Twitching legs??

[cathplum]

Has anyone suffered from twitching legs when going to sleep?

Someone has suggested drinking slimline tonic before going to bed or asking GP for quinine tablets.

I believe it also might be related to low levels of iron or magnesium.

Is this a side-effect of diabetes?

Wishing for an easier night's sleep, free of twitches!

 

[ukjohn]

Has anyone suffered from twitching legs when going to sleep?

Someone has suggested drinking slimline tonic before going to bed or asking GP for quinine tablets.

I believe it also might be related to low levels of iron or magnesium.

Is this a side-effect of diabetes?

Wishing for an easier night's sleep, free of twitches!

Hi.

Can't say that I have had twitching legs going to bed, but I have suffered with cramp, I know that drinking slimline tonic water or quinine tablets will help with cramp, but don't know about twitches, wether they are related.

John.

 

[Northerner]

It might be restless leg syndrome, see here:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Restless-leg-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx

I think a few of our members have it - hopefully they will be along to share their experiences.

 

[Catwoman76]

Has anyone suffered from twitching legs when going to sleep?

Someone has suggested drinking slimline tonic before going to bed or asking GP for quinine tablets.

I believe it also might be related to low levels of iron or magnesium.

Is this a side-effect of diabetes?

Wishing for an easier night's sleep, free of twitches!

Hello cathplun, sorry to hear of your twitchy legs. It could be RLS, Restless Leg Syndrome. I have had this for years, I take tablets for RLS 1 hour before bed and about 18months ago the RLS got so bad during the day that I take tablets for daytime. I sometimes get it on train journeys, in the cinema as well. My legs do jerk and also my symptoms are a pulling sensation in my legs. I have started to take magnesium.
If you go to see your GP, the Gp should get you tested for low iron as this can be a cause.It's also called Ekbom syndrome.

I hope you don't have RLS and I hope you manage to get a good nights sleep tonight. Try not to worry, there is help out there. Best wishes

 

[clairemm]

Hi cathplum, sorry to hear of your problem I have something simular.

I don?t think I have RLS but I have developed what I can only describe as a relentless urge to move my legs, I mainly get it at night when I get into bed but I also get it when I sit in the same position for a long time. I do think it a side effect of my medication.

I read up about rls and ekbons when I first started noticing it, and that?s what makes me think I don?t have either because I don?t suffer nearly as much as some. I find making sure I do some walking or excersie during the day can either ease it completely or at least take the edge off.

but if I get into bed and it still starts then I have 2 tactics, (1) lay on my back and cycle my legs in the air for a bit and/or (2) apply one of those cold sprays or gels that you uses on sprains/sports injuries.

apprently "planking" is the perfect body position for easing the symptons of rls/ekbon, planking in laying face down, in a ridged straight as possible position.

lastly dont let it get you into any bad habits, i started getting out of bed when it happened and laying down on the sofa, partly as it felt like its eased the syptoms and partly to avoid distrubing my hubby all night, but now i've trained myself into a bad habit that i cant break and i now never sleep a full night in my bed now.

 

[Catwoman76]

Hi cathplum, sorry to hear of your problem I have something simular.

I don?t think I have RLS but I have developed what I can only describe as a relentless urge to move my legs, I mainly get it at night when I get into bed but I also get it when I sit in the same position for a long time. I do think it a side effect of my medication.

I read up about rls and ekbons when I first started noticing it, and that?s what makes me think I don?t have either because I don?t suffer nearly as much as some. I find making sure I do some walking or excersie during the day can either ease it completely or at least take the edge off.

but if I get into bed and it still starts then I have 2 tactics, (1) lay on my back and cycle my legs in the air for a bit and/or (2) apply one of those cold sprays or gels that you uses on sprains/sports injuries.

apprently "planking" is the perfect body position for easing the symptons of rls/ekbon, planking in laying face down, in a ridged straight as possible position.

lastly dont let it get you into any bad habits, i started getting out of bed when it happened and laying down on the sofa, partly as it felt like its eased the syptoms and partly to avoid distrubing my hubby all night, but now i've trained myself into a bad habit that i cant break and i now never sleep a full night in my bed now.

Hi clairemm If cath does have RLS then you do need to walk about,or as I did and still do, walk up and down the stairs but the best thing I found was to go and do something, anything, like cleaning out or tidying up a cupboard, once I start doing this, the focus is on the task I'm doing and NOT the RLS.
I am always on the go, I dont drive and i have lots of exercise, maybe this could be my problem! Diabetes and RLS are related. It may not be RLS, but I think its best to see GP first, just to rule out anything else. Best wishes.

 

[cathplum]

Thanks for the replies ... will go to GP

Apparently it could be related to antidepressant meds I'm on too!