Restless legs worse with exercise
July 14, 2010 1:41 AM Subscribe
Exercise has made my Restless Leg Syndrome worse. Added extra 12 hour time zone shift.
Recently my restless leg syndrome has gotten out of control and I see a direct link between going for a long bike ride or walk the day before a night of discomfort. I've just gotten back into exercise again. My legs are driving me nuts. To add to my dilemma I recently moved to a new time zone. I've been here for a few weeks but the 12 hour time shift feels like it's mucked me about a bit. I'm worried my body is prone to insomnia at this point if I don't do something.
Aside from slowing down on the exercise does anyone have any suggestions for simple things I can do at home to curtail this before it becomes a regular issue? (The doctor will be my next port of call if I can't manage this on my own in the next week so no need to give that advice thanks.)
Recently my restless leg syndrome has gotten out of control and I see a direct link between going for a long bike ride or walk the day before a night of discomfort. I've just gotten back into exercise again. My legs are driving me nuts. To add to my dilemma I recently moved to a new time zone. I've been here for a few weeks but the 12 hour time shift feels like it's mucked me about a bit. I'm worried my body is prone to insomnia at this point if I don't do something.
Aside from slowing down on the exercise does anyone have any suggestions for simple things I can do at home to curtail this before it becomes a regular issue? (The doctor will be my next port of call if I can't manage this on my own in the next week so no need to give that advice thanks.)
Aside from slowing down on the exercise does anyone have any suggestions for simple things I can do at home to curtail this before it becomes a regular issue?
I've had the same problem (although my restless leg goes away if I don't exercise at all, so YMMV) and I found it was alleviated by a hot soak in a hot tub/bathtub.
I found that my muscles relaxed significantly with about 15 minutes of soaking in heat just after the exercise is performed (although for me, I exercise about an hour before bed, so the heat also zonks me out a bit anyways) and allows me to have restful sleep. Good luck!
posted by Hiker at 5:20 AM on July 14, 2010
I've had the same problem (although my restless leg goes away if I don't exercise at all, so YMMV) and I found it was alleviated by a hot soak in a hot tub/bathtub.
I found that my muscles relaxed significantly with about 15 minutes of soaking in heat just after the exercise is performed (although for me, I exercise about an hour before bed, so the heat also zonks me out a bit anyways) and allows me to have restful sleep. Good luck!
posted by Hiker at 5:20 AM on July 14, 2010
IANAD, but I do have both RLS (creepy crawlies while going to sleep) and PLMS (periodic limb movement, kicking and twitching while asleep) and was told by a sleep specialist to make sure my serum iron was always not just within normal, but higher than the end of normal (women are supposed to have 50 to 170 µg/dL, I am supposed to keep mine above 55). I also take magnesium for a number of things and I find that it helps.
posted by sarahkeebs at 5:23 AM on July 14, 2010
posted by sarahkeebs at 5:23 AM on July 14, 2010
Think about potassium and D3 supplements. Many people are D3 deficient without knowing it, and it does contribute to muscle efficiency. I used to get leg cramps every time I went to Phoenix, but now that I'm taking the supplements it seems to have alleviated.
posted by answergrape at 7:32 AM on July 14, 2010
posted by answergrape at 7:32 AM on July 14, 2010
THIS REALLY WORKS! I take Calcium, Magnesium and Zinc...by Nature's bounty (plus extra D) all one pill. Take one three times a day with meals for about a week then taper off.
My Doctor recommended this and it's one of the most unbelievable fixes of all time. No more leg cramps!
Honestly everyone I told that's tried this is astonished by how well it works.
posted by AuntieRuth at 8:10 AM on July 14, 2010
My Doctor recommended this and it's one of the most unbelievable fixes of all time. No more leg cramps!
Honestly everyone I told that's tried this is astonished by how well it works.
posted by AuntieRuth at 8:10 AM on July 14, 2010
I second Auntie Ruth for calcium, magnesium, zinc ... I take 3 tablets daily (two in A.M. and one in P.M.) and it makes a world of difference. Been doing this for a number of years, and when I run out or miss for some reason, I pay for it severely in RLS symptoms ...
Adjust levels as needed ... I find three a day works best for me, YMMV
posted by batikrose at 8:27 AM on July 14, 2010
Adjust levels as needed ... I find three a day works best for me, YMMV
posted by batikrose at 8:27 AM on July 14, 2010
I've had positive results from the relaxing stretchy kind of exercise like pilates. Probably anything that reduces tension would help?
posted by curious_yellow at 9:11 AM on July 14, 2010
posted by curious_yellow at 9:11 AM on July 14, 2010
Ibuprofon is the only thing that works for me.
posted by DieHipsterDie at 10:10 AM on July 14, 2010
posted by DieHipsterDie at 10:10 AM on July 14, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
but my i stopped kicking in my sleep when i started taking zinc tablets
one anecdote doesn't make a study, but it might provide some googlable search words.
posted by compound eye at 3:26 AM on July 14, 2010