Legs that wont stop

MelissaE27

I have noticed a lot lately that when I go to bed at night my legs wont stop moving... in facts feels like something crawing all over them... its so aggravating..interupts my sleep... I get up go sit in a chair and it still continues.... anyone else ever have this??

spartangirl79

I believe that's called Restless Leg Syndrome and I think there are medications for it.

nehushtan

RLS?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001810/

mikeyboy

I have a friend with restless leg syndrom. A lot of the same symtoms. I know she takes a med for it and it helps a lot. Good luck to you!

MelissaE27

I asked my doc about it and he says im exercising to much to cut down on cardio.. but I think theres more to it.. feels like spiders crawing allover me... eeeeekk... time for a new doc maybe

MFPBrandy

Sounds like restless leg syndrome -- there are meds, but there are also a lot of non-med fixes; might want to google & talk to your doc -- quality sleep is important!

Pimpmonkey

I believe that's called Restless Leg Syndrome and I think there are medications for it.

Another person just posted the same thing. Buy "Leg Cramps". They have quinine in them so it might irritate your stomach but I just take a ranitidine with it and I'm good. They're like 3 or 4 bucks for 40 capsules. It's a little tiny bottle that doesn't look like much but they are worth way more than their weight in gold I assure you!

MelissaE27

Thank you.. some great info

RLS?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001810/

lyttlewon

Check your magnesium. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9703590

MelissaE27

pimpmokey that you.. thats something I will check into

spartangirl79

I believe that's called Restless Leg Syndrome and I think there are medications for it.

Another person just posted the same thing. Buy "Leg Cramps". They have quinine in them so it might irritate your stomach but I just take a ranitidine with it and I'm good. They're like 3 or 4 bucks for 40 capsules. It's a little tiny bottle that doesn't look like much but they are worth way more than their weight in gold I assure you!

Are you in the US? Not 100% sure but I don't think quinine is legal in the US anymore. I used to get it from my pharmacist when I was a kid and got terrible leg cramps, but couldn't get it after about age 10 because he said it was no longer legal.

This may have changed though.

love22step

Here's a link that may help you with information on this problem. My mother and sister have the problem. It can be hereditary, but so far, I haven't had symptoms. My mother takes Requip and Neurontin, but they haven't eliminated the problem. She has to get up and walk a lot at night. At times, I've seen her sleeping, but wondered how she could sleep with her feet moving so fast.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/restless-legs-syndrome/DS00191

See your doctor. Good luck!

lyttlewon

I believe that's called Restless Leg Syndrome and I think there are medications for it.

Another person just posted the same thing. Buy "Leg Cramps". They have quinine in them so it might irritate your stomach but I just take a ranitidine with it and I'm good. They're like 3 or 4 bucks for 40 capsules. It's a little tiny bottle that doesn't look like much but they are worth way more than their weight in gold I assure you!

Are you in the US? Not 100% sure but I don't think quinine is legal in the US anymore. I used to get it from my pharmacist when I was a kid and got terrible leg cramps, but couldn't get it after about age 10 because he said it was no longer legal.

This may have changed though.

Quinine is in tonic water, which is legal.

lilylight

I get this occasionally, and I find that rubbing aloe vera gel on my legs really helps -- it has a cooling, soothing effect.

spartangirl79

I believe that's called Restless Leg Syndrome and I think there are medications for it.

Another person just posted the same thing. Buy "Leg Cramps". They have quinine in them so it might irritate your stomach but I just take a ranitidine with it and I'm good. They're like 3 or 4 bucks for 40 capsules. It's a little tiny bottle that doesn't look like much but they are worth way more than their weight in gold I assure you!

Are you in the US? Not 100% sure but I don't think quinine is legal in the US anymore. I used to get it from my pharmacist when I was a kid and got terrible leg cramps, but couldn't get it after about age 10 because he said it was no longer legal.

This may have changed though.

Quinine is in tonic water, which is legal.

Good to know. I used to take some massive quinine pills so I betcha the dosage was pretty substantial

Caged_Heat

As long as there is nothing medically wrong with you, I would suggest OTC remedies. I have had some relief taking Magnesium. My sister told me to take it (and I always do what my sister says). :-) I also take Melatonin pills (again, the sister). I usually take them an hour or so before I plan to go to sleep.

satxtrap

How soon after a workout do you go to bed? I find that if I do a number on my legs (especially quads) that I need to have at least 3-4 hours of time before I try to go to bed or my legs will complain.

Pimpmonkey

I believe that's called Restless Leg Syndrome and I think there are medications for it.

Another person just posted the same thing. Buy "Leg Cramps". They have quinine in them so it might irritate your stomach but I just take a ranitidine with it and I'm good. They're like 3 or 4 bucks for 40 capsules. It's a little tiny bottle that doesn't look like much but they are worth way more than their weight in gold I assure you!

Are you in the US? Not 100% sure but I don't think quinine is legal in the US anymore. I used to get it from my pharmacist when I was a kid and got terrible leg cramps, but couldn't get it after about age 10 because he said it was no longer legal.

This may have changed though.

I sure hope it's legal. It's listed on the bottle ans is sold OTC at walmart.

LadyGhostDuchess

Yeah it is RLS.
I get it in my arms though, my doctor said I was made backwards. I normally kill it with a hot bath. It helps to calm the muscles down and allow your body to relax. try it

suziecue66

"RLS is extremely real.” Fortunately, real remedies exist for it. Here are four to try:

Iron: This nutrient appears to play an important role in dopamine metabolism and, thus, nerve health. More than a fourth of RLS patients are deficient in ferritin (the form in which your body stores iron). Before taking iron supplements, get your ferritin levels checked. Standard blood tests dont measure it, however, so you have to ask for the specific test. Doctors recommend supplementation only if ferritin levels measure less than 50 ng/mL. For those with a deficiency, studies show that taking 200 to 300 mg of oral ferrous sulfate one to three times daily (depending on the degree of deficiency) can improve RLS symptoms if taken over several months. For optimal absorption, take the supplements on an empty stomach, an hour or two after your last meal. Intravenous iron therapy can alleviate symptoms faster and keep them at bay for up to six months. Since taking too much iron can cause you serious harm, make sure to have your iron levels monitored while supplementing.

Folic Acid: For 30 years, researchers have hypothesized that taking folic acid (a key component in nerve health) may alleviate restless legs, particularly when the condition runs in a family. “People who respond best to high doses of folic acid are people who have a family history of RLS,” says naturopathic doctor Dean Neary, chair of the physical medicine department at Bastyr University in Seattle. “Perhaps there is some deficiency that gets passed from gene to gene that causes malabsorption on the folic acid end.” Start at 5 mg daily, and if symptoms persist, you can work your way up to as much as 30 mg. Keep in mind that these dosages are very high (the RDA for folate is 300 to 600 micrograms), so work under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Magnesium: Restless legs can sometimes occur because of an underlying electrolyte imbalance, says Cuellar. For instance, patients who have an eating disorder or who undergo gastric-bypass surgery, both of which disrupt electrolyte levels, often develop RLS. If an electrolyte imbalance is the culprit, taking extra magnesium may help. This mineral promotes muscle and nerve health, and anyone with RLS can safely supplement with it to see if their condition improves. Try taking anywhere from 200 to 800 mg of elemental magnesium a day at bedtime (start with a low dose, and move higher if necessary.)

L-theanine: Studies have shown that this amino acid, found in green tea, promotes the brain wave activity associated with deep relaxation. It’s also a critical precursor to the relaxing neurotransmitter GABA (gamma amino butyric acid). Even though there’s little research specifically on the use of L-theanine for restless legs, Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, medical director of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, says it has proven itself as “one of the best natural remedies for sleep.” He recommends 200 mg of Sun Theanine one hour before bedtime."

http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/media/Documents/Sept09/remedies-for-restless-leg-synd healthy living.pdf

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/remedies-for-restless-leg-syndrome.html

ndblades

I get the same thing off and on. I used to get it only when pregnant, but in the last few years I get it if I start exercising regularily in the evenings, then if I skip a night -- or if I am overtired, it acts up too. I have gotten up at midnight and done 30 minutes on the ellyptical just to get my legs to settle down. I am not a fan of medications, so I try to stay active in the evening - without overdoing it. Stretching helps, as does ibuprofen. It really helps to keep a log of when it seems the worse.

Good luck - mine isn't so much spiders as it is my legs just get tense and want to move - - doesn't matter how tired you are, it keeps you awake!

jetabear10

I have RLS and take clonazepam for it. (not every night just as needed) My hubby says I 'ice skate' all night long in bed.

The main issue is the 'crawling' feeling you get in your legs (usually shin area) and you feel like you've just gotta move them. I used to say it was like I had spiders crawling in my shin bones...that sums it up.

I have been exercising regularly for 3-4 years now and it makes no difference to my RLS occurrences. If I am more tired when I go to bed or if I go to sleep and get waken up part way through the night, my RLS will act up.

The good news is that if your blood work comes back fine for iron, magnesium, etc. then there are drugs you can take that work.

suziecue66

I have RLS and take clonazepam for it. (not every night just as needed) My hubby says I 'ice skate' all night long in bed.

The main issue is the 'crawling' feeling you get in your legs (usually shin area) and you feel like you've just gotta move them. I used to say it was like I had spiders crawling in my shin bones...that sums it up.

I have been exercising regularly for 3-4 years now and it makes no difference to my RLS occurrences. If I am more tired when I go to bed or if I go to sleep and get waken up part way through the night, my RLS will act up.

The good news is that if your blood work comes back fine for iron, magnesium, etc. then there are drugs you can take that work.

L-theanine is a natural replacement for clonazepam.

mama2shi

Yup, RLS sucks...especially when I am in a car, I hate it. I have not taken any meds for it, kind of just deal with it. It is getting worse though so I may look into it soon.

jetabear10

I have RLS and take clonazepam for it. (not every night just as needed) My hubby says I 'ice skate' all night long in bed.

The main issue is the 'crawling' feeling you get in your legs (usually shin area) and you feel like you've just gotta move them. I used to say it was like I had spiders crawling in my shin bones...that sums it up.

I have been exercising regularly for 3-4 years now and it makes no difference to my RLS occurrences. If I am more tired when I go to bed or if I go to sleep and get waken up part way through the night, my RLS will act up.

The good news is that if your blood work comes back fine for iron, magnesium, etc. then there are drugs you can take that work.

L-theanine is a natural replacement for clonazepam.

THANK YOU....I would really love to save my kidney and liver!

Got a substitute for Dexedrine? (for narcolepsy)

Wonderwoman2677

from wikipedia:

Quinine is also used to treat lupus and arthritis. Quinine was also frequently prescribed in the U.S. as an "off-label" treatment for nocturnal leg cramps, but this has since been prohibited, in effect, by an FDA statement warning against the practice.[1]