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Health

Restless Legs

(11 Posts)
mrsmopp Mon 12-May-14 14:39:59

Driving me mad! Sitting in the theatre, cinema, in a car my legs feel twitchy and I want to get up and stamp around. I get it in bed too. I can't stop fidgeting. Very strange.
Does anyone know how to manage this condition?

HollyDaze Mon 12-May-14 15:03:34

It certainly can drive you mad mrsmopp. I had RLS and it turned out that it was due to anaemia; have you had a blood test recently? For me, a course of iron supplements cures it (my body doesn't store iron very well so when I start jiggling the old legs, it's often a sign it's back again).

Sorry but that's the only thing I know about it.

sunseeker Mon 12-May-14 15:33:01

I too suffer with RLS at night - I have found taking a paracetamol when it gets bad seems to help (I don't get it every night) - not sure why it works but it seems to for me.

TriciaF Mon 12-May-14 16:53:11

me too, and sometimes in the evening when watching tv.
At night, when desperate, I kick the covers back and do this exercise, 3 lots of 20 times:
1) lie on back, legs stretched out
2) knees to chest
3) raise legs vertical, point toes
4) lower legs straight, slowly.
This seems to change something in my lower back, and eases the problem.
But we're all different - good luck!

Bez Mon 12-May-14 17:30:02

I found drinking a lot less coffee seemed to help me. Good luck with it - it is awful while you have it.

rosequartz Mon 12-May-14 17:36:15

I have heard that vitamin B12 and also magnesium may help.
Magnesium is a muscle relaxant and helps with night cramps.
Vitamin B12 is also associated with iron deficiency and anaemia.

Faye Mon 12-May-14 18:42:37

Magnesium worked for me, rosequartz I first noticed the awful restlessness when pregnant with my first child forty years ago. All those years of wanting to get up and move around.

Mrsmopp sitting still in the theatre or cinema was torture for me too. I would just want to spring up out of my seat. It is a lot better now, though I still sit at the end of the row just in case.

rosequartz Mon 12-May-14 19:36:15

I know it's not the same thing, but I have been recommended quinine for cramp (in tonic water or tablets on prescription).

Elenkalubleton Sun 08-Jun-14 10:38:32

I also suffer from restless legs,but since dieting have stopped drinking wine in the evening,it's stopped.also walking more and going on the cross trainer for five mins a day.i think it's to do with circulation?Hope this helps.

PRINTMISS Sun 08-Jun-14 16:47:17

I find that if it is really bad at night in bed, then a soft pillow or cushion underneath the knees helps. I too, think it something to do with circulation, and if I am sitting at home, find rubbing my ankles makes things a little easier.
Sympathies with it, though, it is one of those nuisance things that no-one seems to understand.

marigold1 Sun 08-Jun-14 21:26:43

I too suffer from RLS, and have done for years, tried everything known to man, walking around the house in the "wee small hours" was a regular pastime,4 years ago in desperation I saw my G.P. who suggested Mirapexin, I started with one tablet 3 hours before bed, I now take 3 tabs daily, in measured dosages and it is WONDERFUL, I still have the occasional "bad " night, but they are few, I suggest you have a word with your G.P. Good luck, I really hope he/she can help to alleviate this horrible condition.