Cricketing/cricket feet stimming pain solutions

The chair thing is interesting - I always sit reclining as notice I do it then. Maybe if I say normally I'd do it less. 

I've actually done a fair bit of ankle work after a couple of ops - a combination of sports injuries and clumsiness (ASD thing too apparently)... My feet/ankles are pretty broken up, but I'm getting more and more sure it's being significantly aggravated by simply sleeping/cricketing.  

Good advice, thanks - I actually have had a sleep study; like autism it took a long time for someone to take it seriously, but after much footstamping I finally got a study and diagnosis of sleep apnea, which incidentally you are significantly more likely to have if you're Autistic. 

Maybe there is more to my ridiculously high apnea score... I'll look into that thanks. 

Restless Leg syndrome was also something I didn't know had a name and that other people had too untill about 5-10 years ago, but had all my life. 

It's different to the stimming isn't it, often when I'm sitting watching a movie, or it strikes when I'm just going to bed. Sometimes I try to stretch it out but get cramp instead. The worst is when you get it in a cinema, and I end up concentrating on slowly moving my leg in a fashion that isn't disruptive but just about keeps it at bay, without looking like an adult who can't sit still for 5 minutes. 

The stimming is definitely a comfort thing rather than the RLS which is pain if I don't move.

That is interesting - I didn't know adult versions of wobble cushions were available (thank you - I shall check out that idea).

Acquiesce said:

I'm terrible for it when watching a movie/locked in to something as well as getting to sleep/apparently throughout it. 

Crazy how ASD can effect things - I can't breathe in my sleep properly either which is also heavily weighted for ASD types. Perhaps the foot thing links to my inability to breathe too?!

Based on my own experience, some of the things that you've said here suggest that it might be worth talking to your GP and discussing whether a referral to a sleep disorder clinic could be worthwhile.

Stimming is, of course, often a feature of autism - and that can include leg movements. I also stim with my legs, for example, both consciously and subconsciously.

But it's perhaps also worth considering whether you might have some co-occurring conditions - which can be treated. There is some evidence that autistic people may be more likely to experience:

• Restless legs syndrome (RLS)
• Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)
• Sleep-related breathing disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

RLS tends to be worse during periods of rest, especially in the evening or at night, and typically feels like it has to be relieved by movement (which may also be relevant to what ArchaeC describes experiencing).

PLMD is something that often (although not always) co-occurs with RLS, and relates to limb movements that happen during sleep and that cause sleep disturbances / sleep impairment. These movements don't necessarily need to be big enough to dislodge bedding; even smaller ones can cause periods of partial or full waking, and disrupt healthy sleep patterns.

OSA disrupts breathing and can lead to all sorts of major health issues over the longer-term if it's not addressed.

Since my own autism diagnosis, I've learned that I have all three of these conditions and am now under the ongoing care of the sleep clinic.

Without wishing to alarm you, I'd suggest talking to your GP if you feel that your symptoms could be consistent with any or all of these.   

I didn’t actively think about it until it was pointed out that I was causing annoyance. I don’t actually feel an itch, it’s more that it is difficult to suppress on the odd occasion somebody is with me during the evening. Doing it in bed isn’t an issue now.

I had a rocking chair but I didn’t enjoy sitting on it. I have an adult sized wobble cushion but I use it only during the day.

I will also cricket e.g. sat on a "lazy boy" chair with the foot rest up while watching TV.

However, less likely so, if I am sat in a rocking chair (with my feet on the floor as part of making the rocking chair move to and fro while watching TV, or listening to music. 

That second-hand rocking chair has proved to be a good purchase.  Maybe, a bit like a "wobble cushion" for grown ups? 

Sounds all a bit "provide suitable feedback!" to me.

I don't actively think about doing those actions with my feet - it is just "a thing".

I didn’t know that had a name. I’ve been doing that in bed for years, I don’t recall when it started. I also do it sometimes in the evening. It’s as if an itch or something compels me to rub my feet tightly together. It used to annoy my ex husband when we were married as it kept him awake. Eventually we slept in separate beds. 

My granny used to do this when she sat in a chair, but I’m only just making the link now.

I wonder if many non-autistic people do this?

Yeah, I get sore ankles, maybe from over doing it. I sometimes stand one foot on the other or on the sides of my feet, which also won't help either.

I listen to this health podcast, and they often talk about various body parts and weakness, and most of the time the top advice is people need to strengthen the muscles to protect the joints. Just I don't know what muscles you can strengthen for feet? If they do one on ankles, I'll let you know! 

I don't do enough exercie, so I am often sore and stiff all over, just find it difficult to find time to do anything about it. 

Sometimes when I get painful legs, elevating them helps, I wonder if you put your feet on a soft pillow in bed it would make it harder to rub them together?

I'm terrible for it when watching a movie/locked in to something as well as getting to sleep/apparently throughout it. 

Crazy how ASD can effect things - I can't breathe in my sleep properly either which is also heavily weighted for ASD types. Perhaps the foot thing links to my inability to breathe too?!

I'd never noticed I did it until it was pointed out to me... I knew I'd always done it when it was, but hadn't ever 'actively' done it (in that it was always totally automatic/with no thought).

It seems to have moved from one of those things I do to one of those things that's causing me problems though, so I need a solution there - musing on splints, weighted blankets or even resistance bands (which I have!). 

Yup me too…

I didn't know it was called that, but yes, it even got noted in my assessment, apparently i was rubbing my feet together during that. I do it a lot too when I get into bed. Just realised I'm doing it now sitting having breakfast, probably since the kids are having breakfast watching very loud Minecraft videos.

Yes, indeed.

(I also, unconsciously, often seem to do so as I am waking up - as a sort of warm up routine - before first standing up and walking away from having been asleep):

m.youtube.com/.../fBopCtzt_VY