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by Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony on May 12th, 2004
Help answer this question below.
by Over and Out on December 3rd, 2008
I think you mean restless legs ...
by malevolentbutticklis on August 21st, 2008
Hook it up to some sort of power generator?
by ...... on March 7th, 2008
I take iron pills and it seems to work fine.
by JUSTNORMAL on January 14th, 2007
http://www.rls.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=178&srcid=-2
My daughter in law suffers from RLS as does her sister and Dad. Hope this site can help
by Damiana on January 9th, 2007
Massaging the muscles to relax them will sometimes work. RLG is hard to diagnose and can be caused by many different reasons - stress, fatigue, iron deficiency, even genetics.
by Joe-Speedy on January 9th, 2007
For me, vigorous excersize worked. I push iron around for an hour and exhaust my muscles. No more restless arms and legs for me.
by Duane Roelands on May 13th, 2004
Restless Leg Syndrome is a valid and recognized medical condition.
Although movement brings relief to those with RLS, it is generally only temporary. However, RLS can be controlled by finding any possible underlying disorder. Often, treating the associated medical condition, such as peripheral neuropathy or diabetes, will alleviate many symptoms. For patients with idiopathic RLS, treatment is directed toward relieving symptoms.
For those with mild to moderate symptoms, prevention is key, and many physicians suggest certain lifestyle changes and activities to reduce or eliminate symptoms. Decreased use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may provide some relief. Physicians may suggest that certain individuals take supplements to correct deficiencies in iron, folate, and magnesium. Studies also have shown that maintaining a regular sleep pattern can reduce symptoms. Some individuals, finding that RLS symptoms are minimized in the early morning, change their sleep patterns. Others have found that a program of regular moderate exercise helps them sleep better; on the other hand, excessive exercise has been reported by some patients to aggravate RLS symptoms. Taking a hot bath, massaging the legs, or using a heating pad or ice pack can help relieve symptoms in some patients. Although many patients find some relief with such measures, rarely do these efforts completely eliminate symptoms.
Physicians also may suggest a variety of medications to treat RLS. Generally, physicians choose from dopaminergics, benzodiazepines (central nervous system depressants), opioids, and anticonvulsants. Dopaminergic agents, largely used to treat Parkinson's disease, have been shown to reduce RLS symptoms and PLMD and are considered the initial treatment of choice. Good short-term results of treatment with levodopa plus carbidopa have been reported, although most patients eventually will develop augmentation, meaning that symptoms are reduced at night but begin to develop earlier in the day than usual. Dopamine agonists such as pergolide mesylate, pramipexole, and ropinirole hydrochloride may be effective in some patients and are less likely to cause augmentation.
(http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/restless_legs.htm)
by Prime wants the old AB back on February 22nd, 2009
A bar of white soap between the sheets is an old remedy in my area that seems to do wonders. :)
by Don Gorgeous George on December 3rd, 2008
Smoke a bowl?
by sm00z on August 21st, 2008
I do isometric exercises by alternating pressing one leg against the other until the restlessness goes away.
by TwiceShy on July 19th, 2008
I find that it happens mostly when I am tired and if I've been sitting awhile (especially with my laptop on my lap). I get up and move around and that helps for awhile. I also take Requip. It does help.
by Jillian on July 19th, 2008
I have been there! I was given a drug through IV which caused this for about a week and I was miserable!! Thank God I don't have this ongoing but I was there for about a week. Try having someone ELSE massage your legs, not you. Also, try propping them up under pillows. If you can afford it, the temperpedic pillows are great for this. If you cannot afford it, try buying one large body pillow to use for both legs. Also, there is a product that my company sells. I can get it for you real cheap. It is NOT sticky or gooey and it actually WORKS for RLS because it is just about the ONLY thing that relieved this annoyance for that entire week. It is called Epoch Leg Invigorating Gel. Email me at JillianHanley @ comcast dot com and I would love to help you!!
by Mentalmum is back on July 19th, 2008
Im glad i spotted this question Wanbli, ive been suffering from this on and off for about a year, but lately its getting more frequent.. have you found a way of dealing with it yet?? its driving me insane!
by Grammy Robin on March 2nd, 2008
I just do.
The pills work for a couple of weeks and then they keep me awake at night.
Sometimes getting up and walking on a cold floor helps me.
by Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony on September 15th, 2004
Agree with the other answer that making lifestyle changes is very helpful. Just an addition, I have had good results with a homeopathic remedy called Zincum Metallicum and a brisk walk before bed. This might not work for everybody and before taking anything you should consult your physician. Hope this helps.
by RLSTahoe on March 23rd, 2010
HI, folks,
I have severe RLS and as the question says, it is way differnet than leg cramps, and some people get that mixed up.
There are neds that will help, plus coping techniques. The best way to cope is to talk with others and get SUPPORT, so that you do not feel like you are the only one pacing the floor at 3 a.m. or wanting to literally cut your legs off!
First, knowledge is power. Read the reliavble web sites for RLS. If they promise you a cure, or want your money suyrf away! There is no cure, and we are not getting much closer to that aspect, but we are learning a lot about medications.
Lots of people join my groups, saying that they refuse to take meds, and what else will help them? There are all kinds of ways to cope, ands support is key. I will say that many, many people when they first find out what it is they have, say "no meds, no meds". some peop are lucky enough to be able to do that. But RLS gets worse with age, does not go away, although it may quiet down for periods of time.
It can be genetic. They have discovered the RLS gene, so it can run in families.
In others, it can be idiopathic, or no known cause.
One thing to remember is that many medications can CAUSE RLS or make the symptoms worse. Certain classes of meds. like tricyclic antidepressants like Elavil can send some people over the edge. Lots of over the counter meds like Benedryl
or some OTC sleep aids contain diphenhydramine. That is 99% sure to make your rLS worse. Anti nausea meds like compazine , Phenergan, and Reglan are bad for surgical patients with RLS. Zofran is the ONLY anti nausea med that should be used
for an RLSer duriing and after surgery. It used to be only used for chemo patients, but I just had it last week with my gallbladder operation, and I had a much better experience than the last op where they gave me Phenergan, even when I told them not to. http://www.rlshelp.org is one of the best web sites as far as looking up meds that are used for RLS, and the ones to avoid like the plague. a neurologist, who is a medical advisor for the RLS Foundation owns that site. When you go there, click on the treatment page, and you will find the most comprehensive list of "Drugs and foods to avoid". Do your research, keep a diary, and ALWAYS write your questions down before you go to the doctor. When we are extremely sleep deprived, we are certainly not going to remember everything.
GET A SLEEP STUDY. There are several conditions that can affect your sleep, including PLMD, (leg movements in your sleep), sleep apnea, REM disorders,etc.
Exercise is good, but as I commented below, not too close to bed time. Your core temperature has to be low in order for your body to get ready for sleep.
I moderate several online groups for sleep disorders and RLS, plus the RLS Foundation has a Facebook page, too. Their web site is http://www.rls.org
also http://www.health.com has a greatv section on RLS, and there are videos and patient stories, some are from my groups, as well as my video, too. That site is owned by Time, Inc. Remember, there is no cure, so save your money on all the ridulaous ads that all over the internet advertising RLS cures. SCAMS, all of them.
Be smart and safe, and do your homework.
One last thing, soap may make your sheets smell nice, but chemically it cannot help your legs, so I always say it cannot hurt you, but..........
by debodun on February 22nd, 2009
I rub some of that blue gel muscle liniment (like IcyHot) on my lower back.
by Teabee on February 22nd, 2009
A cold cloth on the back of my legs.
by posh1028 on January 26th, 2009
Well, I went to kroger just now and bought a bar of Ivory soap and stuck it in my bra strap. So far, nothing although it may work better under the sheets ;)
I did notice ultram helps mine but my doc only gave me a few of those. Not near enough to work and it wears off.
Mine gets worse right before my period and when I have ate foods that are high in fiber for some reason.
by sloroller on August 21st, 2008
It's a great way to mix drinks.
by bingobongo - is really losing interes... on August 21st, 2008
SHAKE IT!
by Carrot and Stick on July 19th, 2008
Tell my husband to brace himself as I kick away
by anonymous on January 9th, 2007
The most important tool the doctor has in diagnosing RLS is the history obtained from the patient. Several common medical conditions are known to either cause or to be closely associated with RLS. The doctor may link the patient's symptoms to one of these conditions, which include anemia; diabetes; disease of the spinal nerve roots (lumbosacral radiculopathy); Parkinson's disease; late-stage pregnancy; kidney failure (uremia); and complications of stomach surgery. In order to identify or eliminate such a cause, blood tests may be performed to determine the presence of serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, creatinine, and thyroid-stimulating hormones. The physician may also ask if symptoms are present in any close family members, since it is common for RLS to run in families and this type is sometimes more difficult to treat.
Treatment
It is likely that the best alternative therapy will combine both conventional and alternative approaches. Levodopa may be combined with a therapy that relieves pain, relaxes muscles, or focuses in general on the nervous system and the brain. Any such combined therapy that allows a reduction in dosage of levodopa is advantageous, since this approach will reduce the likelihood of unacceptable levels of drug side effects. Of course, the physician who prescribes the medication should monitor any combined therapy.
Acupuncture
Patients who also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis may especially benefit from acupuncture to relieve RLS symptoms. Acupuncture is believed to be effective in arthritis treatment and may stimulate those parts of the brain that are involved in RLS. It is also thought to benefit RLS patients who do not have rheumatoid arthritis.
Homeopathy
Homeopaths believe that disorders of the nervous system are especially important because the brain controls so many other bodily functions. The remedy is tailored to the individual patient and is based on individual symptoms as well as the general symptoms of RLS.
Reflexology
Reflexologists claim that the brain, head, and spine all respond to indirect massage of specific parts of the feet.
Nutritional supplements
Supplementation of the diet with vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, and folic acid may be helpful for people with RLS.
Allopathic treatment
If causes related to diet, metabolic abnormalities, and medication have been excluded or treated, therapeutic medications may be helpful. Some medications, including those mentioned above, may cause symptoms of RLS. Patients should check with a health care provider about these possible side effects, especially if symptoms first occur after starting a new medication.
In some people whose symptoms cannot be linked to a treatable associated condition, drug therapy may be necessary to provide relief and restore a normal sleep pattern. Prescription drugs that are normally used for RLS may include dopaminergic agents (such as levodopa and/or carbidopa, used to treat Parkinson's syndrome), dopamine agonists, opioids, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, iron (for anemic patients), and clonidine. Patient response is variable, so it is best to consult a health care provider to determine the best medication or combination regimen for the individual circumstances. Careful monitoring of side effects and good communication between patient and doctor can result in a flexible program of therapy that minimizes side effects and maximizes effectiveness.
Source Citation: "Restless leg syndrome." Judith Turner. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. 2nd Edition. Jacqueline L. Longe, Editor. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, 2005.
by Universe Of Life on January 9th, 2007
I find sleep is the only way to ease it.
by shaydee on March 22nd, 2005
I have been told that putting 4 to 5 bars of soap (any soap) in your bed will completly relieve the symptoms of restless legs. The soap is to stay there for as long as you need to keep the problem at bay.
I dont suffer with restless legs, so l havent tried it. But it works for her, so lm wishing you luck.
by Anonymous on December 6th, 2007
Thankfully I don't get it in the arm too often. I find that one to be worse then the leg. Excersize has only had marginal success for me. Though I encourage anyone who finds something that works for them to keep doing it! I take Mirapex which helps a lot. Lately bath oils seem to be soothing as well. My wife also massages the leg that has the main problem.
by posh1028 on January 26th, 2009
Some of these answers are unreal. For we, who really have rls know that you cannot sleep when you have it, so, how can sleep be an answer. I am going to my doc today to see about getting requip. Don't know how good it will work but anything is better than rls and ras
by Erebus on January 26th, 2009
cut them off.
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by randomcookiemonster on September 12th, 2009
im 12 and i hate having RLS! its annoying! it takes away from your sleep! one time i couldnt even fall asleep because of it! i had to get up and it was like 3,4 in the morning and walk! i hate it! i need something to help it!
by Twisted Taco on January 26th, 2009
Chain your Jimmy leg to the bed
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Comments
yes exactly-! how-make it stop lol
by stardust on December 3rd, 2008
Sometimes getting up and walking around will help. I would see your doctor. I think there is medication to help.
by Over and Out on December 3rd, 2008
thank you :)
by stardust on December 3rd, 2008