Limb Twitches at Night Disturb Sleep

[LeilaLambert]

I am a 59 year old female.  I get creepy-crawly twitches in my leg(s) many nights that awake me in the night and keep me awake.  Sometimes they move into an arm.   These started 27 years ago when I was first pregnant.  They are particularly bothersome in the heat.  They also are most noticeable during those phases of my life when I have been exercising regularly.  When they occur, walking can help but it can take a couple of hours to stop them.  Thinking I might have a version of Restless Legs Syndrome I tried tonic water, but that didn't help.   I find that taking aspirin in the form of Alka Seltzer when they start definitely helps, but now my gums bleed.  

I'd like to get to the underlying cause--is this a mineral imbalance, or something else?  I've brought this up to a couple of GPs, but they didn't offer much hope.  One sugggested that I might take a medicine used for Parkinsons, but I didn't want to go there.   What type of practitioner would you suggest I see? Suggestions for treatment?   I had a nice three month hiatus in the twitches when I retired, stopped exercising and caught up on my rest, but now I've started working out again and the twitches are back big time! I love to exercise and would hate to have to give it up in order to get a good night's rest.  Thanks for your help!

[396SS]

Not a doctor - but sure sounds kinda like restless leg syndrome in ways...just an idea.

Best of luck:)

[396SS]

Oops, you already mentioned that.  Sorry:(  But have you tried that restless leg medication yet?  Just wondering, because I heard it works for true restless leg sufferers:)

[pickle06]

I have Relapsing Remitting MS and have problems like this however, Im not saying you have MS. Massage Therapy at least bi-weekly helps a great deal - helps even more if its covered by a healthcare plan :) People have insisted yoga or stretching for longer periods of time would help  - everyone has their opinion and who knows if it'll work or not. So far, Im sticking with 1 hr massage treatments and my body is responding well. Until you get a diagnosis I guess you will just have to try things and hope for the best.
Best of Luck & Take Care
~ pickle

[theflyjd]

I have had several strokes and the first occurred in 1988. I have had restless leg since then. The Drs put me on all kinds of sleep aids including Ambien & Temazepam to name a few. None of the prescribed medications kept me from waking during the night IF I was able to get to sleep in the first place. I tried all of the over-the-counter sleep aids (Sominex and others) but they didn't work for me because there is a pain issue also. I tried Advil PM and Tylenol PM as well but continued waking in the middle of the night with headpain and leg shaking. About 6 years ago I started using 2 Excedrin PM at bedtime and the shaking stopped completely and I sleep through the night. You might try that. Hopefully, it will work as good for you.

[LeilaLambert]

Thank you all for your caring suggestions.  I have found that aspirin and other products with acetominophen like Excedrin helps a lot.  But it has side effects.  

I just saw the ad for the medication for restless legs, but haven't tried it yet--there are a host of seemingly unrelated side effects, so I'm waiting until it's been around a while.

[kidcoconut]

Hi,

Alka-Seltzer doesn't have Aspirin, I believe it Acetametaphin.

I get similar problems when I start working out. I'm 46, male. I've had a shoulder problem ( rotator cuff? ) for a while, tried resting, working out, never gets any better. The latest problem has been similar to yours. Mine is mainly fascilations in both arms. Started in left pinky ( twitching or tugging ) Then switched to right bicep. Now about a month later I've got it in both arms, fairly constant, but worse at rest. I can see the muscle fiber or nerve or whatever twitching, I even felt it fascialating in my back last night. ( I could stretch my hand and fingers apart very wide and that would cause a fasicllation in my mid back. ( crazy huh ? )

Today I'm going on a regimin that helped me in the past. Here it is for you to try if you like. I'm not a Doctor, so I would consult yours to see if this is o.k. for you.

1. Stay off computer ! ( computer makes my hands,neck, and back tighten up and hurt or twitch. Carpal tunnel too .)
2. Ultimate Enzymes. They are supposed to be good for inflamation (inflammation) and general well being. ( find in the Vitaminne Shoppe )
3. Banana a day for the potasium.
4. Magnesium suppliment, 500mg.
5. Vitamin B capsules. ( the mixed one's with all the B's )
6. Aspirin a day if the stomach tolerates it. ( instead of the A.Seltzer )
7. Glass of Milk a day for Calcium. ( same reason as mag, Pot., good for restless legs and they work together )

The Magnesium is the potentially most important for the restless legs, as a magnesium def. can cause that.The potatsium works with the magnesium. The Ultimate Enzymes I believe are generally good for what " ails ya ". If nothing else they help you digest the vitamins when taken together.

I also find that when I feel like this I feel BETTER while I'm working out, even if it makes it worse later. I think some of this may be psychological. ( focusing on it makes it worse. Not to say it's not there, but it does make it worse for me. ) That's why I think working out helps me. I strengthens the muscles and give me a reason why they're sore !, so less worry !

good luck to you !
Ken

[nik6966]

I was wondering if someone could tell me why my husband twitches so much about an hour after he goes to bed. If i dont go to bed first and fall asleep, it keeps me up. I had heard it is his nerves just settling from the days activity. Is there something he can do to calm the twitches before bed?

[Pid]

I have a similar problem to the people in the post. It is like restless leg syndrome, but affects me only while i am very tired, or in bed. I found that a magnesium supplement eradicated the problem after 1 dose! I take 1 300mg capsule a day, and the problem has completely disappeared. Hope this helps.