Restless/twitching legs when trying to fall asleep?

[whatevergirl]

Sorry--not sure where to put this topic.

I have been struggling with something that resembles ''restless leg syndrome...'' but I don't think it's that--because it only happens on nights when I do squats, lunges, or pilates (lower body workouts) during the day. It's sooooo annoying, literally, my legs twitch as I'm dozing off...my quads to be exact. Last night again, dozing off...my legs started twitching, and it's like an achy uncomfortable feeling. Hard to describe. I pulled myself into a fetal position, didn't help. I tensed my legs and then relaxed them...didn't help. I should have taken ibuprofen, that will sometimes help, but too lazy to go downstairs.

I stretch A LOT before and after my workouts...and so, not sure what could be causing this, but I'm SO tired today from not getting enough sleep last night. Eventually, I'll fall asleep but it goes on for the first hour or so that I'm in bed.

Just curious if anyone here goes through this after leg workouts? Thx in advance for any advice.

[matt297]

Never had it after a workout day.

In fact I have never had since I quit smoking!

Do you smoke?

I've no idea what causes it tho

[XXX666]

try eating a bananna after that leg workout. actually its a good idea to always eat a piece of fruit post workout, the simple sugars help spike your blook sugar back up and help your body change from a catabolic to anabolic state *due to your blood sugar being very low post workout*

stay away from NSAIDs like advil or tylenol unless you absolutely need them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-ste...lammatory_drug

[whatevergirl]

Never had it after a workout day.

In fact I have never had since I quit smoking!

Do you smoke?

I've no idea what causes it tho

No, never have smoked. It is really a strange feeling...like not quite achy, but uncomfortable...almost like a charlie horse, but twitchy. Ugh, I still feel my quads twitching today, my spin routine yesterday must have been a little much.

[whatevergirl]

try eating a bananna after that leg workout. actually its a good idea to always eat a piece of fruit post workout, the simple sugars help spike your blook sugar back up and help your body change from a catabolic to anabolic state *due to your blood sugar being very low post workout*

stay away from NSAIDs like advil or tylenol unless you absolutely need them.

ok, I'll try the banana post workout...I sometimes just have a cup of lite soy milk...that has a lot of potassium too...but, didn't yesterday. thanks for the tip.

[Grossimo]

Myoclonic jerk, I would think...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myoclonus

[whatevergirl]

Myoclonic jerk, I would think...

Hmmm, not sure about that, but thanks for the link. I think that sounds more serious than what I'm feeling at night. It's like a dull ache, and then when dozing off, there is a spasm in my leg, almost like my legs are aching from the workout of the day, and are not yet relaxing...hard to explain the sensation, except that it is dull, achy, and makes you want to massage the aching muscle, but then even after you do, another 10 minutes goes by, and another twitch to wake me up. It doesn't happen every time I do a lower body workout, but it's frequent.

[mfbarbmff]

Sounds like a muscle spasm.

Muscle spasm is caused by many things.

1. Electrolyte imbalance - make sure you're getting enough sodium, potassium and calcium. all of which are contributive to a good electrolyte balance. A good ratio of sodium to potassium is something like 1500mg to 3500mg respectively. A high sodium to a low potassium intake constitutes an unhealthy balance (most people have a shortage of potassium in their diet. good sources of potassium include banana, potato, milk)

2. Dehydration - inadequate water intake can make your muscles twitch. get at least a gallon. double that if you're using a lot of supplements like creatine, N.O., etc.

3. Overtraining - muscle spasm or twitching may be a symptom of overtraining. But this is more rare than most tend to believe. so chances are, it's not caused by this.

*EDIT* Btw, stretching after your lower body workout can also prevent twitching. Try to stretch after working out or cardio sessions, not before.

[whatevergirl]

Sounds like a muscle spasm.

Muscle spasm is caused by many things.

1. Electrolyte imbalance - make sure you're getting enough sodium, potassium and calcium. all of which are contributive to a good electrolyte balance. A good ratio of sodium to potassium is something like 1500mg to 3500mg respectively. A high sodium to a low potassium intake constitutes an unhealthy balance (most people have a shortage of potassium in their diet. good sources of potassium include banana, potato, milk)

2. Dehydration - inadequate water intake can make your muscles twitch. get at least a gallon. double that if you're using a lot of supplements like creatine, N.O., etc.

3. Overtraining - muscle spasm or twitching may be a symptom of overtraining. But this is more rare than most tend to believe. so chances are, it's not caused by this.

*EDIT* Btw, stretching after your lower body workout can also prevent twitching. Try to stretch after working out or cardio sessions, not before.

Thanks for this...I'm thinking it was #3...I do a spinning routine and during yesterday's, I threw in a few extra simulated hills at a longer duration...harder resistance on the spin bike...(I have a spin bike at home and follow a spinning series) So, it probably was that. My legs are feeling a little better now, they were still spasming even this morning!

[whatevergirl]

This is getting better--just an update. I am going to be doing deadlifts, squats, and pilates lower body workout tonight...so...we'll see if the same thing happens again. I am wondering if I'm not stretching enough POST workout. I tend to stretch more I've noticed, before workouts...so maybe that could be the problem ...not winding down enough...muscles are still tensing when I'm in bed.