Excessive Leg Heat at Night: Causes & Relief

Question
I've asked most every doctor I've been to in the last few years... I sometimes have a problem when I'm in bed, trying to go to sleep, my legs will get hot. I mean seriously hot, to the point where if they touch anything, I feel as tho they may spontaneously combust. It is severe enough that it keeps me awake sometimes for hours. Normally, I have to get out of bed, go sit in the living room and wait for exhaustion to take me into sleep. They are not hot to the touch, there is no tingling or spasm or any other RLS symptom. Just HOT. I recently had back surgery and was taking percocet. After a couple weeks of taking the percocet, my legs started doing this every nite. Once I stopped taking the percocet, the symptoms were not as severe, but I still have some heat discomfort at nite. I also remember that the symptoms presented (in my younger days) if I drank too much. Most times, I cant think for the life of me what could be cause. It has been an occurence since my early 20s (I am 45 now). Any ideas?
Thank you

Answer
Hi Teresa,
This may be a varient of resteless leg syndrome. Narcotic and alcohol use cause brain chemistry alterations which can in turn cause a sensation of burning--kind of a neurologic symptom--. I would ask about treatment for RLS and see if this helps your condition.