[Indiana Bones]

For as long as I can remember (yes, as a small child), I've always had to move one of my feet or legs from side to side when trying to fall asleep. I only ever move one leg/foot at a time, and it is just in a sideways motion. I will change legs sometimes, but I move my right leg the most. I cannot get to sleep at all without moving my foot. If I don't move my feet, I get a weird tingly feeling in my leg, I can't describe it, but if I don't move my legs, it builds up until it just becomes unbearable.
I have noticed also that of an evening when sitting in my recliner, I also have to move my feet to remain comfortable. Sometimes the horrible feeling doesn't go away and it drives me insane (if this happens I put myself to bed to try and relieve some of the sensation).

Does this sound like RLS? If so, what can I do about it? I feel a bit silly going to my GP when I've been this way since a small child but sometimes I cannot get any relief from the weird horrible sensation that happens in my legs if I don't move my feet.

ETA: Sometimes I also get a really weird pinching type feeling in the soles/sides of my feet, as if someone is pinching the skin there and holding onto it. There isn't anything I can do to relieve this sensation, it feels quite freaky though.
Any ideas/suggestions?

This post has been edited by Indiana Bones: 02/02/2013, 10:43 PM

[CubaLulu]

Yep, that's RLS. I have it too (but get the sensation mostly in my feet, so I've called it Restless Feet since before I knew it was a 'thing'. I've also suffered with it since childhood) and it's craptacular.

I find some things do exacerbate it though. Caffeine and being over tired and being overly heated are all big no-nos for me. I still (stupidly) drink coffee though, but if I have more than one, I will pay for it later.

The only things that bring relief are to cool my feet/legs (a cool damp face washer and a fan can help) or to move them to a cool part of the bed (hence the moving side to side thing). Other than that, codeine is a last resort. It is a relaxant and occasionally I have to resort to taking some to go to sleep. Not ideal though!

There is no known 'cure' and there are several theories as to the cause.

[libbylu]

How are your iron levels?
I get this sometimes, and worse during pregnancy, but have found upping my iron seems to help. There have been some associations found b/w restless leg and low iron but not in every case.
I think some people have fairly nasty cases and there is some more heavy medication you can take if it is really interfering with your life (like stopping you from sleeping).

[belindarama]

It sounds like it to me as well. It is horrible isn't it?

I have some additional issues as well but I take baclofen and this gives me some relief. I still have bad nights but they are less frequent with this. This may be because I have another issue in addition to RLS that also causes muscle tremors.

DH also gets better sleep as I don't kick him as much! My Dad has a severe case, a sleep study confirmed 60 involuntary movements a minute! He takes Permax but I think that is more unusual as a treatment for RLS.

Also a magnesium supplement may give you some relief.