Is there something I can do for my Restless Leg Syndrome
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I wanted to write about Restless Leg Syndrome for those who have symptoms but don't know what it is or what to do about it. My journey with this annoying condition started after I went through chemo-therapy and radiation for cancer. The doctors prepared me that I would probably have tingly and numb hands, feet and legs, due to the treatment. They told me the condition would eventually go away, once some time had passed. My hands are no longer numb or tingly, but I continue to have problems with my legs and feet. After doing some on-line research, I realized I was suffering with "Restless Leg Syndrome."
What is Restless Leg Syndrome?
Restless Leg Syndrome is a disorder where you have an urgent need to move your legs or feet to relieve the unpleasant sensation. It usually occurs at night when your lying down or when your sitting in a position for a long period of time. I notice my feet and legs becoming restless when I am laying in bed at night or when I'm sitting in my recliner chair.
What do the symptoms look like?
Those who suffer with this disorder will use the following terms to describe the symptoms: Creeping, Crawling, Aching, Pulling, Tingling, Bubbling, Restless.
What can Help These Unpleasant Symptoms:
Unfortunatley, there is no known cure for Restless Leg Syndrome, but here are some tips that have helped me.
- Warm shower or bath to loosen and relax the muscles
- Massage
- Gentle stretching exercises-One in particular: Lean against wall or chair or anything strong enough to give you support and pull up on toes. Start out small and try to increase to 3x a day.
- Good self-Care (good nutrition, exercise, don't over-do caffeine).
- Prescription medications are available for people who have severe cases of RLS
- Taking vitamins or supplements to build your immune system. (iron supplements and B complex have been known to help with this disorder).
- Lower your stress as best you can
© 2010 Linda Rogers
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you need calcium and maybe B12 or B6,
good luck jandee
They are giving out Lyrica and such meds like bubble gum these days but I prefer the natural remedies myself. Many people scoff at this 'syndrome' but if you have it, it is NOT funny! Good information.
Blessings to you Ms. MT!
I meant to ask if your twin writes as well!!?? Are you both here at HubPages under one name!!??
Yes, RLS can be frustrating at best!! I have had it for years!! I can go for days without a problem, and then lie in bed to watch a movie and out of the blue it starts again!!
I also know that I need enormous amounts of calcium, B-6 and B-12 so I appreciate Jandee's comments as well!! I am a vegetarian and monitor my diet well!! Little did I know that although I took tons of high quality calcium, B-6 and B-12 that my body wasn't absorbing it!!??
The RLS can cause lost sleep resulting in a not too angelic Earth Angel the next day!!
Great Hub!! Blessings always, Earth Angel!!
fucsia-I will try the cold water. I Had always thought just warm water but I will give this a try. I so appreciate you stopping by and commenting. This is such a annoying problem.
jandee-I have taken b12 and b but never b6. I so appreciate your information. Thanks for taking time out to read my article and comment.
AKirchner-You are right on with the fact they give meds out like candy. I am so into supplements and other remedies that are good for my body. Anyone who scoffs at this, I would like them to take it from me any time and see if they still think it sounds like nothing big. Thanks for commenting.
EarthAngel-Blessings to you too. Yes, my twin sister is on hpages as HealingTouch. She introduced me to this great writers site. I laughed when you said your not so angelic when you've lost sleep due to this disorder. You have a great sense of humor. Isn't it wierd though how it can come back seemingly out of nowhere. Glad to see you take B6 and B12 and Calcium. Are you absorbing it these days? Good luck to you and heres to NO Restless Leg.
I have the answer, really. My Mom and I had it, she got it after a knee replacement and it is a misery but exercise will take it away, it did for me and Mom. I have written just in passing about this in one of my hubs. Start gradually holding anything for balance and lift up on your toes, increase a little more but never really need to do it but a few times a day to make it stop and then just now and then once it is gone. I always exercised to keep my calves solid, hate flabby ones on women and it was after I had the restless leg aggravation and I noticed it was not happening at night anymore, so when Mom got it I made her start doing it and on her own she would stop near a table or chair and just do maybe 5 or 6 at a time, B complex is great for anyone but I want to help anyone with this condition knowing how crazy and restless it can make you. At least give it a try.
A very nice hub. Thank you for mentioning this. I was going to mention that massage may help, but it seems some very good ideas have been mentioned also about the vitamins. Sometimes when I gently rub my leg, it seems to be a bit more relaxed. I wonder if over worked muscles have much to do with this too. A lot of good information, and maybe your family doctor can contribute some more information on it. God Bless You Dear Hearts. Hope You get the rest you need to do the things you want to do.
My sister says Walmart sells something for restless leg over the counter maybe in with vitamins,etc.,but as I have said mine hasn't been back in several years now. I use herbs and vitamins but after I got over the restless leg, but I agree anything beats medicine if you can find which does what. I make a blend of herbs grounded to mix I eat on toast every morning with a smudge of honey, and in salads, soups, anything I can add it to.
pollyannalana-thank you for taking time to let me know what worked for you. So are you saying I balance something on my foot and pull up at my toes? I will also look into talking to the pharmacist about what supplement or over the counter will help me. I take many supplements as a cancer survivor but maybe it's something I
not taking. Thanks again for taking the time to help me out. It is much appreciated.
Hi star439. You are so sweet to give me some more helpful hints. I have shaken my leg when it's happening in bed but I will see how massaging my calf or foot will help. Bless you and hopefully we all have a good rest tonite.
Try an activator chiropractor. www.activator.com
One of the possible reasons for RLS is the central nervous system that is the brain, the retina and the muscular system of the skeletal and vertebrates.
A good activator chiropractor looks after the central nervous system but it is not enough.
Meditating and using slow movements such as Tai Chi can help in bringing awareness to the inner body.
Most of the time, stress is locked in the lumber and cervical. Simply, neck shoulders back and guts.
The lower back is responsible for legs movements and walking. There is also a connection with the heart but it is included.
It is a good start that may help a lot.
The muscular system that is involved, can be helped and yet the activator chiropractor has to be the right touch. Find one that is not working for the money only.
Beaware of supplements. Mostly useless and may cause harm. Herbs are good as a stimulant of memory and perhaps the immunity system. Common fresh herbs such as basil and rosmary and so on.
I hope that this is helpful and making sense:)
Tkumah-Love the great information you gave me. I am guessing with all you have gone through you have become an expert at health issues. I appreciate the time you took to inform me. I will definitely be looking into this.
Gentle massage really does wonders. I love all those leg massages. This is a good hub, elaborating on the restless leg syndrome. Great.:)
Great excuse for me to go pay $100.00 for a massage. ha. Thanks for reading this hubpwriter. Hope you don't deal with it.
There is nothing more frustrating than RLS MT. I started suffering with it many years ago when i was pregnant. I was told that it could have been that the baby was resting on a nerve. After birthing my first son it left for a while. However all these years down the track i still suffer with it on and off. I find that it is worse when i am very tired. Of course that is when you don't need it. I can get relief if i get up and walk but that doesn't make me overly happy.
I have tried numerous things and most help to some degree but when it gets really severe my Doctor prescribed a muscle relaxant. This is not ideal but for those who suffer RLS it is worth taking the tablets.
I only take them on the nights that i need them.
Loves To Read-Thank you so much for sharing your journey with RLS. Can I ask you what your doctor prescribed for it when it's bad. That would be nice to have on hand. Just like you, I notice it is worse when I'm tired and havn't been putting myself first. Here's to a good nights sleep friend.
No, What I was saying is hold onto something for balance and go up on your toes, you feel it pulling the muscle so start slow and add to. That Restless Leg is only time in my life I have had trouble sleeping, you just can't!
Oh, I get it now! hee hee. I will start tonite. Thanks for answering me so quickly. Your awesome.
I love it. It is simple and straight to the point. All of your suggestions would work.
I hear that it really disturbs the people's sleep when they have it. The foot massage would work as well..
Generally it is a question of poor circulation...so anything that would alleviate that would be good.
The cause and I could be wrong is that there is accumulation of lactic acid in the leg muscles and normally it would be painful. but the lactic acid, a metabolic dead end desperately wants to go to the liver...so that it can be useful again.
msorrenson-I really appreciate your information. I did not know it could be excess lactic acid. Thanks so much for stopping in and making a visit to my hub. Have a great rest of the day.
I suffer from this and it is a pain. I hear us pop drinkers have it from the caffeine
Healing touch
Don't remind me sis.
Great hub. I have had RLS for years. My Dr. has me on Mirapex which I want to quit taking. I will try some of your suggestions Rated up.
Hi there Gypsy48-I really appreciate your visit. I am sorry to hear you deal with rls. I'm not on anything for it and just take supplements. Do you have bad side effects from Mirapix? Sometime side effects can be worse than the problem. Hope you sleep well.
I have a little RLS in that I come home from work and like to take a short nap. Short, because the RLS won't let me lie down for very long.
My sister has had it very bad for many years and mentioned to lay off the coffee on the drive home. It has helped considerably.
She has also gone through a living hell from the side effects of Mirapex, being taken to alleviate RLS. To you and your readers: LEARN ABOUT MIRAPEX before taking it, even on advice from a doctor. I have told her story here on HubPages and it is a truly strange and frightening one.
I'll have to read about your sister's story about the MIRAPEX. Sounds scary :-0 I havn't taken any medication for it and found that less caffeine and doing the leg lifts that Pollyanna mentioned, helped me a lot. Thanks so much for reading my article.
If you aren't taking Mirapex, great! If you are anyone else is, please, please read the hub. It is indeed scary that such a strange side effect can happen.
I'm on my way to read your hub about this Mirapex drug. Thanks for educating people on this.
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fucsia Level 3 Commenter 21 months ago
Thank you for your advices...
It happens to me when I'm a long standing, I am very tired and/or it is very hot. I usually spray cold water on my legs and I do a massage with a refreshing cream.