Wandering Legs

[Housemouse]

Hello,

Is there anything I can do to settle my legs please? Evenings and night time are the worst, I have a constant need to move or stretch them - if I concentrate on trying not to - the sensation worsens and the muscles tighten on their own. (It does not feel like my 'usual' spasms - it's rather a constant need to move them) sometimes my legs slide around so much that it wakes me a few times during the night.

I used to get night cramps in the legs during 'cramp phase' and Quinine stopped the cramps but does not seem to help with the 'wandering'

Thank you.

[Dr Charles Shepherd]

It sounds as though you may have a condition called restless legs syndrome (RLS)

This is a fairly common problem in ME/CFS and may be related to sleep disturbance

It can also be linked to iron deficiency anaemia and other neurological problems

You ought to discuss this with your GP because in addition to some self-help management there are drugs affecting brain chemical transmitters that may be of help if symptoms are more severe

The MEA has an information leaflet on RLS that accompanies our leaflet on the management of sleep disturbance in ME/CFS

MEA website and pdf literature form: http://www.meassociation.org.uk

NHS Choices info on RLS

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Restless-l ... ction.aspx