Restless Leg Syndrome

[Wolicki]

I am in bed, trying to go to sleep but my legs won't let me! I nver had this problem booefore going gluten-free, but now I have it almost every night Did anyone else get this after starting the diet? Just curious...............

[tarnalberry]

Yes. I developed fibromyalgia and restless leg *AFTER* being gluten free (for four years) and casein free (for three years). For me, at least part of the problem was low iron - just borderline low, but still low. I suspect the same stress that instigated the celiac was leading me to not absorb enough and need too much iron.

Until my pregnancy, I took a very low dose of Mirapex for the restless leg, and it was WONDERFUL. An extended period of time with poor quality sleep is just awful and messes with your whole life. Taking supplemental iron has definitely helped keep it at bay during my pregnancy, but it could be better.

[Frances03]

YES, and I just developed it after i went gluten free and that's only been almost a month. But I do have low iron, and the restless leg has improved since starting iron supplements. It's not GONE yet but it's not as bad. It starts ever night as soon as I go to sit down and relax. Have you had your iron levels checked? That might help!

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Both the symptoms of restless leg syndrome and low iron may be linked with B12 deficiency (also called "pernicious anemia"). Celiacs are at increased risk of developing B12 deficiency due to malabsorption and we also have a very high rate of using acid blockers, which can cause B12 deficiency (you NEED acid to properly absorb B12).

According to the B12 sites, some formulations of B12 absorb far better than others. They seem to universally recommend methylcobalamin over cyanocobalamin (the kind in most multivitamins), and they all recommend the sublingual form rather than the tablet form. Folic acid is also important (consider that the lack of it has been pinpointed as the cause of spina bifida), and is in some sublinguals.

Most of the gluteny bread products and cereals we used to eat WERE "fortified" with B-vitamins and folic acid, and perhaps that really did make a difference?

[Wolicki]

I have had my iron checked. Most indicators are in hte normal range, but my Ferritin is low and iron stores are low. I've been on ferrous sulfate for a month, and will be starting Ferrex in the next few days. Definitely have not seen an improvement with the OTC.

What iron supplements are y'all taking?

[ang1e0251]

I have the restless leg after going gluten-free. I keep mine under control with magnesium and Sublingual B12. The B12 is the key. If I forget it, I feel that squirmy feeling coming back so I get up and take it. Soon the feeling is gone. I never tried to change my iron intake.

[tarnalberry]

I have had my iron checked. Most indicators are in hte normal range, but my Ferritin is low and iron stores are low. I've been on ferrous sulfate for a month, and will be starting Ferrex in the next few days. Definitely have not seen an improvement with the OTC.

What iron supplements are y'all taking?

It was only my ferritin that was low. I take the same thing - ferrous sulfate. I had been taking SlowFe, but switched to a liquid during my first trimester when pills did not sit terribly well in my stomach. Prior to that, I tolerated it completely fine.

(It's worth noting, that I had previously been on regular B-supplementation (not just B-12, but definitely getting plenty of that as well), in addition to 1000mg Ca and about the same in magnesium per day - some from the cal/mag/D and some from the malic acid I was taking as well. For me, it was the iron specifically, but it's important to check out all the possibilities if that doesn't help.)

[soulcurrent]

B12 supplements keep my RLS in check. If I forget the supplements for a couple of days I can feel it come back. Alcohol brings it back sometimes too but I hardly ever drink and couldn't say if B12 still keeps it at bay then.