Restless legs getting worse.

[giddyup]

Have suffered RLS for many years, sometimes I get a few nights respite before suffering again. However, I am now getting it during the day accompanied by a sharp pain in the arch of my left foot every time my leg spasms. Not sure where I go from here, Thai doctors don't seem very familiar with the symptoms.

[ThaiPauly]

Maybe you should see a Pain Management Doctor.

 

Most hospitals have one, I would recommend Dr. Prasakon at Sriphat. He sorted out my sciatic nerve problem a few years ago.

 

Ram does not have any that I could recommend

 

Good luck

 

 

PS. Just seen that it looks like you are in Pattaya, I am sure they have Pain Management Doctors there, but I am unfamiliar with hospitals down there, sorry about that.

Edited January 11, 2020 by ThaiPauly
Regional

[Pilotman]

i had similar for a long time.  When I went on my weight loss and fitness programme some time ago, once I was down to my target weight, the restless legs went away and have not returned.  I put it down to very low sugar, salt and carb intake and the leg exercises, 3 times each week for 30 minutes. 

[Pilotman]

3 minutes ago, ThaiPauly said:

Maybe you should see a Pain Management Doctor.

 

Most hospitals have one, I would recommend Dr. Prasakon at Sriphat. He sorted out my sciatic nerve problem a few years ago.

 

Ram does not have any that I could recommend

 

Good luck

while pain management may be one way, surely the idea must be to stop the syndrome altogether? For me it wasn't painful, just irritating and discomforting, so pain management would not have helped.  In any event, masking such things with pain medication is rarely the answer. 

[donnacha]

If you happen to be in a position to try it, I've heard that pot or grass can help.

[Sheryl]

What you describe in the daytime does not sound like RLS.  And if I recall correctly your night time problem was not RLS either but rather periodic limb movement disorder...which I am noiw thiunking may actually have been muscle spasms rather than hypnic jerks.

 

Which doctors have you seen? Did you ever consult Dr. Jakrin Loplumlert at Bangkok Hospital as previously recommended?

 

You need to see a neurologist and have some basic lab work (electrolytes, including potassium, calcium and magnesium) done. If you want you could get the labs fdone on your own first., Iwoudl suggest a basic chemistry panel (BUN, creatnine, ALS AST, electrolytes) plus Magnesium and Calcium if nto already included.

[Lacessit]

Is it RLS, or night cramps?

I have a one hour massage twice a week. Occasionally, I will take 500 mg of quinine as a precaution.

Magnesium supplements are recommended, although they don't seem to do much for me. Drink plenty of water, and be aware alcohol can provoke cramping.

[RJRS1301]

I have found with many who ive with RLS that potassium assits with it, but as previously suggested blood work would be a good ideam if increasing potassium via suppliments.

Exercise by stretching calf and archilles tendons and hamstrings may assist.

You can find low impact exercises on the net for seniors, takes a few eeks, but worth a tyr. Check your diet and weight.

 

[EVENKEEL]

"Restless legs" thought it was another I'm leaving Thailand rant.

[giddyup]

12 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Is it RLS, or night cramps?

I have a one hour massage twice a week. Occasionally, I will take 500 mg of quinine as a precaution.

Magnesium supplements are recommended, although they don't seem to do much for me. Drink plenty of water, and be aware alcohol can provoke cramping.

Not cramps.

[giddyup]

28 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

What you describe in the daytime does not sound like RLS.  And if I recall correctly your night time problem was not RLS either but rather periodic limb movement disorder...which I am noiw thiunking may actually have been muscle spasms rather than hypnic jerks.

 

Which doctors have you seen? Did you ever consult Dr. Jakrin Loplumlert at Bangkok Hospital as previously recommended?

 

You need to see a neurologist and have some basic lab work (electrolytes, including potassium, calcium and magnesium) done. If you want you could get the labs fdone on your own first., Iwoudl suggest a basic chemistry panel (BUN, creatnine, ALS AST, electrolytes) plus Magnesium and Calcium if nto already included.

I did see a doctor previously at Bkk Hospital, can't remember his name, and he prescribed Clonazepam, which helps me sleep but doesn't stop the spasms. I do take Magnesium and Calcium supplements.

[Speedo1968]

I started to get night cramps and my legs wanting to stretch out for no reason.    This seems to be related to a number of TIA's and a stroke ( complicated by nearly 3 days on the floor causing rhabdomyolysis ).

 

Some months ago I started simple yoga floor exercises ( lying on my back ) during which I stretch my whole body until I can feel tingling in my toes and fingers.    This seems to stop the issue of night cramps and unwanted leg stretches.     Perhaps this could help you ?

[giddyup]

4 hours ago, Speedo1968 said:

I started to get night cramps and my legs wanting to stretch out for no reason.    This seems to be related to a number of TIA's and a stroke ( complicated by nearly 3 days on the floor causing rhabdomyolysis ).

 

Some months ago I started simple yoga floor exercises ( lying on my back ) during which I stretch my whole body until I can feel tingling in my toes and fingers.    This seems to stop the issue of night cramps and unwanted leg stretches.     Perhaps this could help you ?

Anything is worth a try. I'll have a look on Youtube for some simple Yoga exercises.

[generealty]

I have suffered this for years and it can be terrible, lack of sleep etc leads to other problems. Flying was also very uncomfortable. I was told that lack of calcium and magnesium was the cause. There are many supplements out there that offers these so might be worth a purchase or two. Good luck

[giddyup]

2 minutes ago, generealty said:

I have suffered this for years and it can be terrible, lack of sleep etc leads to other problems. Flying was also very uncomfortable. I was told that lack of calcium and magnesium was the cause. There are many supplements out there that offers these so might be worth a purchase or two. Good luck

Already said that I take both.

[generealty]

giddyup sorry did not see it in main OP and only just noticed it in posts further in. Good luck

[Trentham]

Hi giddyup. I am pleased you started this topic. RLS is a very common problem which many do not know about. Research suggests that one in every 7 to 10 people suffer with it but many so mildly that they never do anything about it or even know they have it.

 

I am 76 years old and have had it since I was a teenager. It is usual that it gets worse with age and in my case severely so. About 6 years ago it got so I was not sleeping before 3 t0 4 AM every night so finally went to the doc. about it and was prescribed carbidopa levodopa. It worked like magic for 1 week and then the RLS became incredibly severe.

 

So WARNING here. My research shows this reaction to carbidopa levodopa happens in many patients. It is called drug augmentation and one uni website [Yale or Harvard] suggests 60% of the time.

 

RLS runs in families and my sister has it too. Sifrol is great for her but has no effect on me. I have tried about 15 different drugs now [Ropinarole, Gabapentin, Baclofen, Lyrica, etc.etc.] and also magnesium Oil and supplements. I have been given iron infusions, I have tried ice packs, pressure bandages and nothing works for me.

 

After the carbidopa levodopa the RLS became so bad I cannot sit or lie down anytime of the day. It now occurs in my whole body and manifests as electric currents, ants crawling in or on me, prickles and itches or none of these - just an incredible urge to move without having any feelings at all.

 

Finally in desperation my neurologist prescribed an opiate [Targen] and it works for me. I now get 8 sleep hours every night but the opiate constipates me so consequently I dose up heavily on laxatives. 

 

 

[giddyup]

10 minutes ago, Trentham said:

 

I am 76 years old and have had it since I was a teenager. It is usual that it gets worse with age and in my case severely so. About 6 years ago it got so I was not sleeping before 3 t0 4 AM every night so finally went to the doc. about it and was prescribed carbidopa levodopa. It worked like magic for 1 week and then the RLS became incredibly severe. 

RLS runs in families and my sister has it too. Sifrol is great for her but has no effect on me. 

Wow! Thanks for your response, it says no matter how bad my condition might be there's always someone who is suffering more. I truly sympathise. I will say my RLS does give me respite from time to time, ie last night I slept very well with no twitching or painful feet, not sure if it was because my partner got me to soak my feet in warm water for 15 minutes before bed, but I did get a break. Not sure if my father suffered from the same condition, but he did pass his gout on to me, the only thing I did inherit from him.

Edited January 12, 2020 by giddyup

[Dumbastheycome]

I  have a  cousin  who started  to suffer RLS at around  age  40. He eventually  found  relief from  Chiropractic intervention. Not in Thailand . Not sure if that is an option where you are and I know  many are sceptical  about Chiropractic.

[justin case]

dehydration,  low iron or low on magnesium

 

don't start with expensive and dangerous pills, but check levels

[giddyup]

16 minutes ago, justin case said:

dehydration,  low iron or low on magnesium

 

don't start with expensive and dangerous pills, but check levels

No symptoms (other than RLS) that would indicate an iron deficiency, and I take Magnesium supplements now.

[cheeryble]

Im not a "pot cures everything" advocate, but for those with real RLS I know a lady who was driven crazy by it and could not sleep.

She bought some oil abroad, i believe CBD oil and said it changed her life immediately.

 

This is only an anecdote, but I got it from the (sensible, normal) horse's mouth.

[giddyup]

4 minutes ago, cheeryble said:

Im not a "pot cures everything" advocate, but for those with real RLS I know a lady who was driven crazy by it and could not sleep.

She bought some oil abroad, i believe CBD oil and said it changed her life immediately.

 

This is only an anecdote, but I got it from the (sensible, normal) horse's mouth.

I'd be happy to try it if I can get prescription, but only if I can take it without smoking it. Since quitting smoking about 7 years ago there's no way I'll smoke in any form again.

[Trentham]

3 minutes ago, giddyup said:

I'd be happy to try it if I can get prescription, but only if I can take it without smoking it. Since quitting smoking about 7 years ago there's no way I'll smoke in any form again.

Cannabis oil did not work for me.Plus it gave me a hangover.

 

[CGW]

58 minutes ago, Dumbastheycome said:

I  have a  cousin  who started  to suffer RLS at around  age  40. He eventually  found  relief from  Chiropractic intervention. Not in Thailand . Not sure if that is an option where you are and I know  many are sceptical  about Chiropractic.

Agree with the Chiro could help, unfortunately there are more bad Chiros than good, there is a very good one in Bangkok, acupuncture could help as well, again not easy to find a good practitioner, but they are out there.

[giddyup]

4 minutes ago, Trentham said:

Cannabis oil did not work for me.Plus it gave me a hangover.

 

Was that for RLS?

[Sheryl]

26 minutes ago, giddyup said:

No symptoms (other than RLS) that would indicate an iron deficiency, and I take Magnesium supplements now.

 

Again I suggest you get labs done (see prior post) There are deficiencies other than just Mg that can cause this.

 

In Pattaya you can get them done here

 

http://lifecare.siam2web.com/

 

Also I strongly suggest you stop using the term "RLS" especially with doctors as it will confuse them/divert their attention.

 

To my understanding that is not what you are suffering from but rather involuntary leg spasms which are not occurring day time as well and painful. 

 

You may be suffering from an underlying  metabolic or neuromuscular disorder.

[giddyup]

3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

You may be suffering from an underlying  metabolic or neuromuscular disorder.

Which would be treated how?

[Sheryl]

Just now, giddyup said:

Which would be treated how?

Depends on what it is.

[thasoss]

I'd try blackmores bio magnesium. If you Google it will give you the ingredients and dosage Blackmores are an Australian company, many Thai pharmacists stock them