Can anyone tell me more about restless leg syndrome, and any good?
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Restless legs syndrome (RLS, or Wittmaack-Ekbom's syndrome) is a condition that is characterised by an irresistible urge to move one's legs. It is poorly understood [citation needed], often misdiagnosed, and believed to be a neurological disorder.
It is sometimes mistakenly called "Ekbom's syndrome", but that is an entirely different condition that shares part of the Wittmaack-Ekbom syndrome eponym: delusional parasitosis, as both syndromes were described by the same person, Karl-Axel Ekbom. [1]
Many doctors express the view that the incidence of restless leg syndrome is exaggerated by manufacturers of drugs used to treat it.[2]
Many people tap their feet or shake their legs resulting from a nervous tic, consumption of stimulants, drug side-effects or other factors; this is usually innocuous, unnoticed, and does not interfere with daily life, quite distinct from Restless Leg Syndrome.
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) (which is also sometimes referred to as Jimmy Legs, Jumpy Legs, Jiggly Legs, Jimmy Jams, Gravy Gams, Heebeejeebees, spare legs, "the kicks", kicky-outy legs, stretchy legs, or sewing machine foot)[citation needed] may be described as uncontrollable urges to move the limbs in order to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations in the body, most commonly in the legs, but can also be in the arms and torso. Moving the affected body part modulates the sensations, providing temporary relief.
The sensations–and need to move–may return immediately after ceasing movement, or at a later time. RLS may start at any age, including early childhood, and is a progressive disease for a certain portion of those afflicted, although the symptoms have disappeared permanently in some sufferers.
Many physicians doubt that RLS actually exists as a legitimate clinical entity, but believe it to be a kind of "catch-all" category...perhaps related to a general heightened sympathetic nervous system (SNS) response that could be caused by any number of physical or emotional factors. Lumbosacral spinal subluxations and life stress are two of these.[citation needed] Incidentally, the side effects of some Restless Leg Syndrome drugs can be very serious.[citation needed] This must be considered by anyone seeking a medical solution for RLS.
[edit] Symptoms
"An urge to move, usually due to uncomfortable sensations that occur primarily in the legs."
The sensations are unusual and unlike other common sensations, and those with RLS have a hard time describing them. People use words such as: uncomfortable, antsy, electrical, creeping, painful, itching, pins and needles, pulling, creepy-crawly, ants inside the legs, and many others. The sensation and the urge can occur in any body part; the most cited location is legs, followed by arms. Some people have little or no sensation, yet still have a strong urge to move.
"Motor restlessness, expressed as activity, that relieves the urge to move."
Movement will usually bring immediate relief, however, often only temporary and partial. Walking is most common; however, doing stretches, yoga, biking, or other physical activity may relieve the symptoms. Constant and fast up-and-down movement of the leg, coined "sewing machine legs" by at least one RLS sufferer, is often done to keep the sensations at bay without having to walk. Sometimes a specific type of movement will help a person more than another.
"Worsening of symptoms by relaxation."
Any type of inactivity involving sitting or lying – reading a book, a plane ride, watching TV or a movie, taking a nap - can trigger the sensations and urge to move. This depends on several factors: the severity of the person’s RLS, the degree of restfulness, the duration of the inactivity, etc.
"Variability over the course of the day-night cycle, with symptoms worse in the evening and early in the night."
While some only experience RLS at bedtime and others experience it throughout the day and night, most sufferers experience the worst symptoms in the evening .
Hi,
i used to suffer with this and it would get so bad that it would keep me awake,
since my doctor changed my pain relife tablets i do not get it any more.
Are you on any medication, as that could be the cause of it.
i dont think there is a cure i get it to when i chill out usually before i go to bed.
i have restless legs with ms and am on clonazepam 0.5mg at night good luck helps me hope helps u good luck
Is that when your leg cramps up really bad? I get that sometimes in the morning when waking up. I herd you get those from not drinking enough water.
If you're suffering from withdrawal from something, RLS can be associated (mine comes from narcotic analgesic withdrawal when I stop taking them after passing a kidney stone). Things that cause increased nervousness can also be a culprit: caffeine, SSRI's (used to treat depression and anxiety, but can cause unpleasant reactions for some people), antihistamines (particularly those with pseudoephedrine/sudafed), etc. Also, a HUGE number of physical illnesses can be caused by dehydration, so try drinking water (it's worth a shot!).
You might try seeing a doctor, sometimes they have some pretty good ideas of what to do for you... I think the Mayo Clinic (in Minnesota, USA) has a group dedicated to researching RLS, you could try looking on their website.
Hello.Restless Leg Syndrome occurs when muscles and nerves in the affected leg start to twitch and go into mini-spasms causing the effect you mention. As a sufferer of this at the very mild end of the scale,mine was controlled by drugs from my GP. I would urge you to go to your GP for a proper diagnosis if you haven't already got one. The GP can issue you with a prescription which will definitely help settle it down although it may take several days to do so. I'm wondering if you have some kind of arthritic or rheumatic condition which can sometimes be present when RLS occurs. Go visit your GP and make sure you get that proper diagnosis. It'll be well worth it when you've got some pills and potions and you're not being kept awake by this dreadful condition.All the very best,Alan L.
Just to say thanks for asking this, it's given me some ideas now too as I suffer with it and it's horrible. Hope you manage to sort yours out!
I don't know the medical reason for this problem but having suffered with it for several years I now rarely get it. WHY/ BECAUSE I'm more physically active, than I've ever been I go to the gym and do both resistance and cardiovascular work three times a week, I walk at least 10,00 steps per day, I've lost 5stone in weight. I eat right and I only wear short pj's in bed. I don't know which one works but if I'm away from home and can't do my now normal physical activities back they come with in 24 hours. I'm 60 male and in the best shape I've been for years. Try it, it might work for you too.
Spirit Girl had a good suggestion - some of my problem was caused by an antihistamine (also, can't take anything like Tylenol PM) ... if that isn't your situation, you might try this - it really helped me!
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article...
go on www.goodtoknow.co.uk then click on health, then go down to R, and its got information on it
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