Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Remedy For Severe Foot Cramps Caused By RLS
Question: Hi there,
I am a 47 year old woman, basically very healthy slim and fit, I was diagnosed with RLS about two years ago but chose to just live with it instead of taking medication. For about the last three months in addition to the creeping sensations and general need to move my legs I have been getting very painful calf cramps that generate from the ankle and pierce upward and foot cramps that bring me to tears (in the middle of the night and occasionally in the day time). The crawling and popping is also now in the daytime while sitting or standing at my desk at work. It seems like it's perhaps a circulation problem so I have been standing at my desk instead of sitting as much as possible with maybe a 25% decrease in symptoms. I also noted that I have subtle dark dry spots on the tops of my feet that I thought were just dry skin (for a year I have been moisturizing to no avail) and noticed that as a symptom when googled of deficient circulation.
I am a 47 year old woman, basically very healthy slim and fit, I was diagnosed with RLS about two years ago but chose to just live with it instead of taking medication. For about the last three months in addition to the creeping sensations and general need to move my legs I have been getting very painful calf cramps that generate from the ankle and pierce upward and foot cramps that bring me to tears (in the middle of the night and occasionally in the day time). The crawling and popping is also now in the daytime while sitting or standing at my desk at work. It seems like it's perhaps a circulation problem so I have been standing at my desk instead of sitting as much as possible with maybe a 25% decrease in symptoms. I also noted that I have subtle dark dry spots on the tops of my feet that I thought were just dry skin (for a year I have been moisturizing to no avail) and noticed that as a symptom when googled of deficient circulation.
Brief Answer:
There is no question in your set of statements.
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. My name is Dr. Saghafi and I am an adult neurologist with quite a number of patients who have definite RLS and others who have RLS mimickers.
In RLS, some of the blood tests that are sometimes performed include iron levels felt to be low in this condition. I would recommend getting blood tests if not done, not only of iron levels but also iron binding capacity and zinc levels since low zinc means that low iron can never be corrected.
You could even consider taking iron tablets empirically even without the bloodwork but be aware that iron can cause constipate fairly readily at higher doses.
If you believe there is a circulatory issue then, I would recommend a full vascular workup. Also, can you upload photos of the dry spots on the tops of your feet to this system? It will help if I can see these lesions. Are they anywhere else on your body, limbs, face, back?
Also, can you specify the question you have regarding your condition as well as the ancillary information you added to help focus what it is you are looking for from this analysis.
I hope I've satisfactorily responded to your statements. If so, may I ask your favor of a high star rating with some written feedback?
Please send me more comments or inquiries in the future by going to my web address at:
bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
I would be honored to answer you quickly and comprehensively.
This query has required a total of 29 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.
There is no question in your set of statements.
Detailed Answer:
Good evening. My name is Dr. Saghafi and I am an adult neurologist with quite a number of patients who have definite RLS and others who have RLS mimickers.
In RLS, some of the blood tests that are sometimes performed include iron levels felt to be low in this condition. I would recommend getting blood tests if not done, not only of iron levels but also iron binding capacity and zinc levels since low zinc means that low iron can never be corrected.
You could even consider taking iron tablets empirically even without the bloodwork but be aware that iron can cause constipate fairly readily at higher doses.
If you believe there is a circulatory issue then, I would recommend a full vascular workup. Also, can you upload photos of the dry spots on the tops of your feet to this system? It will help if I can see these lesions. Are they anywhere else on your body, limbs, face, back?
Also, can you specify the question you have regarding your condition as well as the ancillary information you added to help focus what it is you are looking for from this analysis.
I hope I've satisfactorily responded to your statements. If so, may I ask your favor of a high star rating with some written feedback?
Please send me more comments or inquiries in the future by going to my web address at:
bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi
I would be honored to answer you quickly and comprehensively.
This query has required a total of 29 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
