Some physicians I work with do procedures to treat varicose veins - not just the surface stuff; the valve problems in the deeper venus system. Apparently that can be a cause of/contributor to RLS…
I like to think I have almost completely ‘cured’ my RLS with the following things. It still happens occasionally, but much, much less.
- Lots of potassium. Eat bananas. Take a daily multivitamin.
- Get enough sleep, and the right kind of sleep. That is, NO NAPS. Naps always cause it.
- When it happens, take an ibuprofen. If you are sleeping, stop trying to sleep, that will not help. Get up and do something.
I don’t really like pills much, because I feel like they are treating the symptoms and not the cause, but if that’s what it takes, don’t hesitate! However, at least
sleep and good health cannot hurt, for sure.
I don’t. That was kind of a long time ago.
Are you sure you actually have RLS and not PLMS? RLS is more an uncomfortable, MUST MOVE LEGS sensation rather than an involuntary twitching.
Long term, I’ve had the best luck with regular exercise. As long as I run regularly, it’s not a problem. If I stop for a period of time (injury, travel, whatever) it starts to come back. Oddly, when I return to exercise and start to increase my activity, it gets much worse for a few days. If I can power through and keep up the running, it typically goes away and I don’t notice it anymore.
Right, Kiber, I forgot to include exercise. Every day, even if it’s only 20-30 minutes, but you must get your legs moving and use those muscles.
Hey! I also have RLS…and I was thinking about getting a medical marijuana card for this…seeing as the only time it seems to go away is after I have smoked…I am currently in the process of getting my forms signed…but I’m in need of a doctor…I’ve found a few websites: medical marijuana doctors as well as weed doctor but i am not sure if i am barking up the rght tree…does anyone have any tips??
I have RLS, showed up after a major surgery. My Neurologist prescribed neurontin. I take 300mgs two hours before going to bed. It’s the only thing that has helped.
I also learned that taking Benadryl for a sleep aid can make the RLS worse in most cases.
I’m on an email list for RLS and there are several people there who use marinol (the pill version of marijuana) as part of their regime to control the condition.
I don’t recall whether any listmembers have specifically said they smoke marijuana, but the reference to marinol suggests that it might be helpful.
Beyond that, I have no idea how to track down a doctor to prescribe the stuff.
I missed this posting before but yes - I have both. A very large percentage of RLS sufferers also have PLMS and vice-versa.
My mom suffered terribly from this at night, quinine was suggested back then? She used to try a sm glass of tonic water.
Sometimes after having an alcoholic drink, I feel my legs start to do the restless thing. Starts in the car on the way home. Happened enough times I think alcohol is a trigger in me.
Man, it’s irritating. Hope it never develops further.
Quinine was often suggested, under the assumption that it was a form of leg cramps. That’s been thoroughly debunked though some out-of-date doctors still suggest it.
Some RLSers do indeed find that alcohol can trigger symptoms (I haven’t particularly noticed this with myself).
Someone told me taking calcium would help with leg cramps while sleeping. It works for me. Maybe it’s related.
IANAD, but I don’t think it’s related. Cramps are muscular, RLD is neurological.
Orgasm.
I’m not joking. Works like a charm.
Unfortunately, the relief doesn’t last much longer than the afterglow :(.
But yeah - this is something that even the Big Guns at Hopkins concur with (when I met with them 10+ years ago).
I like this. Makes sense, orgasm brings release in so many ways.
And not just when in the moment.
Stretch. Increase iron intake. And what Girl Next Door said. 
There is a high correlation between RLS and serum ferritin < 50. Iron supplementation, as recommended above, should help.