Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: toffeecushion on November 08, 2015, 08:20:37 PM

Title: restless legs
Post by: toffeecushion on November 08, 2015, 08:20:37 PM
Please - someone tell me how to get rid of restless legs
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Taz2 on November 08, 2015, 08:27:13 PM
Such an irritating condition. Some info here http://www.rls-uk.org/

I find that if I lay on the floor with my legs up against the wall - feet flat - it can help. Recommended to me by my doc after I'd had the usual blood tests for potassium levels etc.

You need to rule out anaemia by the way - one of the common causes of rls.

Taz x
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: honeybun on November 08, 2015, 08:31:35 PM
Cut them off and chuck them out the window.....well that's how I feel when it strikes. I actually feel lucky as I only have them in the evening and not when I get into bed. I end up walking around as they are so painful and uncomfortable.
Some say bananas help because of the potassium but it's never done much for me.

Sorry I don't have any answers , just sympathy as its a dreadful thing.
If I'm really tired and have been on my feet all day then it's worse.

Honeybun
X
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Taz2 on November 08, 2015, 08:39:48 PM
I think that there is medication you can have if things are really bad. My dad used to get this and his legs would kick out when he was asleep - my mum was always trying to get him to go to the doc about it but, being rather stubborn and not awake himself when it happened, he never did.

Taz x
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: honeybun on November 08, 2015, 08:42:54 PM
During the night must be awful. Mine always calm down when I get into bed.....maybe because I'm more relaxed and cosy warm.
In the evening though....sometimes I can only sit for ten mins before I have to get up and wiggle them about.
Tired legs...possibly.

Honeybun
X
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: toffeecushion on November 08, 2015, 10:13:36 PM
Quote from: Taz2 link=topic=29751.msg475263#msg475263

You need to rule out anaemia by the way - one of the common causes of rls.

Taz x
[/quote

I didn't know that, I am anaemic.
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: toffeecushion on November 08, 2015, 10:14:42 PM
Cut them off and chuck them out the window.....well that's how I feel when it strikes.

Honeybun
X
exactly
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Chi chi on November 08, 2015, 10:25:02 PM
i get this too as well as my feet feeling really really hot, I've had to resort to taking a cold water bottle to bed
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Taz2 on November 08, 2015, 11:16:16 PM
Quote from: Taz2 link=topic=29751.msg475263#msg475263

You need to rule out anaemia by the way - one of the common causes of rls.

Taz x
[/quote

I didn't know that, I am anaemic.

Once your medication for the anaemia begins to work then you should find the RLS gets better too. Have you had a good look at the RLS link I posted? It might help.

Taz x
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Ju Ju on November 09, 2015, 12:00:45 PM
DH has restless legs, but has found using magnesium spray before bed has really helped......shame that it doesn't help the snoring!
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Jaki T on November 09, 2015, 02:21:46 PM
It's one of the main symptoms of Fibromyalgia...I did ask for Fibromyalgia to be mentioned in the conditions section, so hope it's listed there now
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Jaki T on November 09, 2015, 02:25:36 PM
No, just checked...neither Fibromyalgia or ME are mentioned  :(
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 09, 2015, 10:35:24 PM
Lack of potassium - eat more bananas!  I found the feeling went with 5 days of eating 2/3 small bananas daily which I did for 10 years.  Never had the sensation again.
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: elsie001 on November 10, 2015, 09:13:11 AM
Restless legs used to drive me mad at night but since having the Mirena Coil fitted at end September, they seem to have stopped. Hope I haven't tempted fate saying that but I wonder if mine could have been related to low iron levels.

I have heard that drinking Tonic water can help as it contains quinine.
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Taz2 on November 10, 2015, 05:13:47 PM
Spinach, kale and asparagus mentioned on the RLS site as they contain folic acid http://www.rls-uk.org/#!managing-rls/c1aik  Other things mentioned here too.

Taz x
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 17, 2015, 02:34:20 PM
Did U try bananas?
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Dorothy on November 17, 2015, 04:28:54 PM
It wasn't until I read a comment on this forum that I realised my RLS had been much better when I was eating a banana a day.  It came back again when I stopped eating them.  Last week I ate two bananas a day and now eating one a day and after the first couple of days I hardly had any trouble. 

The annoying thing is that I don't actually like bananas... ::)
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 17, 2015, 04:30:18 PM
I got fed up eating them daily  ::) after 10 years of not having RL problems at night.  I am aware of the 'pulling' in the day but it doesn't start until I get into bed.  If it is bothersome I take 2 Nurofen at night if I haven't eaten bananas.
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Dorothy on November 17, 2015, 04:31:39 PM
I have a recipe for chocolate banana cake...do you think that would work as well?  :)
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 17, 2015, 04:32:38 PM
 :lol:  >hands over plate< - maybe put the recipe onto the page here?  then make some and let us know how many pieces required  ;)
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Dorothy on November 17, 2015, 04:36:20 PM
I haven't tried the recipe yet - trying to do less baking to cut down on middle age spread!  Though as it would a scientific experiment in the treatment of RLS, I suppose I should force myself to try out the new 'treatment'.  Purely for the benefit of MM members of course  ;D
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 17, 2015, 04:40:30 PM
Of course …………. would it 'post' like wedding cake, i.e. in a small box  ;D
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Dandelion on November 17, 2015, 05:07:18 PM
I don't get restless legs, but I think that clonidine could help.
I took two of them yestersay and it made me really chilled out with no anxiety.
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 17, 2015, 07:04:44 PM
This condition has no connection to high blood pressure though  :-\ ……… and diet is known to ease RLS symptoms.  Best keep away from non-specified medication!
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Ju Ju on November 17, 2015, 07:20:40 PM
I thought I was woken up by mice in the attic last night. After a few minutes, I realised it was DHs legs scratching and bumping the sheets! I'm glad it wasn't mice, but things had been much better recently, since he has been using a magnesium spray. He said he woke very suddenly with a jerk. It's not a very pleasant condition. By the way he has always eaten bananas regularly.
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 17, 2015, 07:32:23 PM
In the 1990s I ate 3/4 small bananas daily to keep blood sugar levels even as advised by NAPS   â€¦â€¦.. it was by chance that I found they helped the symptoms.  After 5 nights I realised the symptoms had gone.  PHEW! 
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Joyce on November 19, 2015, 12:46:07 AM
My wee leggies are very restless tonight., hence being on here at this time.  So tired too.
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 19, 2015, 12:42:59 PM
Did you get sleep eventually?  Years ago I had to raise my legs at night which relieved the symptoms, until I turned over!
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Joyce on November 19, 2015, 12:56:07 PM
I did fall asleep eventually. Thanks for asking CLKD. Went for several walks around the house & exhaustion eventually took over.
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 19, 2015, 02:49:51 PM
It's awful.  At 1 point I had two thick double blankets folded under my side of the mattress as well as a pillow for my legs to lay on. OK until I rolled over  ::) ……… it helped a bit.  Otherwise I take Nurofen to sleep …….
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Joyce on November 19, 2015, 03:04:17 PM
I tried everything CLKD. It really is a pain in the proverbial!
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 19, 2015, 03:06:23 PM
Try a Nurofen-type pill about an hour before bed, take 2 as suggested then another 65-70 mins. later.  Should ease symptoms.
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Joyce on November 19, 2015, 03:12:44 PM
Doesn't help me unfortunately. I even had a bath last night to help relax, but nope!
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 19, 2015, 03:14:00 PM
A lack of magnesium or potassium can cause symptoms. 
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: Joyce on November 19, 2015, 03:23:56 PM
Bananas, right!  ;D Have started taking menopace which has various things which are supposed to help. Maybe too early to tell yet.
Title: Re: restless legs
Post by: CLKD on November 19, 2015, 03:51:47 PM
Let us know  ;)