Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Biker Chick on October 07, 2017, 09:11:13 PM
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Hi everyone. Just wondered if anyone suffers from restless legs. I've started getting this sensation in my legs usually at night. I get the urge to keep them moving. It's quite uncomfortable to be honest. Not sure if I'm overdoing my exercising because I've increased this to help with my depression or whether it is something totally unrelated x :-\
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Yep. We have several threads about that here. For me, bananas *cured* the symptoms. By chance I was eating 2-3 small ones daily and after 5 nights that awful sensation had gone. I continued for 5+ years until I got absolutely sick of them !
I also elevated my legs at night with 2 pillows as well as for a few years 2 double blankets - which did help until I rolled over in bed ::). For me it's lack of potassium others find a magnesium spray on the legs useful. If it wakes me I take 2 Nurofen
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It's so annoying isn't it? Have you had your blood tested recently as restless legs can be caused by anaemia so it may be worth getting that checked out. There is info on the RLS website https://www.rls-uk.org/ which might be helpful. There are two different types Primary which comes and goes and Secondary which may be brought on by anaemia or some medications.
I find that one thing that can help - if I'm at home(!) - is laying flat on the floor with my legs up against the wall. It's best if you can do this as soon as you feel the restless feeling begin.
Taz x :)
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Hello Biker Chick and welcome to the forum.
Your post has reminded me that I used to get this in the evenings. It was pretty mild to be honest but it hasn't happened for a long time ( touch wood ). I assume it was hormonal and that phase has passed!
Wishing you well.
K.
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I've had it all my Life, unrelated to exercise. I too have had relief by putting legs up the wall, I have tried to sleep with legs on the headboard but pins and needles forced me to change position. I am aware of the sensations all the while but it only happens in bed. When I sleep in the day it isn't a problem.
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Hi Biker Chick. My first question on here was about restless legs and CLKD was helpful. Bananas didn't work for me. Mine starts during the evening and I often have to get up and walk around for a bit and let my feet get cold as taking footwear and socks off if wearing does seems to help. I get it during the nights sometimes too which can keep me awake for quite a while. Again letting my feet and my legs cool down does seem to help. Unfortunately it is very random so I haven't been able to pinpoint any actual cause as it can be on good exercise days and bad ones too although I think less activity does make it a bit more likely to happen. Whatever the cause it is a very annoying problem to have and I do sympathise with you
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Do you take any medication for it JaneinPen?
Taz x
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mine is often worse if I exercise too close to bed time, some times I get restless arms too. Definitely worse when I'm tired
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I have slept with legs hanging over the edge of the bed in order to relieve symptoms. Sometimes it works, but feet/legs get cold of course.
Tnk JaneinPen ;-)
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I don't take any medicine Taz2. Like CLKD I do take a painkiller sometimes but to be honest nothing I have tried seems to help and I just wait it out. I have tried drinking more in case it is dehydration related but that doesn't seem to make a difference either
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It's interesting reading from the link I posted above the list of medications which can make it worse. I think the medications used to treat RLS can all have side effects but it's helpful to know that there is treatment out there should things get too bad. My dad used to get really bad pain with his restless legs as he got older but was never offered any treatment and, at the time, I didn't even think of trying to find out more for him.
Taz x
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Tnx for the Link - seems that 'they' list all the most commonly prescribed ADs ::) - I had restless leg syndrome years++ prior to depression. My medication, various types since 1988, have NEVER impacted on the symptoms. Neither does excercise/lack of ::).
I have never been asked by anyone whether my RLS has been affected, wonder where they get their information? Seems anit-AD to me!
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"I have never been asked by anyone whether my RLS has been affected, wonder where they get their information? Seems anit-AD to me"
Hi CLKD. I don't believe that it's anti ADs. I think its because anti depressants dampen dopamine and low dopamine is seen to be one of the causes of RLS from what I've read.
Taz x
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But have they actually asked sufferers :-\ or is there an assumption? I wonder how one can in the UK report effects of various medications, prescribed or otherwise - so that others benefit from up-2-date personal knowledge?
Is dopamine level testable ? (that's good English, not :-\ )
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Have you had a look at the RLS website? Probably on there somewhere :)
Taz
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Thank you everyone for your comments. I'll try increasing my banana intake. I already make sure I eat one a day because I have an ectopic heartbeat and eating bananas eases the symptoms. I'll try elevating my legs as well against the wall. Yes I agree that during the night putting my legs and feet out of the bed to cool down seems to help. I've recently had a medical MOT because my irregular heartbeat has been more noticeable and blood taken for various things and they all came back fine. I think it has been worse due to my depression. Thank you again for all your suggestions.I'm so glad I found this forum x
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Have a look at the list of drugs that may affect RLS in the Link that Taz posted.
I have it in mind to look at the web-site Taz but lack energy right now.
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Hello Biker Chick Happy Christmas
Strangely I was having this conversation last night. Try Better You magnesium oil, magnesium helps relax muscles. I've used it for years now and if I stop using it for any reason, the restless legs come back. Recommended it to about 10 people now and it has worked for every single one. The first time using it, use sparingly as it causes quite a sting (the more you need it the more it stings). I use it on back and front of calves after shower in the morning. Hope it works if you give it a try, for some reason, Drs do not seem to know about it!
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Hi knorman. I really suffer with RLS. do you buy the magnesium oil in somewhere like Holland & Barrett?
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Elevation can help, briefly. So can Neurofen - bananas etc. .........
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Hello and Happy New Year. Better You magnesium oil spray works for me and has worked for other people I have recommended it to. Start slowly with it as when you first use it, it feels like your legs are on fire. It's said that the more it stings, the magnesium deficient you are. I hope it works for you if you try it. Good luck.
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Thank you knorman. Happy New a Year. Have tried bananas but they really give me indigestion so prefer not to eat them. This looks like an option worth exploring further
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Hi everyone, haven't been on the site for a while. Hope you all had a nice Christmas.
Thanks Knorman for the tip about the magnesium oil, I will give it a go as I am still getting restless legs.
Take care. All the very best for 2018
xx :)
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:thankyou:
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Thanks sparkle
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Hello Herdwick, sorry not to reply earlier, yes H & B, or you can buy it cheaper on line. I usually wait until H & B have their deals on, but desperate the other day so bought it full price. Being menopausal is not cheap!
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Too true knorman. Thanks for tip