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Replies to "You state all lab tests were normal but you don’t specify what was done? Were magnesium..."
Brain & Nervous System | Last Active: 4 days ago | Replies (4)
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You state all lab tests were normal but you don’t specify what was done? Were magnesium levels done along with a CMP or complete metabolic panel, RA studies, etc? You’ve got a lot of people on this site with a ton of knowledge so the more info you provide the better we can assist you. Do you exercise and especially before bed? I had RLS and calf cramps nightly until I started to increase my home exercise program. I split it in half so I do my routine upon waking and before bed and I no longer have RLS or calf cramps except during very cold days and in snowy weather. You’re a big guy too so added pressure on your big joints is a given.
Replies to "You state all lab tests were normal but you don’t specify what was done? Were magnesium..."
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You bring up some really important points, @jenatsky. Magnesium can definitely help some people with RLS, so it's smart to check those levels. And exercise is huge for many of us, though I know it doesn't always work for everyone, especially if done too close to bedtime.
I'm fairly new here, but I've dealt with RLS for years and @denga's description really sounds a lot like RLS to me, even if Mirapex didn't seem to help him. Sometimes those dopamine agonists don't work for everyone, or they can even make things worse over time for some people.
One thing that was a big eye-opener for me was ferritin. 'Normal' iron levels on a standard blood test aren't always enough for RLS. Specialists often look for ferritin to be much higher, sometimes above 75 or 100, for RLS symptoms to improve. It's definitely worth talking to your doctor about your actual ferritin number, not just if it's in the 'normal' range.