Restless Legs Syndrome

[mommaU4]

Has anyone heard of this or been diagnosed with it?

Here is a brief description of what it is:
"Restless Legs Syndrome is an overwhelming urge to move the legs usually caused by uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in the legs. The sensations have the following features:

Occur during periods of inactivity
Become more sensitive in the evening and at night
Are relieved by movement of the limb
Often cause difficulty staying or falling asleep, which leads to feelings of daytime tiredness or fatigue
May cause involuntary jerking of the limbs during sleep and sometimes during wakefulness

If you do have restless legs syndrome (RLS), you are not alone. Up to 8% of the US population may have this neurologic condition. Many people have a mild form of the disorder, but RLS severely affects the lives of millions of individuals"

Although I have never been to a doctor to confirm it, I believe I have been dealing with this off and on since my pregnancy with my twins (now 5). It took me awhile to figure out what was wrong with me but I'm sure this is it. I was just wondering if there was anyone else out there who had it or even heard of it?

 

[aprilgail2]

I have heard of it but usually reffered to as "Jimmy legs"...I think that started with the seinfeld episode where Kramer couldn't sleep with the woman because she had "the jimmy legs"

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I experience Restless Leg on occasion. Before I saw the commercials on tv I had no idea it had a name. I've never been to a doctor to be diagnosed but I'm sure that's what it is.

It's a weird sensation in my lower legs, literally restless and I feel like I can't get comfortable. For me, it usually signals bed time. Once I've walked upstairs and climbed in to bed it stops. I couldn't imagine having to deal with it more often than once in a while, it's annoying and hard to describe to someone else.

 

[madalynns mom]

I have heard of this and I swore I had it when I was pregnant ( but I also thought everything was wrong with me ) Seriously though, I thought I was going to rip my legs off just so I could fall asleep!!! Everytime I laid down to go to sleep it would happen. It was so annoying. It made me absolutely nuts. It went away after I had my daughter so I never went to the doctor for it. I wish I could tell you more about it, sorry!

 

[2BigKIdz]

Yes, as you I haven't been to the doctor to confirm it but I'm sure that I have it and have since I was a child.

I notice it's a lot worse when I am having difficulty sleeping, don't know if the legs are causing the difficulty sleeping or vice versa.

I am constantly moving my legs (shaking or bouncing them, not sure how to describe it), usually I am not aware of it until someone, normally my husband, brings it to my attention.

 

[mommaU4]

Yes, as you I haven't been to the doctor to confirm it but I'm sure that I have it and have since I was a child.

I notice it's a lot worse when I am having difficulty sleeping, don't know if the legs are causing the difficulty sleeping or vice versa.

I am constantly moving my legs (shaking or bouncing them, not sure how to describe it), usually I am not aware of it until someone, normally my husband, brings it to my attention.

For me it is usually the cause of my not being able to sleep. I notice that if I get over tired it is worse.

Periods of inactivity are bad too. We went on a car trip to Chicago back in April of last year. On the way home I thought I was going to die. My legs were driving me crazy. I had to stop at all the rest stops and just walk!

 

[mum4jenn]

I have not been diagnosed with it but I do suffer from it at times. I usually take a Tylenol Arthritis and it helps a great deal.

 

[mommaU4]

I have heard of this and I swore I had it when I was pregnant ( but I also thought everything was wrong with me ) Seriously though, I thought I was going to rip my legs off just so I could fall asleep!!! Everytime I laid down to go to sleep it would happen. It was so annoying. It made me absolutely nuts. It went away after I had my daughter so I never went to the doctor for it. I wish I could tell you more about it, sorry!

You probably did, that's when mine started. Unofrtunately it hasn't gone away entirely. I used to cry because I was so tired (pregnant with twins plus two little ones to care for) but I couldn't stand to lay down!

 

[Judy from Boise]

You should talk to your health care provider.....they have drugs that help.....off the top of my head I beleive Nuerotin often works.

 

[Nala56]

I have had this since I was a child although didn't know there was a name for it and that anyone else was bothered with it.

When my legs really bother me, my husband massages my calfs and usually my muscles are really knotted. After he gets the knots out my legs are much better, usually for several days.

Maybe this will help someone else.

 

[Tracey1974]

Ugh- I have this once in a while in the car and when laying on the couch. I had it really bad when I was pregnant. I don't know if it is bad enough for me to take medication for it but it is definitely annoying. You feel like you just have to strethc your legs out every 30 seconds!

 

[harleyquinn]

I also have not been diagnosed, but I believe I have it. Before the commercials started, i thought I was going crazy!

I heard somewhere that it can be caused by a lack of iron, so I started taking a multivitamin with iron when it bothers me--it always works. It's usually at it's worst for me right after my period, so I think there's something to the iron thing. And when your preggers, you have more blood going to the baby, so that could explain why so many report it when pregnant? Just guessing here.

 

[maelcu]

My mother and 2 aunts (her sisters) have been diagnosed I am going next month. All of them have switched to Requip. It has done a wonderfull job. Periods of inactivity are aweful!!!!!!! I try to stay away from long car rides and when I cant stand it anymore I take a sheet or blanket and wrap my legs tight and for some reason that seems to help. The doctors have said there is a link between low iron in the blood and RLS.

 

[Deb in IA]

There are several clinical trials going on right now of new investigational drugs for this disorder.

I would urge you to discuss further diagnostic testing with your primary care providers.

 

[disneynutt1225]

DFi has this. It mostly affects him when he's overtired - sometimes he'll be kicking all night long. When he remembers to take his multivitamins regularly the RLS doesn't bother him at all. Sometimes he'll also take some Advil when it's really bad and that usually makes it go away enough for him to go to sleep.

 

[BelleMcNally]

Both my mother and her brother have this--until the commercials started no one had ever heard of it and thought they were making it up.

 

[miss missy]

Well my DH just started with it, I think. All of a sudden his leg kicks in his sleep. Doesn't bother him, he doesnt wake up, but the bed shakes! Baboom, baboom... it is timed perfectly too! Weird! He has knee surgery, I think this is when it started?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

As a night nurse, I see it a LOT in the hospital. It generally occurs when we are giving diuretics for heart failure and the electrolytes become imbalanced. Sometimes it's so bad the patients scream out in pain. I agree you should talk to your doctors about it. Make sure you are getting adequate dietary nutrients from a varied diet (and consider a multivitamin). Some people take quinine before bedtime, you would need a prescription for that. Good luck, I know it's painful. My legs used to ache horribly after working a long shift running around until I changed my shoes to rubber ones (that might be something to think about, too). One of the chemo agents I had, too, caused incredible muscle aches and I remember praying they would go away when I was done (and thankfully they did).

 

[miss missy]

As a night nurse, I see it a LOT in the hospital. It generally occurs when we are giving diuretics for heart failure and the electrolytes become imbalanced. Sometimes it's so bad the patients scream out in pain. I agree you should talk to your doctors about it. Make sure you are getting adequate dietary nutrients from a varied diet (and consider a multivitamin). Some people take quinine before bedtime, you would need a prescription for that. Good luck, I know it's painful. My legs used to ache horribly after working a long shift running around until I changed my shoes to rubber ones (that might be something to think about, too). One of the chemo agents I had, too, caused incredible muscle aches and I remember praying they would go away when I was done (and thankfully they did).

Thanks for the info! When DH wakes up, sometimes he is in pain and walking like it hurts so much, I never put the two together... hmmm

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

I have it and have suffered with it since I was a teenager. I wouldn't call it pain as much as a sensation of....well, restlessness. You can't make your legs be still. Its a constant urge to have them moving. I also notice more when I have to go to the bathroom at night. DH will wake me up and ask me if I need to go pee. Even if I don't feel like I have to, when I go, its a lot and it seems to help quiet my legs down for a while. Its weird.