bilateral leg pain and feeling to stretch legs

[Dianegi1]

I have fibromyalgia, degenerative back disease and interstitial cystitis. For the past year, I've had pain and a feeling to stretch my legs which my doctor diagnosed as restless leg. I was treated with neurontin and ultram and the feeling went away for a couple of months. It's now back with a vengence and nothing is helping. Sometimes walking helps, but not always. I'm at a loss as to what this is and the doctors seem to be also. I really need help for this. If anyone has any ideas, etc. please let me know. I'm pretty desperate. Thanks.


This discussion is related to Intermittent bilateral leg pain.

[Dianegi1]

Yes, it was my pain management doctor that diagnosed me. I thought restless legs was something you mainly had at night and didn't involve pain. I'm not sure if they've checked my potassium level, but will ask them to. I'm also going to get some tonic water and look into restless legs by Hylands. I really appreciate you responding to my post. I'm pretty desperate and in pain all the time. They haven't said it was a side effect of any of my meds. I wasn't sure if it was from my back, but will definately try the things you mentioned. Thanks again!

[mellie4]

Have they checked your potassium level?  If it's low, it can cause restless legs.  Try drinking tonic water (with quinine ... most of them come with it.)  That helps restless legs.  Also, eating bananas can help as well.  There is also a product put out by Hylands called Restful Legs.  A lot of people swear by it.  My dad had a terrible time with it for a while and he did the tonic water and it worked for him most of the time.  He also has used Restful Legs and said that helped as well.

I was ill over the summer and wound up in the hospital.  I was having terrible restless legs and my blood work showed my potassium was low.  They gave me potassium and also gave me a prescription for it for a few days while I was home.  I could tell after taking my first dose that it was working.  For me, the low potassium went along with my illness.  I didn't have it once I finished the prescription.

Of course, I'm sure you'd like to find out why this is happening.  Which doctor diagnosed you with the restless legs?  If it were me, I think I'd mention it to both my primary care and my pain management doctor.  Could it be a side effect of any of the medications you take?