Restless legs?

[milkshakable]

I did a search but couldn't find any info on the forums about restless legs. I'm not even sure that's what this is.

I'm on day 29 of my Whole30 (whoo!), but in the past couple of weeks I seem to have developed a weird thing where I can't help but move/flex my legs when I'm trying to sleep. I just get this weird feeling in them, like I HAVE to move or flex or stretch the muscle. It happens in my feet, calves, hips, and quads. Its really irritating! It makes it nearly impossible to fall asleep (I can't seem to go more than 45 seconds or so without moving SOMETHING). The only way I can sleep is by constantly jiggling my leg until I drift off ... then I seem okay.

I have NEVER had this before, and most of the online stuff I've found seems to first suggest less coffee, tabacco or alcohol. Well, I don't smoke, haven't drank in 29 days, and have really cut down my caffeine intake -- just one cup in the mornings now.

So what gives? Could this be some other deficiency? This is the only negative to come out of my Whole30, but to be honest, it's pretty significant. Sleep is important!

[GLC1968]

That's really interesting. I have RLS (restless legs syndrome) but have found it greatly diminished since starting my Whole30 so my experience is pretty much the opposite of yours.

Before I started my Whole30, I was actually having real trouble with it because I've been injured and unable to exercise much for the past 4 months. For me, consistent exercise greatly reduces the RLS symptoms. In fact, for years, I'd forgotten that i even had it because I was so active. As soon as I get into a more sedentary existence (we moved and I changed jobs), it crops up again.

So my thought is to make sure you are getting regular exercise. I did find that there was a tipping point though. TOO much exercise made it worse (for me, it would be really bad the night after a big race or long run).

Other than that, I'm not sure what else to suggest!

[thesusan]

I have been bothered by RLS for some time. I have found that using calcium-magnezium powder at night helps a lot. It was prescribed by my naturopath - but is not a prescription. I put 1 or 2 scoops in water about half an hour before bed. This is the kind I use:

http://www.amazon.com/Thorne-Research-Calcium-Magnesium-Citrate-Effervescent/dp/B0012ZN766/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1343082901&sr=8-2&keywords=calcium+magnesium+powder

[Tamra Wysocki-Niimi]

I have had RLS since childhood. A few months before my first Whole30 (about a year ago), I mentioned this to my neurologist and she did bloodwork and found that my iron was low. Low iron can supposedly cause RLS. I took iron supplements and did notice some improvement, but I didn't like the side effects (constipation and I felt cranky in general), so I stopped them. But when I started my Whole30, my RLS mostly went away with just a few bouts if I stay up too late and get overtired. It comes back a few weeks after I go off of a Whole30. I do also take a magnesium supplement before bed (Natural Calm original), which also seems to help (even if I'm not on a Whole30).

Your symptoms do sound like RLS. Maybe you have an iron deficiency or some other deficiency that is triggering the RLS? Are you eating lots of leafy greens and/or varying your veggies? Not sure what else could be the cause! Sorry -- I wish I could be more helpful!!

[milkshakable]

Thanks everyone. After some more reading, I'm thinking magnesium may be the culprit. I seem to have some of the other symptoms of magnesium deficiency as well (constipation, muscle weakness, occasional dizzyness), and I just went back and looked in It Starts With Food and see that magnesium is one of the supplements they're in favour while on a Whole30. So I just picked some up and will try that for awhile. Fingers crossed!

[CaseyD]

My RLS became worse after going paleo and then I was recommended magnesium for insomnia (which also didn't get better at first). It has seemed to help both, although I still have RLS happen after intense workout sessions.

[MaryP]

I also suffer from RLS and I found taking magnesium seems to help somewhat. I take chelated form (magnesium glycinate, 400mg before bed). But I still wake up at 2 am with legs that force me up and out of bed. Particularly if I haven't exercised during the day. I wish I could find a solution!!

It has seemed worse since I started the Whole30 also. Really dissapointed since I had hoped it would help my sleep. I also have high blood pressure - but with no other issues (I'm not overweight and don't have high blood sugar or cholesterol or anything) and I wonder if the two are related... am I just tense? I started doing some breathing exercises (the breathe easy system) and I am hoping it will help...

[PattiM]

I have never had this problem until this last week. I just can't stop moving because one part of my leg or another is uncomfortable. Not painful, it just feels weird. I've been analyzing my diet and I'm getting plenty of magnesium in my diet and I had to stop taking natural calm because I was having symptoms of too much. (if you've read the back of the Natural Calm bottle you'll know what I'm talking about 8-/)

[slpears]

My boyfriend and I are on day 21 and both experiencing the same issues. Restless legs almost every single night, particularly around bedtime and during the night, and worse on the days where we haven't gotten a work-out in.

His theory is that we have so much excess energy (from eating good food) that if we don't work out, it's kind of in there, wanting to get out. Thoughts?

I want to be feeling the magic, but we are both sleeping worse than ever --- waking up multiple times in the night. Our diet is filled with leafy greens. Why would a supplement be needed if we're eating the rainbow of veggies?

[superbb]

I definitely second the Iron comment. Mine got better after taking 50mg of Iron as well as calm drink at night. Yes, I was low in both of those when tested! Made a huge difference for me.