About the Author – This “Health Update” was written by John J. Mast, M.D., C.M.D., associate medical director, Masonic Village at Elizabethtown
Nighttime leg pain is a common ailment with many causes. One thing’s for certain: it is an annoying pain that can keep people from sleeping at night.
Many people have trouble describing the pain. Some experience it as a cramping, while others describe it as tingling, crawling, pulling, electric shock, aching, burning or tugging. People experience this discomfort after not moving around for a long period of time, such as in a car, a lengthy meeting, a movie theater and especially in bed at night. Individuals with this discomfort have an irresistible urge to move their legs, which can alleviate the symptoms. This condition is known as restless leg syndrome (RLS).
If leg cramps are not associated with an irresistible urge to move the legs, it might not be RLS. Instead, it could be leg cramps caused by fatigue, peripheral arterial disease or an imbalance of electrolytes (calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium). Pinched nerves can be another cause of leg cramping (sciatica or spinal stenosis). Some cholesterol lowering pills can result in leg pain, too. Be sure to talk with your medical provider to get to the root of the problem.
Caffeine, tobacco and alcohol can intensify RLS. Avoiding all caffeine (coffee, tea, soda and chocolate) for a few weeks can help some people.
Home remedies aimed at preventing leg cramps may work for some people. Putting an unwrapped bar of soap under the fitted sheet on your bed by your feet may bring some relief, although doctors are not certain why this method is effective. Stretching your leg muscles can help. Try flexing your foot toward your head before sleeping at night. Untucking the bed covers at the foot of your bed or elevating your legs on a pillow may alleviate discomfort.
Medications can alleviate RLS symptoms. Ropinirole, pramipexole and carbidopa/levodopa are some of the most common medicines used for RLS. Side effects of these medicines might include nausea, light-headedness and fatigue. Narcotic pain medicine can also help. Tranquilizers and sleeping pills can aid people with RLS in sleeping better, but unfortunately, may cause confusion and increase the risk of falls and fractures. Neurontin is an anti-seizure medication which some doctors prescribe for RLS. It will likely take some trials and adjustments to see an improvement in your symptoms.
If you have symptoms which seem like RLS, schedule a visit with your health care provider just to focus on these symptoms, so you can receive the attention you deserve. The affliction of RLS does have solutions.
