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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 30, 2019 17:10:16 GMT
Almost every night I wake up multiple times with incredibly achy legs. They feel so heavy in my bed that I think they must weigh 1000 pounds.
I don’t think my symptoms fit the criteria for restless legs: there is not a specific tingling sensation. It’s more of a dull ache and a heavy feeling, mostly in my calves. I get a lot of relief if something very heavy is pressed into my calves, and I often find myself slipping my legs under my husbands legs because the weight feels therapeutic.
When my kids were younger, I can remember laying in their bed reading at night, and sometimes asking them to sit on my legs because they were so achy.
After talking with my doctor about it several times, I eventually had an MRI, after quite a bit of sciatic nerve pain down my lower back pain into my hips. The doctor prescribed steroid injections, and I’ve had two of those in the last six months. Those provided a lot of relief from the sciatic pain, and I think because that relief helped me sleep better, I perhaps didn’t notice the achy pain in my lower legs.
I think the shot might be wearing off again, and I am feeling this achy pain again. Could this be restless leg syndrome? No amount of ibuprofen or Tylenol helps, the only thing that makes it better is if I apply very firm pressure to my legs, or just get up. It never hurts during the day, never hurts to walk or sit. It only happens when I am laying down in bed, or with my feet up on the couch for some time. It’s getting so aggravating and I would love some relief. Or at least the name of something that I can ask my primary care physician about.
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Post by ~summer~ on May 30, 2019 17:12:05 GMT
Have you tried elevating your feet with pillows at night? or wearing compression stockings?
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 30, 2019 17:30:34 GMT
Have you tried elevating your feet with pillows at night? or wearing compression stockings? Elevating helps, but not much. Haven’t tried socks, and I’m open to it, although I usually hate sleeping in socks. Do they work? |
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Post by crimsoncat05 on May 30, 2019 17:37:59 GMT
yes! I get a tired, heavy feeling in my legs quite often. I think it might be related to spider veins and circulation issues, but that's just my guess. I have spider veins around my ankles, and know that varicose veins are a hereditary thing. I haven't gone to a vein specialist yet, although my primary Dr. says a specialist would be best for some sort of a plan for treatment.
(I also carry around 50+ lbs extra weight, and I don't always wear supportive shoes- neither of those things help either, I'm sure. I can tell the 'heavy' feeling is worse when I've been wearing non-supportive shoes.)
ETA: my pain happens other times than just laying down in bed... so may not be the same as what you're experiencing.
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Post by cindyupnorth on May 30, 2019 17:41:45 GMT
Did they do lab work? what is your vit D levels?
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Post by Zee on May 30, 2019 17:42:12 GMT
Sometimes I get this after a long shift at work, especially if I wasn't moving around as much and had to sit in an uncomfortable chair. Wearing tight jeans seems to also do it. I hate the crawling, heavy feeling. What helps the most is a quick massage with icy hot before getting into bed, sometimes following a hot bath.
My circulation is good so I don't know what my problem is.
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 30, 2019 18:47:04 GMT
Did they do lab work? what is your vit D levels? Now that you mention it, my vit D levels have always been low. I'm not a big milk drinker, but I could take supplements. How does that affect it? |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927 
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Post by freebird on May 30, 2019 19:27:44 GMT
I bet you have varicose veins. I had mine lasered last year, my healthshare covered it.
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Post by tracyarts on May 30, 2019 19:36:52 GMT
I did. I was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency and had vein ablation procedures on both legs this past December. It has helped a lot with the heavy achey feeling. I still wear compression stockings if I'm going on a long car ride or will be at a desk or work table all day. But the procedures definitely got my circulation back to normal.
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Post by wrongwayfeldman on May 30, 2019 19:41:19 GMT
I bet you have varicose veins. I had mine lasered last year, my healthshare covered it. I do you have a few varicose veins, but they’re only on my outer upper thighs. They’re not really that noticeable, so could this really be the cause? |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on May 30, 2019 20:33:02 GMT
I bet you have varicose veins. I had mine lasered last year, my healthshare covered it. I do you have a few varicose veins, but they’re only on my outer upper thighs. They’re not really that noticeable, so could this really be the cause?
You couldn't see mine at all! They were failing anyway, and he said it wouldn't ever get better. Look for a vein clinic near you, they'll so a scan. Probably for cheap or even free.
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Post by cindyupnorth on May 30, 2019 23:07:01 GMT
Now that you mention it, my vit D levels have always been low. I'm not a big milk drinker, but I could take supplements. How does that affect it? I was having cramping in both my legs, and my legs felt heavy, fatigued every night. My vit D was very low. Once I got on vit D supplements that went away completely. Just Drinking milk does not keep your vit D levels up. It's esp common in winter season states/countries. It does take awhile to get your vit D level up though. Like 3 months. |
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Post by dewryce on May 30, 2019 23:18:25 GMT
Now that you mention it, my vit D levels have always been low. I'm not a big milk drinker, but I could take supplements. How does that affect it? I was having cramping in both my legs, and my legs felt heavy, fatigued every night. My vit D was very low. Once I got on vit D supplements that went away completely. Just Drinking milk does not keep your vit D levels up. It's esp common in winter season states/countries. It does take awhile to get your vit D level up though. Like 3 months. And take it with vitamin K. I don’t know what could be causing this, but if weight on your legs makes it feel better, you might try a weighted blanket. I’d buy a heavier one than they recommend for your weight and fold it in half, it seems you feel better with a LOT of weight on them based on your husband’s legs. A pea recommended this brand and I love mine. |
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Post by mom2samlibby on May 31, 2019 4:56:33 GMT
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Post by nlwilkins on May 31, 2019 5:40:10 GMT
I can't say why your legs are feeling this way, and there are a lot of suggestions mentioned above.BUT it doesn't sound like restless legs. I have restless leggs and the main evidence of it is the inability to keep your legs and feet still. Right now sitting in my recliner, my feet are rubbing each other constantly. I can not sleep at all without my medicine.
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