Pack of Rehydration salts .
Millions of Restless Leg posts on the web .

BananaRepublic

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Home Bargains and others 99p Pack of Rehydration salts .
Millions of Restless Leg posts on the web .

You can say the same thing about almost all threads in this forum, so I’m not sure what the point of the comment was.

Annie35

Well I just had to comment as your name is the cure!! well what I found works. Obviously can't have a nana a day, so the salts thought is interesting.

I've never felt better then the year I drank 2.5ltrs water a day, literally refreshed, I'm not sure 4 cups of tea is an adequate replacement nowadays

Fire_Fox

I have had Restless Legs Syndrome on and off for decades, much worse in my right side than my left side. I worked in and studied human healthcare for just as many decades, which has helped me understand RLS somewhat.

Everything that happens in the body is the result of a long series or cascade of tiny chemical reactions and/ or electrical impulses, including everyday repairing or rebuilding nerves and muscles, and nerves telling muscles what to do or not to do.

Exactly which step(s) in the series or cascade goes a little 'wrong' in RLS and exactly why is probably unique to each individual. But the overall outcome is similar: creeping/ crawling/ niggly/ uncomfortable feeling, uncontrollable urge to shake/ twitch/ shift position.

A balance of various minerals/ electrolytes/ salts are needed in the body for nerves and muscles to work 'normally'. Calcium balances magnesium, sodium balances potassium and so on. Although magnesium is very important in healthy nerves (inc. the brain) as your doctor says, magnesium is also important in muscle relaxation after contracting, in building strong bones and other stuff.

Very few people's diets are properly balanced and varied. Furthermore when we are very active, sweat or get dehydrated we lose or 'use up' more of these minerals/ electrolytes/ salts. Overconsuming table salt (NaCl) can dehydrate us, which potentially causes us to also lose other minerals/ electrolytes/ salts. So I can see why a high intake might worsen RLS for some individuals.

Triggers for me include certain prescription medications, getting overly tired physically, sitting with my legs crunched up too much, and any time my electrolyte/ body salts balance is off for a few days. The latter can be down to excessive sweating, drinking alcohol too often, or my diet being imbalanced (electrolytes).

Successful self treatments for me include eating more mineral-rich foods (ground flaxseeds, pumpkin or chia seeds, cocoa powder/ low sugar dark chocolate) or taking a magnesium citrate supplement (the ones I have now are MAHOOSIVE so I hate taking them).

But my back-up plan is getting up in the night to do a technique called SMR, which can relieve the RLS enough for me to get to sleep.

SMR is using using a foam roller or a tennis ball to apply pressure to 'knots' deep in the buttock muscle or outer thigh. The theory is that these 'knots' are pressing on a segment of a large nerve that serves the leg (sciatic). SMR only works somewhat because it is awkward to get into the right position to press on the relevant spots.

Hopefully my ramblings help rather than confuse you more! Your on-off-on-off testing of your hydration salt solution is very similar to methods used in scientific research and diagnosis of some health conditions. Consistent results over time it will be proof enough for you and likely your doctor too.

Fire_Fox

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Millions of Restless Leg posts on the web .

So what? It's refreshing - if you pardon the pun - to read a post by someone with RLS who is from the UK/ has access to the NHS and whose observations are logical and factual.

Discussing certain health issues on forums populated by US citizens can be pointless and frustrating: it is just too common to self diagnose, consult 'alternative' practitioners and take or recommend random supplements.

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Home Bargains and others 99p Pack of Rehydration salts ..

Is this intended as your blanket recommendation to all with RLS?

Elinore

I agree with Fire Fox - each is persons RLS different.

My nasty persistent RLS was never resolved with the taking of magnesium or other minerals, salts or rehydration drinks.

Recently it took a diet overhaul (more fruit and veg - at least 5 veg per day and 3 fruit) and a vit on top. though I do need to drink a lot more water than I do.

90 min of hot yoga x 4 per week

Good quality CBD oil before bed - If I feel even a slight itch or tickle in my knees, which is now once or twice a month.

Over one year normal full nights with sleep without any symptoms (whoop whoop) though it's a precarious balance keeping the beast at bay as if I stop doing just one of these it comes back immediately.

Though I hesitate to fully celebrate as I thought I cracked it previously and it came back

Scrimps

This may be nonsense, I haven't researched it enough to be convinced either way...I have read that magnesium bath salts are a more effective way to get magnesium into the body and magnesium is key for many with restless legs.

I only seemed to get restless legs when pregnant, I also suffer from insomnia very badly when pregnant. The insomnia comes before the restless legs though, the my diet gets very bad with easy reach carbs and sugar to get through the day.

yellowbear

I only get it in my right leg and oddly it's worse if my husband is home! He does shift work and on the nights he works I can drop off easily and I'm not too bothered. When he's home it's awful.

I have found if I read til I fall asleep it's much better. I wonder if concentrating on something else helps?

Once I'm asleep though, it doesn't wake me, thankfully.

I started taking magnesium and it helped but only if I took it every day. Miss one tablet and it flares up again.

jfdi

My friends mum swears by half a dozen unwrapped bars of soap at the bottom of her bed, under the sheet!

I have absolutely no idea how that works, but she says it does!

BucksLady

My mother suffered from this when she was very anaemic (although she didn't know it at the time). An elderly neighbour suggested she took a little soda water (with quinine) just before going to bed. The remedy worked - for her at least.