Restless Legs!

[peony50]

Hi,

Cannot sleep for the third night in a row due to restless legs and spine. Any tips on best way to deal with rls?

I am not sure if it is to do with diabetes, fibromyalgia or if it is a stand alone condition.

Thanks.

 

[mazz33]

Hi, I just spotted this post in passing. I also have terrible restless legs, and you're right it does feel like it's going up the spine too.

I'm on pregabalin for pain and anxiety and I found that if I take a dose every day (I was given them to take when needed), it eliminates the restless legs at night entirely.
The other thing that works for me is cocodamol, but obviously I'd like to restrict how much of that I take. So I make sure I have one or the other, not both.

I'm not sure if restless legs is from the diabetes, but I started getting it when I was on prozac (yes I'm a walking pharmacy), and put it down to that. Except I still had it when I came off it. So it's possibly a diabetes side effect.
I get a lot of side effects from my metformin too, so it could possibly have something to do with that as well.

I get fed up trying to work out what's causing what, to be honest. I'm just going to try to lose as much weight as I can to see if that helps with any of it (the pain especially. I don't have a diagnosis of fibro but I have all the symptoms).

Good luck to you. x

 

[peony50]

Many thanks for your reply.

Sorry to hear that you are in pain, I hope that you feel less achey very soon.

I have never mentioned about restless leg to the doctor so I will on my next visit, to see if there is anything that can help.

Once again, thank you for your post.

 

[Catlady19]

I get it if I am really tired in the evenings / bed time.

Apparently Diabetes is one of the underlying health causes associated with RLS, also Anaemia. If it is giving you restless nights I would speak to the Doc.

Good sleep patterns and exercise can help, I believe.

Hope you feel better soon.

 

[peony50]

Thank you for your post. I will definitely bring it up with my doctor on my next visit as it is driving me potty. I am so thankful that I don't have to get up for work as I am not getting to sleep until about 6am.

I am wondering if I may be anaemic, so I will ask if my iron levels can be checked the same time my liver blood work is being carried out.

I do need to increase my exercise, although my fibromyalgia is so painful it can put me off, but I need to get out there for a daily walk.

 

[Robinredbreast]

Hi, RLS or Ekbom syndrome is an awful condition and common with diabetes too, females get it more, but there is help out there from your GP. Medication in tablet form can be prescribed if necessary, but GP should do a blood test first to see if the patient is low in Iron, as this could be the problem. I have RLS and I have had it for years, not just at night, but during the day too, it was so bad, I couldn't sit down at all, because my legs were jerking and had a horrible pulling sensation, but I had no pain. Some feel as though their legs maybe on fire or the feeling of ants running up and down. It is worse when the person is tired, especially going to bed and trying to sleep or with diabetes, a hypo. There are some home remedies on the internet, but none worked for me.

I hope you all can get some relief, but please make that appointment, even just to eliminate RLS. Good luck and all the best.

 

[Sonia_Sweet]

Hi, sorry to hear about the Restless Legs Syndrome, i had this for about 6months really bad, tried everything home remedies, herbal you name it, i tried it, awful time i went through, finally iron tablets helps do get checked out if your anaemic or not, also tried pregabalin found it didnt help although GP insisted that it would, but remember everyone is different, i personally found that REQUIP XL 4MG tablets finally put my RLS to an end and finally could sleep in peace, so i highly recommend that you request your GP to prescribe this, this tablet is more effective than Pregabalin and Gabapentine, good luck !

 

[ukbusybee]

Hi, I don't know if this will work for you but it's worth a try! I suffer from restless legs from time to time and one night i noticed i had a can of deep heat spray next to my bed. Well curiosity got the better of me and i tried it on my legs... and what a relief. I've no idea why it worked but it did... Maybe it relaxes the muscles or dilates your veins, but it seemed to work for me!

 

[peony50]

Thank you all for your replies, it is very kind of you all. I have only just woken up, but my thought process is still asleep so apologies for the brief thanks. Tiredness and fibromyalgia fog, what a mix, lol.

 

[ladybird64]

Just a suggestion but I have found Magnesium really helpful for this. I'm a bit of a sceptic about supplements and vits but have pain and nerve issues with my hips and legs following cancer treatment last year, and somebody suggested this might help, so I gave it a go. I also take Pregabalin morning and night but it didn't stop this particular issue. Anyway, it might be worth a shot.
The only thing is that you really need to get a decent quality brand, and make sure it's the chelated version, not Magnesium oxide. H&B do it, but it's only the 150mg tabs that are chelated, not the others, so this is the one to go for.

Wishing you well.

 

[Oldman1952]

Hi Peony, I have RLS for about 16 years as an a side effect of obstructive sleep apnoea. I was tried on an anti Parkinson medication which had even more side effects to men only (levodopa). I then started on a benzodiazepine (clonazepam) this worked well for about 11 years, then for some reason I got the RLS back and was put on (Ropinirole) This has made a great improvement and I am still on (clonazepam) as well. (clonazepam) is the first line Rx and then (Ropinirole). I would thrash out during the night and hit my wife who ended up with bruises on her arms and legs. I am not a wife beater, honest. Best regards Peter: Oldman1952

 

[Juicyjan53]

Hello. I too have restless legs but not as bad as some of you. I have a vague recollection that the thyroid may have a part to play in this although I may be wrong. Maybe worth asking about? I hope all goes well for you. Jan x