Is Restless Leg limited to the legs?

Question

Since I can remember, I've been experiencing a strange sensation in my muscles that's sometimes prevented me from sleeping. Most of my problems seem to match up with Restless Leg syndrome, except for the fact that the sensations occurs anywhere, and not just in the evenings.

I'd describe the sensation as the sort of sensation you get when you really need to sneeze but you just can't get it out.

I guess another thing that makes me skeptical is that I've never felt compelled to get up and move in order to relieve my symptoms. I usually just tense and stretch my muscles while I'm still in bed, or wherever I'm sitting or standing. (it doesn't happen too often when I'm active)

In a couple instances when I was feeling very stressed, I've even resorted to just plain pounding on them till the aching overrides it.

Anyway! I', just curious, does anybody else have some insight on restless leg, or relate to any of this? All the information I find seems to be the same.

Thanks much!

Answer 1

I thought I read somewhere once that restless legs can be linked to low iron... yes, here is a link to that http://www.rls.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=261&srcid=200#8

here is a couple more links for you
http://www.rls.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=178&srcid=-2
http://www.rls.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=261&srcid=200

Answer 2

I don't think Restless Leg Syndrome exists as a clinical condition for most people, except as a label invented by the drug companies to sell more medicine.

There are circulation problems that probably are the result of being in bed and not moving or stretching much. I get this but have been dealing with it well ever since I read some tips from a Harvard Medical School newsletter on the web, directed to older people who experience leg pain.

There were about a half dozen things that you could try (short of getting a thorough medical examination to find out if there was some other condition that was really wrong).

First, most people acquire the habit of making their beds (or sleeping in a bed) that has the kind of neat, tight, blanket corners that people used to learn in making up their bunks in the army or a similar organization where neatness and standardization is an article of faith. TIP: let the ends of the sheets and blankets hang loosely over the end of the bed. Occasionally this might lead to your feet being uncovered and you have to get them back under the blankets. But what you avoid is having the feet pressed down for 6-9 hours. Lots of pain occurs from the unnatural position you're feet are in if blanket ends are far to tight for you to be comfortble as you age.

Secondly, learn the basic exercise stretching exeercise (one foot bent facing a wall and the other stretched being you but flat on the floor, while you stretch the legs). Do 5 or 6 stretches like this with each leg before you get into bed. That is, do the kind of warmup exercise you should do before you do any exercise walking.

Thirdly, most of the time the first and second steps will cut down on pain sufficiently so that it doesn't bother you while you sleep. But if you have pain, get up, turn on the light, repeat the warmup exercise and walk for a few inutes up and down the bedrooom.

I've had to do the third step once every one or two weeks or less. Using this approach has banished what the TV ads call restless leg syndrome. I also try to keep a bit active every da and do healthy eating so my circulation isn't too bad at 70, even though I have a number of serious chronic conditiions that led me into a healthier lifestyle (after the fact of being young and foolish until it caught up with me at 60) for most of my life.

Answer 3

According to some information that i found when i was researching the syndrome for myself, the web site said that "These sensations (of having to move) usually occur deep inside the leg, between the knee and ankle; more rarely, they occur in the feet, thighs, arms, and hands. Although the sensations can occur on just one side of the body, they most often affect both sides." I just get it in my legs, so i don't know what the rest feels like. But i don't feel a need to get up and move about either, i just move my legs or jiggle them to help the tension. Hopes this helps.

Answer 4

It can also be in your arms. It is just any sort of restlessness or pain for no real reason. You don't have to feel compelled to move to really have it. For me it frequently is just pains in my leg. I had sleep study done and the neurologist told me I had it because I kick and move a lot in my sleep. I take sinemet for it. There are lots of new meds. Requip made the sensation worse for me. Talk to your doctor if you think you have it and see what they say.

Answer 5

I've had this for years and it's torture. A lot of my family members have it too. It not only affects your legs, but for me and my sisters, it affects the stomach and arms. We cannot relax or sleep when it hits us. I definitely have to keep moving my feet or legs. I have been in meetings at work when I felt like i"d go nuts if I couldn't get up and walk around. I could be sitting at my desk and had to keep moving my legs. It's horrible. I wish there was a cure for it.

Answer 6

My grandma has it. It happens in her arms and legs.
I have it a bit, but it only happens in my legs and I get the urge to kick and toss around on the bed.

Answer 7

For me, restless leg only occurs in my legs (typically just my right leg).

Answer 8

try taking magnesium it helps with muscle spasms which is causing it my grandma takes them every day and hers are now good she doesn t get cramps at night anymore either