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For the last couple of weeks I have been experiencing a lot of discomfort in my calves when I try to sleep. My calves are feeling really tight and the feeling of discomfort goes all the way to my toes. It sounds really stupid but the it is like my legs are feeling trapped and claustrophobic... Dumb I know!
After a poke about on the internet to me it sounds a lot like the symptoms of restless leg syndrome but it doesn't seem to be getting any better despite trying lots of the remedies including: massage, remaining caffeine free, stretching, exercise etc...
Does anyone have any ideas? This is driving me up the wall. I could literally hack my bloody legs off at the knees recently.
Not dumb if it is restless leg syndrome. I suffered for years with it. Can keep you wake for hours and you think you will go mad if you don't move your leg. I finally went to a doctor about it 2 years ago. He prescribed my a drug for Parkinsons disease called Sifrol ER. It is the only thing that works for me. I tried everything. Look it up its quite common for restless leg. Every few months I stop taking the tablet to see if I may be cured but after night to my legs, thighs for me fell crazy again. It's a nervous system illness and normally gets worse over the years. I started to feel it at 28 I'm now 48. Get it seen to as it can drive you mad with lack of sleep.
Excuse my spelling.
No worries caffeine. Thanks for your input - I appreciate it!
I had episodes of something that sounds similar as a child. My grandmother used to prop a couple of pillows under my legs to elevate them. Not a cure, but it did help me sleep. Can't hurt to try.
Yup keep trying things that could relieve it. Wondering if the feeling in calves subsides as soon as you get up from bed to move around? That would drive me mad. Instant relief but cant sleep standing up.
Its a hard one to diagnose and doctors can't really test for it. It is just what you tell them and how long you have had symptoms. Its all to do with dopamine levels in the brain.
Hope it is not the dreaded restless leg syndrome you have although it can easily be treated but that comes with a nightly pill. Good luck and I hope you start sleeping better soon man.
Bump
It's not cramp then? Try standing on a cold tiled floor.
Tonic water or bitter lemon, either when you have an attack or before bed.
Both my brother and me suffered from restless leg syndrome. Manage it now by taking Ginko Biloba tablets, one a day. They're available from online health places.
Doesn't cure it but stays away as long as we keep taking the pills.
RLS - arrrrrrr
It used to be a lot worse for me, but in general I am OK now.
Saying that it has been worse these last few months.
I too was prescribed Sifrol, but ran a mile at that idea & went DIY.
I think for me the fix has been cafeine free.
I find wearing shorts all day helps. Sounds daft but if I get hot legs they are a lot worse. So sticking your legs out of the bed helps.
Sometimes just getting up, having a bowel of cereal, waiting 30 mins & back to bed helps for me.
When they have been bad my wife has said it looks like I am playing football in my sleep - if I am asleep that is.
It's not cramp then? Try standing on a cold tiled floor.
Ha ha I remember my dad making me do this when I was a kid. Can't remember if it actually worked or not though.
Thanks all. It's definitely not cramp - I used to suffer with that as a teenager and that was awful!
It still works for me, though I'm a long way from being a teenager. It seemed worth suggesting.
Go to your GP. Even if it is [i]only[/i] RLS, that can be a symptom of lots of things which are not nice.
Good luck.
Thanks again all - I will go to the GP too.
I use a foam roller and sometimes take Taurine and have used compression skins
I ride everyday which I think doesn't help.Muscles like to have a bit of recovery time....
Sure you not overdoing it ?
Oh I am sure - it's come on more seriously since I've been on holiday. I think I may need to do a greater variety of exercise again. I think the foam roller will be coming out again too (ouch!).