I started with the symptoms around 5 years ago and I'm assuming it's when I started working from home and started to pile on the pounds, as it has been better of late since I lost a few. Pounds I mean...not legs...that's a bit drastic although at times I would happily have had mine chopped off!
My restless leg is not a pain. It doesn't hurt like a cut or a broken leg. It is an irritation. Imagine having 100 ants crawling over you and you cant get them off. Sounds dramatic but it can be that bad. I watched a program a few weeks back where a man trapped his feet in the door repeatedly so he could get the pain to relieve the restless leg symptoms.
Sounds bonkers but I totally get it and I'm sad to say have tried it myself.
Restless legs can sometimes be accompanied by other disorders or can be there without really having a primary cause. My doctor prescribes muscle relaxant which in all honesty I don't like to take.
My symptoms
- A vibration under my feet, legs arms and hands. Doesn't just stay in the legs unfortunately
- Spasm's. I have kicked my husband in the head before. Accidently of course. Could have been a stunt double for Jackie Chan although I look nothing like him.
- A persistent need to walk about, stretch or fidget. I fidget alot.
- Cannot lie still in bed
What triggers it?
It is hard to say but most of the time its through over exercising, or lack of exercising. I know sounds contradictory, but it is as if it needs a balance. Stess and being tense. Driving for long periods get me twitching also. Heat & insomnia.
How I suppress it
- Ice pads or legs. Hands
- Keeping cool and watching my body temperature helps
- Binding my legs together (My husband has to wrap his legs around mine sometimes to stop the twitching as pressure can help- strangely!)
- Going to bed when tired
- Good posture- Aching bones and restless leg is not a good combination!
- Lying down on a cool leather sofa
- Do not exercise to extreme or sit for too long
- Attempt to control my diet
It is hard because I had to explain over and over to my husband why I get out of bed in the night. It was hard to not take it personally at first but luckily he understands now and has bought me various pillows and ice packs to help.
If you have this terrible condition I feel for you as it's bloody hard to explain!
