Is this RLS (restless leg syndrome)?

Posted by Darlia @darlia, Oct 14, 2017

I have been a member of Mayo Connect in other groups too. I am trying to find out if the symptoms I have in my muscles is connected to anything I already have been diagnosed with.
Also, would it be a Rheumatologist or Orthopedic Dr. That I need for this? I asked the Rheumo and they said it's nothing that they handle. But I would think they would because it feels like muscles.
At night while relaxing, my legs get restless, want to tense up, like on rubber bands. Then my right arm, just my forearm starts to feel the same. Then it makes me put my hand into a "claw" as it intensifies.
Any clues anyone?
@darlia

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

@cantek

Actually I had a sleep MD tell me it was due to a low ferritin level. Started taking iron ( don’t forget the prunes!) and… it’s gone!😝

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It's a great thing to find a cure for what ails you. But as our mentor above says, it's important to check with your doctor before taking iron, for a number of reasons. Fortunately for me, I don't have RLS, but thought I'd volunteer what I had read if it could be helpful to someone else. Ya never know!🤷‍♀️

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@gg2

I have tried the soap but it didn't work for me. I have also tried Ropinerole in various Mg. It worked for a short time and then stopped working. Have had this since I was 18 and I am 73 now. It is getting worse and I can't sleep. The doctor prescribed Klonopin again and sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't. Does anyone have anything that you have tried that actually works?

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I use Lyrica. Since the first day I used it I have never had another issue with restless legs.

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@gg2

I have tried the soap but it didn't work for me. I have also tried Ropinerole in various Mg. It worked for a short time and then stopped working. Have had this since I was 18 and I am 73 now. It is getting worse and I can't sleep. The doctor prescribed Klonopin again and sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't. Does anyone have anything that you have tried that actually works?

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Klonopin should only be taken temporarily.

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@willows

I use Lyrica. Since the first day I used it I have never had another issue with restless legs.

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Gabapentin at night before bed is helpful to me.

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@aspine

I just recently read that magnesium is good for restless leg syndrome. Worth a try, but ask your doctor first.

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hi all, my husband has restless legs, his 68 and had it since, 20"s, hes so fidgety ! magnesium helps at night , and he believes in alot of exercise, helps him sleep. he takes the medicine too, but it is a medicine for parkinsons, his mother had it, and hsi 2 sisters, also, he's even looked into gummie bears for calming down !!! its a terrible disease !!

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@gg2

I have tried the soap but it didn't work for me. I have also tried Ropinerole in various Mg. It worked for a short time and then stopped working. Have had this since I was 18 and I am 73 now. It is getting worse and I can't sleep. The doctor prescribed Klonopin again and sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't. Does anyone have anything that you have tried that actually works?

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Lyrica or pregablin works for me. I take it for a neurological condition so it was a surprise to me that once I started on pregabalin I never had another issue with RLS.

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@gg2

I have tried the soap but it didn't work for me. I have also tried Ropinerole in various Mg. It worked for a short time and then stopped working. Have had this since I was 18 and I am 73 now. It is getting worse and I can't sleep. The doctor prescribed Klonopin again and sometimes it helps and sometimes it doesn't. Does anyone have anything that you have tried that actually works?

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Whatever you do do not take Requip! I took it for 17 years and then 2 years ago Boom! I had a gambling addiction! Not funny! It was discovered by Mayo Clinic. Unfortunately I was too late to get in on the class action law suit against the manufacturer. Now there is a warning on it that it causes hyper sexuality, addictive gambling, etc. I am tapering off it onto Lyrica and hope I done acquire another set of dose-effects. Beware!

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I have had restless legs for so many years and I have found that 2000 mg of Vit D3 has kept it under control. However lately, the RLS sees to have graduated to Periodic Involuntary Limb Movement which is pretty minimal at this point but I think it will be one of those things that increases as I age. I am 78 now and do not look forward to dealing with this in my 80's. BTW, there are triggers for RLS and PILM in sleep aids, even OTC meds. Try to stay away from Ambien or similar drugs, Benedryl and meds which contain this antihistamine. Gabapentine is helpful for the PILM but what worked at 100 mgs doesn't work now at 200mgs and I hesitate to take more.

I have younger sisters who also have RLS and they too found relief in Vit D3. I suggest giving it a try as it is benign and inexpensive.

Another possibility is statins. I am not able to tolerate them but when I was taking them, it felt like there was something inside my legs pulling my skin inward. It was horrible.

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Have magnesium levels checked ,especially if you take Prilosec for chronic reflux etc. It can really pull on Magnesium

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@maystamper

Whatever you do do not take Requip! I took it for 17 years and then 2 years ago Boom! I had a gambling addiction! Not funny! It was discovered by Mayo Clinic. Unfortunately I was too late to get in on the class action law suit against the manufacturer. Now there is a warning on it that it causes hyper sexuality, addictive gambling, etc. I am tapering off it onto Lyrica and hope I done acquire another set of dose-effects. Beware!

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@maystamper Hello, I also have RLS and take requip. Can you tell me what dosage of requip you were on? I take 1mg twice a day and it just barely works. Does Lyrica work for you?

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