restless leg syndrome RLS

a lot of time at night I feel the symptoms of RLS. Where my legs are uncomfortable and I have to move them to flex them or get up and walk to get rid of the feeling, but its only temporary until the RLS comes back.

I've looked through the internet, maybe not as thoroughly as I can, but still have looked and have only been able to find "if you want to know how to cure your RLS, buy this book, only $3,000,000!" just exaggerating. But does anyone know any non-medical remedies?

maybe there is a forum about this already?

There are a variety of herbal muscle relaxants and nervous system depressants if you want to try that. Bark from the Black Haw plant is known to be used to relax muscles and release tension throughout the body. You can also add valerian and catnip to the mix to act as sedatives.

Create a tincture out of the black haw bark, let the alcohol evaporate, and use the left-over extract as an additive for tea. Make a tea out of the valerian and catnip, and add some black haw bark extract.

You could also try to do flex your muscles in a toe-to-head pattern before you rest (though you said flexing doesn't help much). To do this, first flex the feet as hard as you can for around 5-10 seconds. Let go for a moment (10-30 seconds), and then do your feet plus your lower legs. Continue this cycle until your whole body is flexed. Do around 2-3 more whole body flexes, and by the time you finish, your whole body should be nice and relaxed.

Hope that helps!

-Scott

I have this problem too... but it goes away if I make slow, stretching movements for about 15 minutes. I would think it depends on the person... try some relaxants or something.

I've seen quite a few commercials for this syndrome. There's a drug that you can take. I'm not sure if it's prescription or not, but it's definitely there. I would go speak to a pharmacist (just at a grocery store somewhere, nowhere fancy) about it and see what he/she says.

I've recently experienced faint twinges of RLS but only after I've had alcohol.

I'm with you dude. it happens to me too.

Some late night talk show personality was making fun of RLS a while ago. said something along the lines of, "maybe your legs are uncomfortable because they weren't meant to sit on a couch all day long. get your lazy ass up and go for a walk".

if you find a remedy, clue me in meng. that ish is annoying.

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Originally Posted by awoke

Some late night talk show personality was making fun of RLS a while ago. said something along the lines of, "maybe your legs are uncomfortable because they weren't meant to sit on a couch all day long. get your lazy ass up and go for a walk".

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:lol: That's exactly what I was going to say. I think some strenuous exercise will cure it.

haha, don't get me wrong, I agreed with him. I'm from Wisconsin though. it was 40 below zero a couple days ago. not the best weather to go fro a walk.

lol @ me getting weird looks from everyone when I suddenly jump up and start running in place from now on.

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Originally Posted by awoke

haha, don't get me wrong, I agreed with him. I'm from Wisconsin though. it was 40 below zero a couple days ago. not the best weather to go fro a walk.

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Me too (from WI). :cheers: Glad it warmed up into the 20's; it feels great.

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Originally Posted by awoke

lol @ me getting weird looks from everyone when I suddenly jump up and start running in place from now on.

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Yea...

Maybe just some stretching before bed would help; might be worth a try. I know it sucks because I've had RLS a few times too.

awoke and Moonbeam, anywhere near Madison?? :D

Judging from awoke's location, I'd say he is. I'm way up north tho.

Oh haha I didn't even notice. Uhh I should pay more attention to my surroundings.

Actually, I find myself getting RLS more often when I work on my legs all day!! i have jobs where I don't sit down all day, and I still get RLS! so obnoxious!!!

I do not know WHY this works, or if it will even work for you, but my mom does it, and it works for her. She read it in our Local Paper.

Take a bar of soap, any brand, doesn't matter, and stick it at the foot of your bed (Ailos wanted me to mention near your feet) while you sleep. I don't feel like typing up the whole thing, so just read this artical here for information on this cure that people swear works, including my mom.

http://www.peoplespharmacy.org/archi...leg_cramps.asp

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Originally Posted by The Tao

I do not know WHY this works, or if it will even work for you, but my mom does it, and it works for her. She read it in our Local Paper.

Take a bar of soap, any brand, doesn't matter, and stick it at the foot of your bed while you sleep. I don't feel like typing up the whole thing, so just read this artical here for information on this cure that people swear works, including my mom.

http://www.peoplespharmacy.org/archi...leg_cramps.asp

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I thought I should add that the soap is to go under the bottom sheet near your feet.

Sorry Tao :P I get this compulsion to elaborate on instructions if they seem a little unfinished. Don't take it personally ;)

that is so funny! I wouldn't have believed it if i weren't as open minded as I am, a bar of saop?! lol, who woulda thunk it!

Any news on if it helped you? I would attribute it to the Placebo effect if I had to guess a reason as to why it works.

There are prescriptions for this (Mirapex, Dopamine, etc) but honestly, they're not that effective. We have patients come in with this ALL the time. I do know if you have OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) or some of the related respiratory issues while you're sleeping, these make it worse. When we start people on CPAP therapy the RLS (PLMD) is usually greatly diminished.

I've had quite frequent problems with this ever since middle school when I had a handful of epileptic seizures. It can be extremely uncomfortable and annoying. I never knew there was a name for it until recently when they started showing those commercials.

I haven't tried any of the prescription medications or herbal remedies so I can't comment on those - I usually just wait it out and it eventually goes away (which can take a few hours). I have noticed that, at least for me, alcohol tends to help. But I wouldn't recommend that as a healthy way to cope.

I mostly sleep so soundly that I don't realize that I'm kicking. But my bed partner certainly lets me know in the morning! I only kick after drinking alcohol or taking sleep drugs. So if I drink, I try not to do so close to bed time. Here's some info on restless legs. http://www.sleepphones.com/restless_legs

Drink more water?

I have the same "problem", and it seems to help, just drinking A LOT of water..

I was diagnosed with RLS several years ago, and know quite a bit about it. My wife works at a library, and found me an excellent book on the subject as well. I'll look up the title when I get home.

I have been taking a medication called Requip, which completely helps the RLS symptoms, but has side-effects I do not like: it makes me feel a little nausiated, and it knocks me out cold for about an hour.

I just saw a new doctor, and am trying a new promising drug. I don't remember the brand name, but the generic is Gabapentin. Requip does not have a generic. So far it is helping, but I'm still adjusting dosing.

Now as to all the other cures, here is what I have gathered from both experience and extensive reading:

Exercise and stretching can help somewhat, but not in the evening or near the time you lie down for rest, when it can make it worse. Walking can make the symptoms go away, but only while you're actually doing the walking. As soon as you stop, the symptoms return.

In general, meditation and relaxation do nothing. In some cases, it has actually been reported to worsen! :( Not that there aren't real benefits from meditation, but if you're feeling the RLS, it's not going to stop it.

RLS is a very serious problem. Even if you are asleep and not aware of the kicking you're doing at night, you will wake up more tired because you are not as deeply asleep as you should be. A very slight silver lining is that at the right level of kicking, it can actually aid in lucid dreaming! But it's not worth it... RLS flat-out sucks. I've had it for many, many years, but only in the last three or four has it gotten absolutely unbearable. Medication is the only reasonable solution for me.

I was looking on google for more info on this.

I have been experiencing like my whole body shaking when falling to sleep.. Its like theres an earthquake but it stops when I move around abit. It seems to be coming from my legs and goes all over my body.. but Im not physically moving.. it feels like something to do with my balance. like when you get drunk and things spin.. like that but shaking.

I don't think this is the same thing?

anyone know?
It scares me :(

i would take a hot bath! i have the same thing that you do:shock: or take an ibprouven that always helps me if you have any more questions just ask!

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Originally Posted by Lunica

I was looking on google for more info on this.

I have been experiencing like my whole body shaking when falling to sleep.. Its like theres an earthquake but it stops when I move around abit. It seems to be coming from my legs and goes all over my body.. but Im not physically moving.. it feels like something to do with my balance. like when you get drunk and things spin.. like that but shaking.

I don't think this is the same thing?

anyone know?
It scares me :(

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This is not RLS, as I have experienced both. I think what you are describing is linked to sleep paralysis.