giddyup Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 I have had RLS (restless leg syndrome) for a few years, it comes and goes as far as intensity, but lately the symptoms seem to be getting worse, to the point where I'm really not getting much sleep at all, and what I do get isn't that good. Just as I'm about to fall asleep my body will have a spasm that wakens me again, and this cycle can keep repeating itself for most of the night. I believe this might also be known as a "hypnic jerk". I went to a doctor in Pattaya a few years back, but he only prescribed sleeping pills, which work to some degree, but I'd prefer if I didn't have to use them every night. Does anyone else suffer from this, and have they received any medical treatment (or homeopathic) that has had good results? The condition is really starting to get me down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Are these spasms all in the legs? And are they painful? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted August 17, 2017 Author Share Posted August 17, 2017 57 minutes ago, Sheryl said: Are these spasms all in the legs? And are they painful? The restless legs are more of a feeling of discomfort than pain, but the spasms that jerk me awake as I'm about to drop off are painless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dddave Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 (edited) This is really simplistic but do you get enough potassium in your diet? I used to get RLS frequently, Unrelated to that, I had to start taking blood pressure meds, among them HydroChloroThiazide which can as a side effect, reduce potassium levels, so I eat a banana a day as a potassium supplement. Since I began doing that, I have not had any RLS episodes. I can't say with any certainty that the bananas are preventing the RLS but certainly no harm in trying a few extra bananas in your diet. There are many other good potassium sources such as potatoes, kidney beans, avocado, dried fruit. Edited August 17, 2017 by dddave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enigmatist Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 Never heard of potassium to alleviate RLS. MY ex-wife had it for 20 years. Started on magnesium tablets then found out red wine has plenty enough of magnesium. Had half a glass of red with half water 30 mins before going to bed and shortly after ditched the tablets. Never had RLS return.2 drinks a day is good for you, so they say, especially the "Mediterranean" diet...make one or both of those a good glass of red. Apart from the magnesium, an enzyme in red wine called resveratrol is reputed to assist in cleaning clogged arteries of cholesterol. Red wine is a soporific and muscle relaxant to boot. Drink responsibly [emoji41]Sent from my SM-G610F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted August 17, 2017 Author Share Posted August 17, 2017 2 hours ago, Enigmatist said: Never heard of potassium to alleviate RLS. MY ex-wife had it for 20 years. Started on magnesium tablets then found out red wine has plenty enough of magnesium. Had half a glass of red with half water 30 mins before going to bed and shortly after ditched the tablets. Never had RLS return.2 drinks a day is good for you, so they say, especially the "Mediterranean" diet...make one or both of those a good glass of red. Apart from the magnesium, an enzyme in red wine called resveratrol is reputed to assist in cleaning clogged arteries of cholesterol. Red wine is a soporific and muscle relaxant to boot. Drink responsibly Sent from my SM-G610F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Have ordered some Magnesium Citrate to see if it makes any difference. I'll try that first, if no good, then the red wine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaos Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 THC oil will sort u out. Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted August 18, 2017 Author Share Posted August 18, 2017 1 hour ago, Xaos said: THC oil will sort u out. Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk Available at local pharmacies is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 No. And illegal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xaos Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 No. And illegal.Works wonders thoSent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 1 minute ago, Xaos said: Works wonders tho Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk If you don't have any sensible suggestions, go away. You have already been told that what you suggest is illegal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JusticeGB Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Try Norgesic it controls muscle spasms. You can buy them without prescription. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holymoly Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Maybe try electrolytes. Available from any pharmacy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 46 minutes ago, JusticeGB said: Try Norgesic it controls muscle spasms. You can buy them without prescription. No good if you have an enlarged prostate apparently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fore Man Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 I have had recurring fits with RLS and searched for a biochemical cause of it. I experienced the symptoms even when my serum potassium levels were slighly above normal, so I doubt that potassium was the culprit in my case. Then a month ago, I discovered that my Vitamin D level was abnormally low and had seen it steadily dropping over the past year. My doctor prescribed 10 x 20,000 IU tablets to be once taken every week until gone. I've now taken 4 pills in total over the past month and have definitely seen a decline in RLS. It still can come back to haunt me some nights, and I'm going to add magnesium supplementation to see if that could do the trick. Electrolytes need to be carefully balanced in the body, and if one is significantly off it could cause RLS symptoms. Some hospitals here offer a comprehensive vitamin and mineral test regime to isolate any problem areas. Perhaps the OP might want to look into such a procedure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fore Man Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 10 minutes ago, giddyup said: No good if you have an enlarged prostate apparently. Norgesic is also nephrotoxic...can impair kidney function. For some older persons, or those with existing kidney disease this could be an important consideration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombat Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 has anyone suggested the sleeping tablets are the cause of the restless leg syndrome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suradit69 Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 I've had RLS off and on and about a year ago I started having severe muscle spasms in legs and one arm. Saw a doctor at BPH, had an MRI and he put me on Lyrica. That seems to have solved the problem. I have since weaned myself off Lyrica and continue to be problem free. You should definitely see a doctor before trying Lyrica (or any medicine) and Lyrica does have some potential side-effects. FWIW, I have a friend who's a neurologist in the US. He has just RLS and takes Lyrica for that problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony125 Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 4 hours ago, giddyup said: If you don't have any sensible suggestions, go away. You have already been told that what you suggest is illegal. http://www.healthline.com/health/restless-leg-syndrome/treatments#overview1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 47 minutes ago, wombat said: has anyone suggested the sleeping tablets are the cause of the restless leg syndrome As I have already pointed out, the sleeping pills are only used when the RLS is so bad I can't get to sleep, and I don't use them every day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 34 minutes ago, Suradit69 said: I've had RLS off and on and about a year ago I started having severe muscle spasms in legs and one arm. Saw a doctor at BPH, had an MRI and he put me on Lyrica. That seems to have solved the problem. I have since weaned myself off Lyrica and continue to be problem free. You should definitely see a doctor before trying Lyrica (or any medicine) and Lyrica does have some potential side-effects. FWIW, I have a friend who's a neurologist in the US. He has just RLS and takes Lyrica for that problem. Wow! Lyrica certainly has some potential bad side effects, but I guess if the RLS condition gets bad enough you'll try anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 Thanks for all the suggestions, I'm going to try Magnesium Citrate and some electrolytes before I head into the dangerous drug territory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suradit69 Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Just now, giddyup said: Wow! Lyrica certainly has some potential bad side effects, but I guess if the RLS condition gets bad enough you'll try anything. Agree that there are some unpleasant potential side effects. I didn't take it when I just had the RLS, but only when I started having the more severe, painful muscle spasms with increased frequency. The only side effect I experienced was occasional slight feeling of loss of balance, but it did stop the spasms and the RLS, so for me it was worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bberrythailand Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 23 hours ago, Xaos said: THC oil will sort u out. Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk Pure weed also, but he needs to wait few years before it becomes legal pr move to Cambodia... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bberrythailand Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 5 hours ago, giddyup said: If you don't have any sensible suggestions, go away. You have already been told that what you suggest is illegal. How can you reply this way ? Stay with your problem ! and I wish you that they get worse !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 1 minute ago, bberrythailand said: Pure weed also, but he needs to wait few years before it becomes legal pr move to Cambodia... Plenty of places in the world where medical marijuana is legal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 Just now, bberrythailand said: How can you reply this way ? Stay with your problem ! and I wish you that they get worse !!! Because you are suggesting that I try something in Thailand that is illegal. If you don't understand that you are dumber than you sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamrock09 Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 I agree with the previous poster that this could be a Potassium deficiency. Bananas are a good source but I would also start to supplement with Magnesium as well. You can get Magnesium supplements easily from a pharmacy. Try citrate, carbonate or even chelate. Avoid magnesium oxide as it's a laxative. You will need about 1000 mg per day to begin with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giddyup Posted August 19, 2017 Author Share Posted August 19, 2017 8 minutes ago, shamrock09 said: I agree with the previous poster that this could be a Potassium deficiency. Bananas are a good source but I would also start to supplement with Magnesium as well. You can get Magnesium supplements easily from a pharmacy. Try citrate, carbonate or even chelate. Avoid magnesium oxide as it's a laxative. You will need about 1000 mg per day to begin with. Have already ordered Magnesium Citrate 250mg from iHerb, my usual supplier of vitamins and minerals. BTW, I eat plenty of bananas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamrock09 Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Iherb do a magnesium and potassium aspartate mix. Not much K but 250 mg of magnesium and a little taurine. "Now" foods are the producers. Not my favourite company but probably worth a try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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