Wandering Legs
Moderator: talkhealth
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- Posts: 26
- Joined: Wed Aug 14, 2013 5:30 pm
Wandering Legs
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.
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
- Posts: 215
- Joined: Wed Aug 07, 2013 11:30 am
Re: Wandering Legs
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
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
Dr Charles Shepherd
MB BS, Honorary Medical Adviser, ME Association
MB BS, Honorary Medical Adviser, ME Association