Muscle/nerve spasms are keeping me awake.

[ujayujay]

Magnesium was helping me..its worth a try.

[bazza73]

OP,  have you tried massage ( legitimate )?

I used to have severe leg cramps for years. Quinine would keep them at bay, but I didn't like having to take it.

I have 2 - 3 one-hour massages a week. I haven't had a leg cramp or taken a quinine tablet for about six years now.

[giddyup]

5 minutes ago, shamrock09 said:

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.

 

 

Have the Country Life brand from iHerb on the way already.

[giddyup]

1 minute ago, bazza73 said:

OP,  have you tried massage ( legitimate )?

I used to have severe leg cramps for years. Quinine would keep them at bay, but I didn't like having to take it.

I have 2 - 3 one-hour massages a week. I haven't had a leg cramp or taken a quinine tablet for about six years now.

Cramps are something different than RLS.

[bazza73]

1 minute ago, giddyup said:

Cramps are something different than RLS.

True enough; however, they are both related to the nervous system. But if you don't want to try an alternative suggestion, that's your business.

[giddyup]

2 minutes ago, bazza73 said:

True enough; however, they are both related to the nervous system. But if you don't want to try an alternative suggestion, that's your business.

I thought cramps were usually related to the muscles, but RLS is definitely related to the nervous system. There have been plenty of suggestions, I just have to decide which ones to try first, and as it stands it's Magnesium Citrate.

[bazza73]

1 minute ago, giddyup said:

I thought cramps were usually related to the muscles, but RLS is definitely related to the nervous system. There have been plenty of suggestions, I just have to decide which ones to try first, and as it stands it's Magnesium Citrate.

Cramps are caused by the muscles getting a flood of messages from the nerves. Magnesium is supposed to help; however, I never got any significant relief from magnesium supplements. That's not to say it won't help you, everyone's physiology is different.

Massage does other things, such as lowering blood pressure. It's not for everyone, some people react badly. However,  I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a massage junkie.

 

[ThaiWai]

I had RLS. Took magnesium 200mg daily for a while for plantar facitis and as a side effect the RLS went away. 

[tryasimight]

Go and see a proper doctor.....or listen to the people on an internet forum. Your choice.

 

I got quite sick many years ago by taking too much of one vitamin supplement. As the doctor told me the actual vitamin will not cause harm but it can impede the take up of other essential vitamins. Which is exactly what happened.

I no longer self medicate based on fads.....I go to a doctor and use science.

[Pinot]

I think you're on the right track with magnesium and an electrolytes sport drink. 

 

You might also want to do some research on gabapentin. I take it for arthritic pain (highly effective) but I can see it being used for RLS as well. 

 

If you have a bathtub a soak in epsom salts bath before bed (a way of taking magnesium) may also help. 

[faraday]

3 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Go and see a proper doctor.....or listen to the people on an internet forum. Your choice.

 

I got quite sick many years ago by taking too much of one vitamin supplement. As the doctor told me the actual vitamin will not cause harm but it can impede the take up of other essential vitamins. Which is exactly what happened.

I no longer self medicate based on fads.....I go to a doctor and use science.

Or perhaps educate oneself, by posting ones problem & reading the replies.

There are several clinicians on here, Sheryl being one.

 

[tryasimight]

1 minute ago, faraday said:

Or perhaps educate oneself, by posting ones problem & reading the replies.

There are several clinicians on here, Sheryl being one.

 

Yes I saw Sheryl's question....still no response to it so far.

 

I educated myself quite well in engineering thank you.

If I have a problem outside of my area of expertise the I seek  the advice of another suitably qualified person in their field of expertise. For medical issues I see a doctor.

If it was a metaphysical issue such as I am having a problem with astral projection I would happily consult with quacks or even post on an internet forum such as this.

Do you have a problem with this approach?

[windas]

I've  suffered with RLS at night (and sometimes in the day) for 36 yrs but haven’t yet found a reliable relief and it seems to be worsening. Keeping the legs as cool as possible seems to help.

Recently I started to take Ibuprofen & Paracetamol together for something else, and found that if I took them when RLS kept me awake it would relieve RLS considerably,  enough to be able to go to sleep.

[giddyup]

54 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

Go and see a proper doctor.....or listen to the people on an internet forum. Your choice.

 

I got quite sick many years ago by taking too much of one vitamin supplement. As the doctor told me the actual vitamin will not cause harm but it can impede the take up of other essential vitamins. Which is exactly what happened.

I no longer self medicate based on fads.....I go to a doctor and use science.

Most Thai doctors have no idea about RLS, the two I've seen both prescribed sleeping pills. So much for science.

[tryasimight]

42 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Most Thai doctors have no idea about RLS, the two I've seen both prescribed sleeping pills. So much for science.

If a medical problem became an issue for me I would  not hesitate to seek opinion from elsewhere if I was not satisfied with opinion of the local doctor. Singapore isn't that far away...or australia/nz for that matter.

We all have choices.

 

Maybe try a few beers instead of sleeping pills before bed. Worked for centuries to get people to sleep. 

[faraday]

1 hour ago, tryasimight said:

Yes I saw Sheryl's question....still no response to it so far.

 

I educated myself quite well in engineering thank you.

If I have a problem outside of my area of expertise the I seek  the advice of another suitably qualified person in their field of expertise. For medical issues I see a doctor.

If it was a metaphysical issue such as I am having a problem with astral projection I would happily consult with quacks or even post on an internet forum such as this.

Do you have a problem with this approach?

Bit of an aggressive reply.

Best stop now, ok ?

[tryasimight]

I'm sure there are supplements for your paranoia.

Not agressive at all in my opinion

[faraday]

2 minutes ago, tryasimight said:

I'm sure there are supplements for your paranoia.

Not agressive at all in my opinion

Noblesse oblige.

[tryasimight]

5 minutes ago, faraday said:

Noblesse oblige.

I can assure you I am not nob less.

I can provide affidavits of satisfaction if required - as long as you can understand bargirl Thainglish.

 

And yes I did study latin in the days of Grammar Schools...thank you for asking

Edited August 19, 2017 by tryasimight

[giddyup]

1 hour ago, tryasimight said:

If a medical problem became an issue for me I would  not hesitate to seek opinion from elsewhere if I was not satisfied with opinion of the local doctor. Singapore isn't that far away...or australia/nz for that matter.

We all have choices.

 

Maybe try a few beers instead of sleeping pills before bed. Worked for centuries to get people to sleep. 

I'll try something other than alcohol thanks.

[tryasimight]

Just now, giddyup said:

I'll try something other than alcohol thanks.

Like me....you make your choices..hope whatever you choose works for you.

[MyFriend You]

On 8/17/2017 at 3:45 PM, dddave said:

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.

I agree on the Banana a day, I eat them regularly no more spasm at night.  Including a full glass of water before bed.

[rhodie]

35 minutes ago, TunnelRat69 said:

I agree on the Banana a day, I eat them regularly no more spasm at night.  Including a full glass of water before bed.

Give the water a try. A glass or 2 before bed. Nothing to lose and it does work.

[Enigmatist]

Beer does not help RLS. Getting to sleep is a separate issue. Stopping RLS entirely different. AND I did not suggest getting drink. 1 or 2 glasses of red at the most depending on magnesium need.

Sent from my SM-G610F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[swissie]

Have been suffering from a mild form of RLS for the last 40 years (not keeping me from eventually falling asleep).

Still, I would like to know what causes it.

A mild form of RLS can not possibly be life-threathening, I am living proof of it

I am hopeful that Sheryl soon will step in, lifting the fog as far as this is concerned.

Over the last 40 years, I have always found a "Quantum of Solace" in the fact, that it could be much worse, if I would be suffering from RPS (Restless Penis Syndrome).
Cheers.

[MadMuhammad]

At the risk of adding yet another suggestion to the already long list. 

My suggestion is only in the case of nothing else working or when you're having a particular bad time. 

3 years ago I had a horrific motorcycle accident that resulted in, among a many other injuries, a Brachial Plexus Injury. The severed/crushed nerves caused massive amounts of muscle spasm and nerve twinges. I used an anti epilepsy drug called Catapres 50mg daily, made a big difference.

Obviously it's something you'd need to investigate personally and see a doctor but I'm just suggesting another option if it becomes any more life affecting.

[neeray]

Traditional Thai Yoga treatment, one session a week, cured a ciatic nerve problem for me that was in both hips. Like you, I used to wake up 20 times a night rolling from one side to the other. 

That was 5 years ago. The problem never returned. And I had the treatment in Canada, where it costs much more than in Thailand, by a Thai specialist. 

Give it a try. 

 

[madusa]

When you said "Spasm" you mean Cramp? Muscle Cramp. If it is muscle cramp I had this problem a year ago and I manage to stop it. I used to be awaken in middle of the night due to this terrible pain in the calf muscle due to muscle cramp.

I took calcium and magnesium and also potassium but none of these help at all. Finally I google "Buteyko breathing exercise" that really helps. It amazes me that simple breathing exercise help tremendously I wasted my money on all the magnesium and potassium. 

Of course at first I was skeptical but I was desperate so I tried everything even if it didn't seem to make sense. 

I breath out into a paper bag so the carbon dioxide is breath back in again. It's like an air sickness paper bag. But I try not to breath in too much oxygen that means I breath in lightly but breath in the carbon dioxide in the bag. I don't know if you understand this theory. Anyway if you google "Buteyko breathing exercise" you will understand. 

In less than a minute I could feel my calf muscle loosen and the tickle sensation when the muscle vibrates and the cramp is gone.

Of course I do make sure I take enough calcium, potassium and magnesium but in my case I don't need too much of them.

Don't forget to keep your leg warm when you sleep, wear socks in bed. You may or you may not benefit from this simple exercise I don't know, but if you do please let me know. My e-mail address : [email protected]

It's ok to leave my e-mail address I don't have important things for them to steal, not even informations. Just everyday nonsense chatting on e-mail.

[Enigmatist]

Cramps are not related to RLS. I get bad cramps that really wake me up sometimes too. For me it usually happens from salt consumption reduction and not drinking enough water. Drink more water during he day and stay hydrated, and have something salty (crisps, peanuts, soy sauce, bacon, ham etc) especially if you sweated a lot that day.

Sent from my SM-G610F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[giddyup]

4 minutes ago, madusa said:

When you said "Spasm" you mean Cramp? Muscle Cramp. If it is muscle cramp I had this problem a year ago and I manage to stop it. I used to be awaken in middle of the night due

No, a spasm is like an electric shock that jerks you awake, nothing like a cramp, which usually has some pain associated with it.