Restless Leg Syndrome caused by barn work?

[katie_tru]

Sorry ahead of time if this is considered too off topic for any of the boards, but it seems to be related to barn work… and it’s a health issue, so this board seemed fitting.

Anywho. This time last year I started having RLS symtoms in my arms. I was getting internal sensations in both arms as I was dozing off/half asleep. It was enough to wake me up and keep me awake for a bit. The sensation is hard to describe, but my doctor said it definitely sounded like what people experience with RLS. I was feeling a strong urge to stretch my arms, shrug a lot, shake my arms, etc. Nothing made it stop or minimized it… stretching my arms up, folding them, laying on them. Eventually I fall asleep.

It didn’t happen quite every single night, but often enough that it was really irritating. It started in May and stopped in June. It kicked in again last night. :mad:

I tried the whole eating more potassium thing last year because I thought maybe it was some kind of cramps. Didn’t really help. I am now thinking it has something to do with the amount of barn work I’m doing and the muscle I’m building. I’ve been working my butt off at the barn since I got done with school at the end of April. I clean stalls, lunge horses, ride, etc. 3-4 times a week. My upper arms have gotten noticably bigger. They are never sore though, as I had maintained some muscle tone before. Last night, when I was getting the sensations again I hadn’t been to the barn in two days. I am wondering if the feelings are caused by not using those muscles. I was at the barn today so I’ll have to see what happens tonight…

Does anyone else experience this? Or have actual RLS? My doctor said the only treatment he could offer me would basically be a low dose of Parkinson’s medication. Is there anything a bit, uhh… more gentle that I could use temporarily to relieve the sensations? He is also an osteopath and checked my neck and spine for anything out of whack that would cause issues. He also checked for unexplained numbness or anything else that would cause weird neuro stuff. Nothing. I’m in no pain during the day, but it can be extremely uncomfortable at night.

[mswillie]

There is some anecdotal information that folic acid may help with RLS. In moderate doses it won’t hurt.

[crackerjack]

How much caffeine do you have during the day? Cut all of it out. I find also that if my back is tired (I’ve got lower back issues) I’m more likely to get RLS at night. But the big culprit for me is caffeine.

[MelantheLLC]

Some of the main nerves that go down to your arms and hands cross over your collarbone. They can be stretched and irritated there, and/or “pinched” between muscle and bone, which can cause weird unpleasant sensations. It’s called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. It can be caused by compression of nerves or blood vessels in the area between the base of the neck and the armpit, and it can be caused by muscle development, such as weight-lifting.

Many years ago, due to carpal tunnel, I had EMG tests (electrodes on my skin like for electro-cardiograms) that indicated not only had I lost sensation from nerve compression in the wrists, but also from this nerve stretching across the collarbone. For me, it’s a kind of inner buzzy feel, but it varies with the individual. The electrical tests showed that I had a lot more numbness than the office tests had indicated.

You might want to get a second opinion from a specialist. It could well have to do with muscle development and posture in your upper torso, and barn work. Before going on heavy-duty meds, you might want to delve deeper into the neurological/orthopedic possibilities. There are a lot of different kinds of doctors who diagnose and treat TOS, from neurologists to thoracic surgeons.

The main treatment for TOS is physical therapy. In severe cases possibly surgery to release the compression.

Perhaps worth looking into, if the problem continues.

[Fillabeana]

Caffeine and MSG. And MSG. And also, often, MSG.

MSG is in soooooo many things, and is often hidden by calling it, Natural Flavor (not always msg, tho), Autolyzed Yeast Extract (they take yeast and process it into MSG), Hydrolyzed Vegetable (or corn, or wheat, or soy) Protein (again, protein processed to isolate the amino acid glutamate).
They add msg pretty much as standard to any box-assisted dinner, ramen to rice-a-roni to hamburger helper. Also in almost all chicken broth (even the ones that say no msg, they have hydrolyzed veg protein), and always in any flavored chips, tortilla or potato. The plain chips are fine. It is about always in salad dressings, and anything you could buy in the store that is not supposed to be sweet.

I can tell you by tasting something if it has msg in it, since I avoid it like the plague (it gives me a hellish barfing migraine). Things ‘boosted’ with msg taste a bit tingly to me.

These proteins (glutamate) are also available in foods perfectly wholesome, like aged cheeses (parmesan, especially), ‘real’ smoked salmon, any aged proteins.

I have fibromyalgia, so I’ve actually tried the parkinsons drugs- they help you sleep but can give you gambling problems. No kidding. The other helpful drug class is a controlled substance, valium or klonopin usually help. I don’t often get the restless-legs anymore. My husband doesn’t have fibro, but he always gets restless-legs (like he HAS to move his legs, or his arms) when he eats msg. He likes ranch dressing, so eats it now and then- he will be extra pain-sensitive and have restless legs later, but it wears off after 8 or 10 hours. If he’s had caffeine, it is worse.

It shouldn’t be any surprise that msg would cause pain sensitivity or a neurological over-stimulation, it is designed as a neurostimulant. Of course, they want your taste buds to over-react to something mediocre, but msg is not specific enough to sensitize your tongue and not your whole neurological system.

[Pcostx]

I have RLS, I’ve not noticed barn work or lack of it making a difference, what DID make a difference for me was taking an iron supplement.

I have chronic anemia and once I started religiously taking iron the RLS issues disappeared!

Here’s info. I found on the web about RLS, don’t know if it pertains to you arm issues:

Treatments for Restless Legs Syndrome

There are no cures for primary restless legs syndrome, or RLS, although various treatments often can help relieve symptoms. Treatment for secondary restless legs syndrome (RLS caused by an underlying medical problem) involves treating the underlying cause.

The First Step in Treating Restless Legs Syndrome

The first line of defense against restless legs syndrome is to avoid substances or foods that may be causing or worsening the problem. Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. This may partly relieve your symptoms. In addition, review all medications you are taking with your doctor to determine if any of these drugs could be causing the problem.

Any underlying medical conditions, such as anemia, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, kidney disease, thyroid disease, varicose veins, or Parkinson’s disease, should be treated. Dietary supplements to correct vitamin or mineral deficiency may be recommended. For some people, these treatments are all that is needed to relieve RLS symptoms.

Good luck!!

[eks]

[QUOTE=Pcostx;5617529]
I have RLS, I’ve not noticed barn work or lack of it making a difference, what DID make a difference for me was taking an iron supplement.

I have chronic anemia and once I started religiously taking iron the RLS issues disappeared!

Here’s info. I found on the web about RLS, don’t know if it pertains to you arm issues:

Treatments for Restless Legs Syndrome

There are no cures for primary restless legs syndrome, or RLS, although various treatments often can help relieve symptoms. Treatment for secondary restless legs syndrome (RLS caused by an underlying medical problem) involves treating the underlying cause.

The First Step in Treating Restless Legs Syndrome

The first line of defense against restless legs syndrome is to avoid substances or foods that may be causing or worsening the problem. Stay away from alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. This may partly relieve your symptoms. In addition, review all medications you are taking with your doctor to determine if any of these drugs could be causing the problem.

Any underlying medical conditions, such as anemia, diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, kidney disease, thyroid disease, varicose veins, or Parkinson’s disease, should be treated. Dietary supplements to correct vitamin or mineral deficiency may be recommended. For some people, these treatments are all that is needed to relieve RLS symptoms.

Good luck!![/QUOTE]

Exactly!

Just found out during a visit with a neurologist this week that I am anemic. He said all of the nightime pain I have in my legs may very well be caused by low iron. I would be so happy if the solution was as simple as that. Interesting info about msg…will have to make sure to look for that on food labels.

[katie_tru]

The diet things are interesting… but I don’t change how I eat during the summer. I am not eating any different now than when it was happening last year. I don’t eat a lot of salty things anyhow… lots of fruit, Greek yogurt, and real food like meat and poultry. I have cereal for breakfast and it’s not sugary stuff.

Now as for caffeine… interestingly, I am drinking less coffe now than I do during the school year. I have one cup in the morning, sometimes I second in the afternoon. Rarely after dinner. During school I had two cups a day 5 days a week (and one cup/day on weekends) religiously and never experienced any issues. Perhaps I am experiencing this from caffeine deprivation?

I did not have any issues last night after working at the barn. I’ll see how tonight goes after being there again. If it continues next week I’ll contact my doctor and see if he can recommend and vitamins or supplements. I’ll bring up TOS. Does that normally happen from muscle building or is that a rarer cause?

[foggybok]

There are a number of dietary causes as mentioned above. Address those and see if you get better. Unfortunately not all cases respond…I’m one… My neuro gave me the parkinsons drug, but it can actually make you worse too, so I didn’t take it. I find some relief using ICY HOT or the Salonpas patches… Worth a try!

[myhorsefaith]

I’ve been fighting RLS for over a year now - mine kicked in after a nasty virus that launched a mega autoimmune attack on my body, which has lasted for years. It has been really annoying- not just RLS for me to struggle with, but even period limb movement which keeps my husband awake.:no:

I’ve been on the big meds, and am currently on requip + ambien (because the requip alone was making me so nauseous I was awake for that reason, not the RLS, LOL).

My doseage was slowly creeping up, the medication was getting less effective, or my RLS was getting worse.

I finally got sick of it- so sick of being sick, and really scared to be increasing my medications after such short periods of time.

I have new rules to live by: no sugar at night, no caffeine after after 8am, and absolutely NO alcohol (which i found out is a mega trigger for my rls).

On top of those restrictions has been 1 addition: I’ve been taking magnesium/calcium/vit D supplement for a few weeks.

My RLS has all but disappeared. It used to be that I couldnt even sit on the couch with my DH to watch a movie.

I’m not completely off the RLS/sleep meds, but my dose has halved, and in a few weeks my dr and i will cut it again.

So - work with your doc, make sure it is safe to supplement your diet- I have read too about iron, folic acid, and also magnesium. Also, play with your diet- remove those common triggers and see if it makes any difference.

When my blood is tested, there was no reason for me to take an iron supplement. Folic acid I tried, did nothing. The magnesium/calcium/vitd appears to be making the difference.

Good luck!

[GrayCatFarm]

What Pcostx said!!! Low iron can produce the same symptoms as RLS. A colleague of mine went years before being properly diagnosed. A nightmare for her.

[ManyDogs]

I tend to get that if I walk on a treadmill. (legs, that is)
I cope by taking an asprin or two at bedtime and putting pillows under or between my legs if I lie on my side.
I had it as a kid and now that I think about it, I had low iron. Hmmm.

[cowgirljenn]

ARGH! I don’t want to give up my wine (whining!).

I was diagnosed with RLS this year. And it pissed me off because I didn’t want to have a disease that I felt was made up. And I almost refused the drugs the doctor prescribed me because I was so mad. Then I DID take the drugs, had the first good night’s sleep I’ve had in forever and was happy. I build up tolerance to drugs quickly, so they don’t seem to work as well as they once did.

I hadn’t read much about RLS because I don’t seem to have enough hours in the day, but I guess I better go read. And try giving up wine, caffeine and other things and see how I feel.

OP, I am glad you posted this. I don’t have great words of wisdom for you, but this is teaching me more about this condition.

[candyappy]

I had this a few years back. Would wake up in the middle of the night and have to stretch my legs, it was awful. I was also extremely anemic ( i didn’t know). It came and went, seemed worse if I was less active during the day and if I didn’t drink enough water. Having a hysterectomy seemed to fix it for me ( not the reason for it). So I would say for me it was probably Iron deficiency. I don’t drink coffee, tea, caffeine filled soda or wine, but I love my dark chocolate. So caffeine is not an issue. Do you drink enough water? Could dehydration ,even slightly play a role in it??

[Gil_s_Girl]

I get RLS a lot, and a bad bout seem to be triggered last year by starting to ride again - it seemed using all those muscles again somehow made it worse. So your arm issues are probably similarly triggered by the barnwork. But I too am anemic - though no doctor has really connected it, I tend to get a bad bout every couple of months, and when I take a bunch of iron, it goes away for another while. Good luck - it’s an awful sensation that’s really hard to explain to people who’ve never experienced it.

[foggybok]

[QUOTE=myhorsefaith;5619299]
I’ve been fighting RLS for over a year now - mine kicked in after a nasty virus that launched a mega autoimmune attack on my body, which has lasted for years. It has been really annoying- not just RLS for me to struggle with, but even period limb movement which keeps my husband awake.:no:

![/QUOTE]

My poor hubby has the same problem… One might he started to see what would trigger a leg movement. he tickled my leg and found out if he did it less than 20 seconds after I moved, nothing happened, but after 20 seconds it would trigger a spasm…the movements occured every 27 seconds if he did nothing… I guess he really couldn’t sleep!

How many of you have a family history? My Mom and Aunts had it. So does my sister… the hereditary kind is different than some of the other forms…

[Eventer55]

I started having RLS last year and I found that stretching every night pretty much took them away. I put my leg up on a bannister or kitchen counter and try to put my head on my knee. I count slowly to 100 and repeat the other side. If I skip a night, they come back.

It also completely took away my tight back muscles. A sports physician told me to do this, it works for me and it’s worth a try. Hope it helps!