I used to have this feeling when I was a kid, and now it’s back. It wakes me up from sleep. It doesn’t exactly hurt, but it’s overwhelming and hard to describe.
I wrap my whole leg in a blanket from above the knee down to the ankle, applying more pressure above the knee and around the ankle. This seems to help me sleep, but I still feel some of it lingering when I wake up. I’m not sure what to do about it. Any advice?
Could it be restless leg syndrome?
Sounds like restless leg syndrome.
Definitely see a doctor. There are medications that can help, like gabapentin. It worked wonders for me.
Are you describing physical discomfort that wakes you up, or an actual desire to have your leg amputated? I just want to be sure I’m understanding what’s disturbing your sleep.
What kind of feeling are you experiencing?
You might want to consider seeing a doctor.
Sounds like it could be restless leg syndrome. I’ve found magnesium helps!
Bevan said:
Sounds like it could be restless leg syndrome. I’ve found magnesium helps!
Same here. Also, taking a walk after dinner seems to help.
Since you mentioned that pressure helps, maybe try using a small, heavy weighted blanket around your leg.
As others have suggested, definitely see a doctor to check for restless leg syndrome.
Out of curiosity, did you take any medication as a child and then stop? I ask because I’ve experienced something similar as a rare side effect of Adderall.
If it is restless leg syndrome, stretching before bed might help. Try doing some yoga and consider taking magnesium.
I had something like this happen in my arm, where I felt like I wanted to cut it off. I used to lie on it until the feeling went away. After a few times, I realized that ibuprofen helped, which made me think it might be due to inflammation.
It could be restless leg syndrome, but your title also made me think of body integrity identity disorder (where someone might feel like a healthy limb doesn’t belong to them). From your description, it sounds more physical than mental, and if it’s disturbing your sleep, my best guess would be restless leg syndrome.
Most importantly, go see a doctor!
Honestly, this sounds like restless leg syndrome, but have you considered the possibility of blood clots? I had a similar feeling once, and it was misdiagnosed as restless leg syndrome. It turned out to be blood clots caused by medication.
@Cleo
Can I ask what medication it was?
It was a hormonal contraceptive (the pill). I already had a blood condition that increased my risk of clotting, and the combination of that with the pill was missed by my healthcare provider. But blood clots can happen for many different reasons, not just medication.
I think I have something similar. My leg sometimes feels tingly and heavy, almost like it’s numb, but it doesn’t happen often.
Try using magnesium spray on your leg. It’s simple, but it works for me.
I used to get restless leg symptoms once in a while. I have Grave’s disease (hyperthyroid), and I know someone with Hashimoto’s (hypothyroid) who also gets restless legs.
I also had a parathyroid tumor that was removed, and right after the surgery, I had the worst restless leg attack ever. I haven’t had it since, so I wonder if there’s a connection with the thyroid, parathyroid, or calcium levels.
Honestly, if it’s that bad, just go ahead and do it.
Dr. House would be all over this case!