Restless Legs

[Hayley]

I made a thread about Restless Legs a while ago, but obviously it disappeared when the hackers got to us.

Anyway, I've had this problem for several years and currently take Paroven to help. My GP was recently going through my medications with me and when I told her how bad my legs have been (i.e. no restive sleep for weeks!) she mentioned that my iron levels may be low - which is a cause of RLS. I didn't think they would be because I eat healthily, spinach, liver, broccoli etc but she reminded me that I do have Endometriosis. I've had it so long that I've just learned to live with it but I do have seriously heavy periods lasting up to 10 days.

She gave me an appointment to have a blood test done but I was so desperate for sleep that I started taking Ferrous Sulphate right away. One week later and the twitching is down to just 2-3 times before I drop off to sleep, rather than every 30-60 seconds throughout the night. So, if any of you get Restless Legs, it's worth trying an iron supplement. I don't know if it's a complete cure but at least I feel as if I've slept now!

Hayley

[Guest]

If your iron was that low even taking the iron that soon wouldn't boost it enough to change the results quickly enough to give a false reading unless your GP is that slow in giving you a test. Sounds like she was right with the diagnosis though. I had the exact same problem earlier in the year and again a couple of months ago.

Az

[Hayley]

I had the blood test on the Wednesday after taking the iron since the previous Friday but it still came back with a low count so I may have been a bit anaemic - can't get to see GP till next Monday though.

Hayley

[Guest]

I got told that it was a magnesium deficiancy - Men should have ////mg a day & women ////mg - I was told by my doctor to take ///mg. I cut down to ////mg after a while & it's all cleared up. The healthfood shop warned me about calcium & magnesium. Something to the affect of too much calcium stops the absorption of magnesium.


/// moderator edit:- site rule - no dosage pm to author

[Sandy L]

Magnesium is often very helpful for night cramps. I have suggested that patients try it for restless legs, especially if they are averse to prescription medicines and prefer "natural" approaches. It is almost without side effects: if you take too much, it will act as a laxative and that will limit further absorption. It usually takes quite a bit more than the recommended amount to cause probems. You should take in in a divided dose--twice a day--both to minimize side effects and to get better absorption. Having said that, I have not been strongly impressed with its efficacy. It has helped some, but not a majority. A drug used for Parkinsons disease containing a mixture of levodopa and carbidopa, used at the lower strength and just at bedtime, often works very well. That, of course, is a prescription medicine while the magnesium is a nutrition supplement. The magnesium may be more important if you are taking calcium supplements. A 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium is usually recommended, but consult a nutritionist for specific recommendations.

[morgankingfisher]

My daughter suffers restless legs and sometimes gets night cramps, she doesn't, sleep to well and night because of it, will mention to GP when we see him again.
Thid must also be part of HMS i suppose, it is surprising how many other symptoms can go with it.

[Sandy L]

I don't think the restless legs is associated with HMS. I am not sure of that, but it is common in people without notable mobility. Unfortunately, having one namable or diagnosable condition rarely confers immunity to other common problems.

[Hayley]

Sandy, the medication I have been taking is used for Parkinson's Disease and it does help but I try not to take it every day - I'm on enough medication already! The iron tablets definitely help though.

Hayley

[skippy-jo]

hi yes i get feelings that i cannot keep my legs still, and i have to move them in bed, i also think i get trapped nerves as i go numb and tingerly, does anyone eles get the same, thanks jo

[skippy-jo]

this is a reply more to haley, me myself suffer from endometriosis, was told i wouldnt have children and to have a hysterectomy, but i have a son now 9, and i suffered very heavy periods for years, i tried every drug, jab and exercise in the world, then i had the mirina coil fitted, and never looked back, i use to be on the help line for the endo society, and alot of women found the same, as me i think it will work, no more pain, and very light periods if any... also i suffer ilrritable legs, and i use b6 supplement, and drink so gunniess helps with iron, i also use luke warm water to put my feet into if i get that bad, if you want to talk to me no problem, thanks jo

[Hayley]

Hi Jo

Thanks for your info on Endo - I'm waiting for an appointment now for my hysterectomy as I've suffered Endometriosis for several years but was only diagnosed in Feb 2004. I'm in pain every day and am also nauseous so I can't wait for the op now! I still take ferrous sulphate because the low iron levels exaggerate the Restless Leg Syndrome! I didn't opt for the Mirena coil as I've tried so many other things, I didn't think it was worth it after reading up on the side effects. I once had the Depo-Provera injection to stop my periods but ended up bleeding non-stop for 6 months!!

Hayley

[nonyanomemory]

hi sandyl,

I am afraid i am going to disagree with you in a nice way. I fundamentally feel that restless legs are associated with hms although I do believe that they are also common in the population as a whole generally for various reasons. My reason for thinking that they are common with hms are purely from a lay persons point of view and a hunch however. Because of the 'extra' stresses that the hypermobile put upon their muscles and joints in everyday life aside from acute injury which may happen as a result of very minor activity I sometimes think we are more vulnerable to just this type of thing - I know it is not life threatening or anything but if it is bad it can be pretty debilitating on top of everything else. I think it is the bodies way of saying its stressed in a way. I have a son with an inherited neurological condition and a daughter with hms nd both have restless legs as well as I as does their father - a veritable family of restless legs albeit for different reasons. I do feel though that the main thing that helps with restless legs is exercise in whatever form is suitable. i think my legs are restless because of pain during the day and this means that inbetween muscle spasms the legs are just telling me that its all a bit much - there is recent medical information that is ever moving forward on pain, and pain memories but for me restless legs is practically something I remember in the incubator as a 12 week prem baby and was commented on in my notes all those years ago. Despite all my 'baby' problems, failing lungs, club foot, infections etc I stil managed to wriggle and writhe along with the best of them.

nonya

[Sandy L]

I have no quarrel with anything you said, Nonya. I don't know what causes restles legs, and was passing on such information about remedies as I had. The iron deficiency connection is interesting; I will look for that next time I see someone with the condition.

Sandy L

[nonyanomemory]

an interesting link explaining the iron deficieny link in detail but not too much detail unlike my very rambly post above!webnd.com

[Hayley]

Hi Nonya

Thanks for the link, that was really interesting. I've had a few nights of RLS lately so I need to go back onto the ferrous sulphate (I only normally take it when I'm having a period).

Hayley