How can i stop my legs being so restless during the night.?

Question

Find i am moving them more and more and to such an effect that getting off the sleep if a nightmare. Is it just habit or is there an underlining cause?

Answer 1

but a pillow between your legs. im serious.

Answer 2

If you find a "cure," let me know. As others before me have said, you (and I) have RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). If your primary-care physician hasn't kept up on his/her reading for the past 20 years, he/she may not have heard of it. It's real and well documented.

However, nobody knows what causes it. I've had it my entire adult life, but I stopped using any type of caffeine 20 years ago; I don't eat spicy foods, and I once quit alcohol for 5 years. None of the above worked.

A medical doctor (Robin Smith) who writes a syndicated column for several hundred daily newspapers endorses putting a bar of soap under the fitted sheet of the bed, around mid-calf level. He doesn't know why that works for some people, but apparently it does.

Personally, I prefer to have more science behind the "cures" that I try. But, it's hard to argue with success. However, this method does not work for all people, and -- according to reports -- certain brands of soap don't work. [This is NOT a joke!]

Finally, a drug (Mirapex) that has been used for a few years for Parkinson's Disease has been shown to help some people, taken in tiny quantities -- usually 0.25 mg, once a day.

I tried that, and it worked for a couple of days. But, the leg problem started again. My physician then doubled the dosage to 0.5 mg/day. Again, it worked for two or three nights only.

Mirapex has been released under a number of patented brand names within the last two years. Again, it works for some people, not for others.

Recent research indicates that the condition may be genetic. I know that my father suffered from the same discomfort, but I don't think that it affected him until later in life.

A hot bath just before bedtime may help the area around the fourth and fifth vertebrae (in the back) relax. I believe (but have no proof) that the problem originates there.

Good luck; I know the frustration of the sleepless nights that you've experienced.


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While I was writing this, somebody else wrote that you should try Vitamin E. I don't know if that works, but you need to be aware that recent studies have shown that taking 400 international units/day may increase the chance of heart attack.

Somebody else suggested that the problem is in your mind. It's not.

If you have a printer, it might be a good idea to copy these responses and take the document with you the next time you see your physician. He or she can then go through the alternatives suggested and let you know which ones are useless.

Answer 3

Restless leg syndrome is something that is not uncommon. Vitamin E has been shown to help with that.
So too has wearing Dr. Scholl exercise sandals. The idea is your feet and legs get a workout and are tired by the end of the day.

Answer 4

Many factors can cause this restless leg. Are you on any medications? Many cause restless leg. Also, how much caffeine and other stimulants do you take in during the day? And how late in the day do you drink coffee, tea, Coke, etc. It's usually something you are ingesting that is the problem.

Answer 5

I had this and it finally went away by itself, but only after years. I would have to get out of bed and walk as it was a horrible feeling. Warm milk and Vitamin E help me, but not as much as I would have liked.
Now there are medications for this disease. You do need to see a doctor because the disease can cause death.

Answer 6

You have restless leg syndrome.
There are some new medications you should ask your doctor about. If it causes you to lose sleep or not get good sleep, you should really get treatment.

Answer 7

Hi, its called restless leg syndrome. Try not to drink any caffeine before bed or smoke, leave alcohol alone and no spicy food.
A lettuce sandwich is said to calm you before sleep and may help you to sleep better, but failing that, chop your legs off. As long as it doesn't transfer to your arms, you're sorted!!!

Answer 8

Try drinking a glass of tonic water before bed, the quinine helps to relax leg muscles and stops cramps, my partner suffers with this because he is diabetic, get yourself checked out with your G.P.

Answer 9

There are meds for restless leg syndrome but they have other side-effects which are not so cool. Please check my website for the cure with no side effects : "www.gesundheit.usana.com", call or reply as you will not find these products except through exclusive distributors. :)

Answer 10

my husband's daughter suffers that syndrome since she got pregnant. I gave her once "calms 4te" and she loved it. Is homeopathic (does not need prescription, does not cause dependency) and you can find it even for kids, (her kids are really hyper kinetic, and it helps a lot!) you can find it at Albvertson's or Wal Mart. Ciao.

Answer 11

Drink Quinine water before you go to bed.It will stop it.They sell it at the grocery store.It tastes like club soda.Good Luck!