Does anyone have any experience or advice to offer? I realized three months ago I had insomnia (waking 5 to 10 times a night, actually not going into deep sleep for hours – resulting in usually a total of 4 or 5 hours sleep a night). Then I realized I also had restless leg syndrome (aching weird feeling in legs, with some leg, arm & shoulder muscle twitches) during the night – I’m not sure which came first or if one is the result of the other. I started taking a magnesium + zinc supplement, and my sleep has improved a little, more deep sleep but still lots of waking. However.........my legs are worse. Sometimes (3 out of 4 days) they ache all day and night. I exercise daily (treadmill power walking but only 20 mins, and resistance training) and eat well so little to improve in those areas.

Its really the sore legs night and day that are really starting to p#iss me off the most………any suggestions? Really been putting off going to the doc as its just feels so 'non specific', not something they can just say here do this it will fix it IYKWIM.

Low iron can cause restless legs. Perhaps get your iron levels checked ?

Go see your doctor, I think there are lots of things that can cause it. I have a hormone imbalance which I am still trying to sort out but one of the issues for me is heavy aching legs and inability to fall asleep due to the aching legs. At my worst point I felt so tired that it was an effort to get my aching body off the couch etc.

The meds the GP gave me for my hormone imbalance did help with the achy legs somewhat byt not completely. I need to go back as we are at the point where we need to try something else (probably going back on the pill to regulate my hormones completely - haven't been on one for 10 years now).

Maybe try taking magnesium and calcium supplement, as opposed to the one you're already taking. There is a really good one that Solgar do, and you need to take both at the same time to really help 'restless legs'.

I used to take 3 about 30 minute before going to bed, and after about a week or so, it really helped.

But you do need both.

Much love to you, and I hope you sort it soon.... I do agree with everyone else though, maybe go to the Drs and get your bloods done.

I easily get my RDI in calcium daily (at least 5 serves) - are you suggesting more is needed taken with the magnesium? I usually take it with a hot milky cocoa as well.

I've never had low iron, but I do have a genetic blood disorder in which my red cells break down quicker / easier, and I'm wondering if this is causing an 'absorption' issue (iron, magnesium and who knows what else). Its not something most doc's know anything about.

I do need to get the doc's sometime mid Feb - so will probably stop all supplements early Feb so any blood tests aren't misleading. I will also ask re hormones.

Thanks everyone

tonic water ( without the gin )

Yes, you need to take the calcium and magnesium together, the same capsule at the same time.

I was thinking about your post throughout the day. Have you tried cranio sacral therapy, thats amazing to help your body sort itself and could really help you with sleeping.

Also, do you go swimming or do some other low impact cardio exercise, that might help in the short term.

I think you need to find the cause of the problem, but just thinking out loud really as solutions to the symptoms if you like.

I do think cranio sacral therapy would be a massive help though. Much love and best of luck.

I know when it has happened to me (was bad last pregnancy) I would get out of bed or stay in bed and just bend my legs or arms back and forth until the muscles ached as it seemed to relax them and massage the muscles too - then the twitchiness would ease enough so I could get back to sleep.

BLACKMORES Magmin is one of the few tablets that fix my restless leg syndrome and I have tryed many