Home Remedies for Restless Leg Syndrome
WARNING: This home remedies site is intended to be archival in nature. The natural remedies here are submitted by numerous people from around the world, and we have no way to test or verify every remedy. As such these home remedies should be used for academic purposes only. Never use any home remedy or other self treatment without being advised to do so by a physician.
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Restless Leg Syndrome Home Remedies:
Submitted by K, NZ at 2011-11-23 01:51:46
I am pregnant with my 2nd child and have been suffering with lack of sleep for the past week due to unbearable 'crawling' sensations in my legs at night. They feel so hot and the only relief is to get out of bed and walk around. Last night I scoured the bathroom cabinet and found some Siang pure oil that a friend had left here after his trip to Thailand. I rubbed it all over my calves and the cooling sensation was amazing and instant. I returned to bed and slept like a log. I am not sure if this oil is available here, (New Zealand) but looking at the ingredients it seems similar to Tiger Balm white, not the red one which is hot. I am trying it again tonight. I will also be trying some of the other suggestions. I am glad I found this site. Thank you.
rating: 8 (6 votes)
Submitted by Tom at 2011-03-23 11:53:25
I have the hereditary type of RLS, which is typically more severe than acquired, and ran into this forum about midnight last night....(I would rather have been sleeping though).
My RLA was pretty well managed on Klonepin for the last 30 years, though my sleep patterns steadily got worse and I needed to increase the dose several times and add Codeine. The Klonepin caused severe depression and the high dose made me very sleepy in the day. I have been off for six weeks now, withdrawal was terrible.
I take D-Ribose for AMPD1, a hereditary muscular disease that causes the muscles to cramp and fatigue very easily. Roughly 5% of the Anglo population is a carrier of AMPD1. This and several other muscular diseases that cause severe fatigue during work/exercise sharply increase severity of RLS.
A very hot bath before bed sometimes puts me to sleep before RLS sets in. Snow is a real treat, as walking barefoot in snow for a while calms the legs very well. Since we seldom get snow, I have head&neck ice wraps made by Medi-Temp, and wrap one around each leg just below the knee.
The kitchen counter is the ideal height for stretching calves. Put your hands on the counter and one place one foot 4' back - then lean down to the counter to stretch that calf.
I wish you all a good nights sleep :)
rating: 7 (12 votes)
Submitted by S at 2012-01-23 18:39:25
I drink 6 Drops of Lugol's Iodine mixed in 4 oz. of water- it stops the restless legs completely and instantly. If I eat too much food too close to bedtime, it does not seem to work quite as well, but it still helps. I wonder if it kills some kind of bacteria that hangs out in the stomach lining. Sugar and starch and wine all seem to make restless legs even worse, it probably feeds the bacteria!
Warning, you should find out first if you are allergic to Lugol's Iodine before you try it. I learned about it in Hulda Clark's alternative healing books. I am not a doctor, just want to share what works for me because I know how desperate it feels to lie there in the dark with jerking legs.
If I am out of Lugol's Iodine, I get some relief sometimes with AlkaSeltzer with aspirin. I think that for me, there is a chronic bacteria problem that comes from eating dairy foods and then stays there and thrives if I eat the wrong carbs. I don't know if is safe to keep taking the iodine every night forever, so I started on the specific carb diet and I am cutting out all dairy now. Then I will see if I need the Lugol's less often.
Note: Lugol's is not regular iodine, and it is a not a brand name of iodine, either. It is a strong solution that the pharmacy can order. I don't have a prescription, though. I just ask at the counter. Please don't try regular iodine, I have no clue what that would do to a person. Also, lease make sure you are not allergic to iodine, it is extremely unsafe if you are. Try the AlkaSeltzer until you can get Lugol's.
I've also seen some Lugol's on the internet, but it is so weak that it takes around 14 drops to work. It is not as effective.
rating: 7 (4 votes)
Submitted by Stanster at 2009-09-24 11:33:56
I found some homeopathic pills at CVS (all natural) named 'Restful Leg' by Hyland's company. I can't believe it but they worked! Also found that when I don't drink alcohol and I go for a run/walk at night I get great results. Try to reduce stress by learning to not worry, just take appropriate action and then 'let go and let God ' take it from there. Also, eat less junk food, take a daily vitamin, cut out soft drinks... improved my overall health!!!
rating: 7 (46 votes)
Submitted by Jeff at 2011-12-14 00:04:59
I am 51 and have had RLS since at least my early 20s. I did not know it had a name until about 10 years ago when someone in my office was diagnosed with it and then I looked it up. Bottom line is that I do not like doctors. My solution is that I sleep on the floor. I start the night in bed with my wife, but after about 30 minutes, I sleep on the floor beside the bed. I find that the hardness of the floor pressing against the muscles in my legs gives me some relief. I have a blanket and pillow down there and have not spent a whole night in a bed in over 25 years. Thinking back on it, my father never slept in a bed either. It is not perfect and I do not really fall asleep until the wee hours of the morning when exhaustion takes over, but it is how I saurvive.
rating: 7 (12 votes)
Submitted by chad at 2011-11-30 06:07:28
I've had this darn RLS for as ling as I can remember, 12 or 13 I guess (28 now). As i get older it gets worse. I suffer from it every darn night (awake now at 2:30 am California time). Since I lost my job and have no health insurance and can't afford to buy some, a doctor visit is out of the question. Finding this site has been a godsend. I'll try each and every one of these remedies if I have too. Thanks everyone for your input and its good to know I'm not the only one crying my eyes out because they can't sleep.
These are a few things that i have tried in the past and used, and get fairly consistent results, but not always. 1st is leg stretches. I would do calf and thigh stretches, stretching to the point of minor pain, doing it in an alternating manner for about 5 mins. This usually works for me about 70% of the time. 2nd is I have...well HAD, this chamomille tea, called nighty night tea for kids ( I have a 4 year old son who used to refuse to go to bed at night). It's in a blue box and has a cartoon owl on it looking like he is about to pass out. That works great too, about 65% of the time. Any relaxing tea can be used, and if you have the money, stop by Teavana and get yourself a custom blended relaxing tea. 3rd is get up and walk around for about 10 mins. The symptoms should stop, and if your like me, your going to be soooo tired to start with, that after you walk around, your going to fall asleep fast, before the symptoms can flare back up. And 4th, well this works FOR ME 100% of the time, is some good sex. Problem is that your partner is most likely going to be pissed if you wake them up at 2:30am and not really in the mood. And in my case since I have symptoms every night, that could be problematic as well. 5th is I grab my body pillow, put it between my legs, and then draw my legs up to my chest as far as is comfortable. This technique unfortunately though only works for me about 40% of the time, if that.
I look forward to trying some of these new remedies and hope others find this goldmine of info useful. DEATH TO RLS!!!!!
rating: 7 (16 votes)
Submitted by M. L. Warren at 2010-01-07 16:56:07
I’ve had RLS for more than 10 years. For years when I would lay down at night to sleep I often would have spasms running down both my legs into my toes causing them to curl, every 30 - 45 seconds. My RLS was so bad that the spasms would wake me up if I was asleep. The only way to relieve the spasms was for me to take a brisk 30 minute walk (in cold and warm weather I had to go walking in the middle of the night). Three years ago a friend who had serious muscle problems in his leg was directed by his doctor to take some vitamins along with his prescribed meds to help fight muscle spasms. Those vitamins were Calcium Magnesium and Zinc. My friend suggested I try them. I went to Walmart, purchased a $7.00 bottle of 250 pills and have been happy ever since. Both vitamins are combined into one pill. The name on the bottle is Calcium Magnesium and Zinc (Bone Health). I took the suggested daily dosage of 3 pills and within 1 week my RLS stopped. I know this is the exact substance that cures my RLS because over the years of taking the vitamins I have discovered that I can skip a few weeks of taking the pills before my RLS starts to come back. At that point I resume taking the vitamins and the RLS goes away the next night and stays away until I again have a gap in taking the vitamins. Since my dietary habits are poor, I feel good in taking a vitamin that also cures my RLS. Happy – Happy – Happy!
rating: 7 (82 votes)
Submitted by Tina at 2011-12-29 09:22:42
Hi, I've been researching the Restless Legs Syndrome on the web all day, as it has been a problem in my own life as well as in my Mother's and my Sister's. As I understand it, the problem does not originate in our legs, but in our brains, due to a shortage of the hormone Dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter responsible for communication between the brain and the muscles. It appears that our leg muscles are responding to a wrong message from the brain ...? The root of the problem may lie in an iron deficiency which can be remedied with an OTC supplement. Another possible OTC product is the neurotransmitter Seratonin, in the form of a natural supplement called 5HTP. For years I have managed my RLS condition in a 'muscular way' which I believe did alleviate the RLS irritation: Lying on my stomach on my bed, I let my head and shoulders hang over the edge of the bed, their weight stretching my lower back. I believe that this stretching exercise creates the effect of releasing 'squashed' nerves 'stuck' between my vertebrae (a very amateurish description, I know). As we get older, the cartiledge between our vertebrae gets thinner, right, creating less space between ...? This may explain the fact that RLS gets worse with age (I'm 63). Perhaps this stretching (alternatively hanging) exercise could help more RLS sufferers. I hope so ... My blessing!
rating: 7 (5 votes)
Submitted by RachelD at 2010-04-21 17:45:17
This may sound odd, but I am being serious. Although I haven't been troubled with this condition for a while I have suffered with restless legs in the past and it used to drive me to distraction. I found that having an orgasm stops it. For me that horrible gnawing feeling always felt like a build-up of nervous energy that needed an outlet and an orgasm does seem to provide that. Sorry if it sounds unorthodox but if it helps anyone then I don't mind people thinking I'm weird.
rating: 6 (115 votes)
Submitted at 2010-08-20 01:37:19
sometime if it gets real bad i just jump in my tub, make the water as hot as you can take, and stretch while im in there. this worked for about the first 9 years. dont know why it doesnt work anymore though
rating: 6 (9 votes)
Submitted by denise at 2012-03-30 11:19:12
HI GUYS. I've been taking medication, and here i am to report on my own experience.
I take 0.5mg of clonazepam (also known as clonotril) every night about 1h before i sleep.
1. seeing a neurologist and getting medicine may be a prob
2. the meds make you so drowsy it's scary to conk out asleep anywhere anytime with no recollection of what you were doing. I've found myself awaking the the floor many many times.
3. it doesn't work if you don't get enough sleep (in my case) or are stressed out. i guess caffeine and alcohol also apply.
my best solution is to get someone to massage my legs till i fall asleep. but i feel bad for bothering my dad.
so, i guess to lessen the impacts SLEEP AT REGULAR TIMES. no naps, no caffeine, no alcohol, try to exercise. sleep is most important i feel. the other remedies vary from person to person.
some background info: I'm 17 yrs old, no idea how i got RLS, had it for... 5 years now.
keep up the good fight everyone!
you can contact me @ denchinwl@hotmail.com if you wanna rant or whatsoever.
rating: 6 (6 votes)
Submitted by Dawn Hemming at 2012-05-01 03:17:10
I have have been successful at keeping restless leg at bay by doing three things: take magnesium every day, and completely avoid gluten and sugar. I have suffered from RLS for eight years. I have been able to control it completely if I follow the three thIngs. When I cheat, I have problems!
rating: 6 (3 votes)
Submitted by Paul - Ohio at 2011-02-21 13:35:50
I've tried many of these remedies over the years and often theorize about what causes or triggers RLS. One common denominator among almost all sufferers seems to be that attacks occur or peak at bedtime or when sleeping. This would support the theory of spinal pressure or misalignment. Any action that involves sufferers getting out of bed (whether to take/preform some remedy, pace the floor, or whatever) would invariably result in changing or reliveing that pressure on the spine to some degree. This could possibly explain why such a wide array of nighttime remedies seem to work (maybe it wasn't the remedy so much, as simply the action of getting out of bed). My spine is misaligned somewhat due to one leg being shorter than the other, which is a very common physiologic occurrence. I first experienced RLS as a 8 yr. old child (growing pains we called it) at a time when I was experiencing a rapid growth spurt. Symptoms returned when I was an adult (around 45) after I was in an auto accident. Anyway - just thought I'd share my thoughts on this theory, which several others on this site seem to share as well. Mirapex has worked extremely well for me, but I have had to increase the dosage 3 times already (over 7-10 yrs) and don't know if I will max out allowable dosage/effect at some point. I tried switching to Requip and had terrible time, and switched back. Hylant's Restful Legs works great for me -stopping nighttime attacks within 10-15 min. (dissolve 2-3 tabs under tongue). High carb intake, and/or alcohol before bedtime, makes symptoms much worse. Keep blogging guys! I think one of the keys to solving the RLS mystery lies in studying the commonalities in symptoms and successful remedies/treatments.
rating: 6 (11 votes)
Submitted by Louise at 2012-01-12 16:36:40
This may sound strange, but ithis really works when I am having a particularly bad night. If my husband is awake, I suggest we should make love to which he his response is always a positive one. The natural 'feel good' hormones released during a climactic love-making session as well as the energy put into the entire act, can knock me out. Once the cuddle hormones kick in after the fact, I fall into a deep 'coma-like'sleep. If you don't have a partner to help you out....get creative. I couldn't be more serious, this helps me EVERY time.
rating: 6 (16 votes)
Submitted at 2011-01-08 01:00:24
CHIROPRACTIC!!! I had suffered from RLS all through-out my teens. I often relied on Gaba, which does seem to relieve the symptoms for the most part. I then started to work for a chiropractor and was getting adjusted regularly. In the 2 years that I was receiving regular adjustments, I didn't experience RLS at all! I no longer work for the chiropractor and haven't been getting adjusted (financial reasons)...and RLS is back! *tear* I've reverted back to using Gaba, but it's just not the same! I liked it better when I didn't experience it at all!
rating: 6 (24 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-23 00:49:10
I have been so worried about a plane trip for 9 hours coming up, the thought of my legs driving me insane in such a confined space, so i have been trying everything other than traditional medication, as i already have low blood pressure and 1 of the side effcts of the meds available is that it lowers bp. the best relief i have had is from odourless heat pads, they are amazing. They take about half an hour to work but the relief is 100% and they work for 8 hours. I am also skeptically seeing a chiro and apparently my pelvis is out of alignment, so he adjusted it, that was 2 days ago and to my surprise my rls has disappeared, which is very unusual for me as i rarely have a night rls free. would love to hear of other people who have taken the chiropractic path to hear of their results. This condition can be so life disrupting with regards to sleep deprivation, travel,and general wellbeing, it is a shame there is not much information available, nor is it well known, yet so common across all ages.
rating: 6 (10 votes)
Submitted by Eureka at 2006-05-21 23:45:03
restless leg syndrome
According to the Restless Leg Syndrome Association and the results from brain tissues at Johns Hopkins Medical... this problem is from not enough B6 and iron... I had this problem after a surgry-- was given Neurontin and had balance problems... when I took the iron and B6 pills they sometimes give after a surgery... the problem disappeared..
I also find that magnesium and potassium help
rating: 6 (83 votes)
Submitted by 330-371-4738 at 2011-09-25 01:26:14
dear friends, i watched on TV couple weeks back the report, 'The last Hart attack,'
by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, i started eating that way, very low fat, and all my RLS disappears. it feels so good now.
rating: 6 (9 votes)
Submitted by Lisa at 2011-06-01 08:23:16
I have had RLS for years and been to several doctors that gave me a bunch of different pills mainly for depression which i didn't have. I tried the magnesium, didnt work. tried heating pad, it helped. vicoden,and percacet worked great but lost insurance, and was worried cause they are narcotics. but finally found a doctor that after 4 times begging for something... anything. She gave me gabapentin 300mg it helped and with heating pad i could finally sleep then she uped me to 600mg at bedtime and i have no more RLS. and it is inexpensive, ask your doctors. trust me will do miracles.Oh and works great on my cronic lower back pain also, can acually get out of bed and walk natural instead of hunched over and in pain.
rating: 6 (21 votes)
Submitted by steve at 2011-01-06 08:37:36
I have suffered for years and like others I have found that quinine definitely works but they stopped selling in the US and possible heart side effects. Now using Percocet and it works but wears off during the night. I have been taking Magnesium for months with no improvement. Also check any of your other medications, Certain medications that may aggravate symptoms. These medications include antinausea drugs (prochlorperazine or metoclopramide), antipsychotic drugs (haloperidol or phenothiazine derivatives), antidepressants that increase serotonin, and some cold and allergy medications-that contain sedating antihistamines. Still I am thinging like others it is tied somehow to weight and back pressure. Good Luck
rating: 6 (18 votes)
Submitted at 2010-03-20 03:36:03
I discovered a cure for restless legs about 10 years ago. I would get up and pace the floor forever, but it seldom worked for very long. It occurred to me that my legs wanted something to DO, so using my background in bodybuilding, I took the shortest and most direct route, and came up with this sure-fire solution. It has never let me down. I got a two foot piece of 2'X4' and kept it under the bed. When the problem started up I would get my piece of wood (a thick book will do in a pinch, but you want the 2 foot piece of wood for stability reasons)and put it in front of the dining table. I stand putting my heels on the block with feet apart (for stability; your're probably tired, right?) I put my fingertips on the tabletop for balance and SLOWLY squat down as far as I can, keeping my head up and back flat, and return to the standing position. Pause a second and repeat, doing as many repetitions as you can do. The key is to squat down as far as possible without causing yourself low back pain. If you can only go halfway down, that's fine. If you can do deep squats, then do what your body is capable of. Don't use the tabletop to help raise yourself back up; make your legs do the work. While you may only be able to do 5 or 10 reps to begin with, work up to 20-25 reps, 1 or 2 sets max is all you're going to need to do. I find one set of 20 reps squatting down to my heels does the trick for me. Give it a try, it's fast, cheap, and believe me, it WORKS.
rating: 6 (21 votes)
Submitted by Leah (Oregon) at 2010-06-04 01:17:11
Last evening was the worst my RLS has been to date. I've decided it started about 2 months ago when I began a low dose of Zoloft for my anxiety. It comes and goes so I haven't thought much of it. It certainly has disrupted my sleep and is more than annoying, it's absolutely torture. I've tried the heating pad, Advil, muscle relaxers and the like. I've read all of the blogs and remedies on this site. I think it definitely depends on the individual, but after reading all the blogs here last night, I felt I had to share. I was pretty desperate as my husband rubbed my legs to help me get drowzy enough to sleep. Then it dawned on me. Acupuncture! I had had it in the past for other ailments and it worked amazingly well. So I remembered the can of tennis balls in the garage. I put two under my back, at the small of my back where the two little indentations are, and I slept through the night!! The pressure on the area that the RLS seemed to stem from, was just the ticket! Maybe it was a placebo effect but who cares? I slept! No yoga poses and stretching on my floor at 4:00 a.m. It may not work for everyone, but I thought I must at least give another possible remedy to this very annoying disorder. Hope I can help someone.
rating: 6 (12 votes)
Submitted by teachntwins at 2012-01-19 12:37:09
Glad I found this site. I have been suffering from RLS for the past several months on and off. Reading about the dopamine levels being lowered really helps me. I was diagnosed 10 months ago with Tardive Dyskensia, which was brought on by a Bi-polar medicine I had been taking. They explained that it had lowered the dopamine in my system. Since the TD diagnosis if have developed plantir facitis and RLS. At one of my physical therapy appts, the receptionist told me about placing a bar of soap at the foot of my bed. This does work most of the time, but no always. I'd like to lay down now but have had the horrible sensations behind my left knee for the past 3 days. Going to try some tea now and see. Can't wait to try the other suggestions.
rating: 6 (3 votes)
Submitted at 2009-10-22 23:21:30
My wife suffers from RLS, and the best remedy that she's found is sex! Lucky me :-D
rating: 6 (59 votes)
Submitted by Kris at 2010-05-16 04:34:49
Hi...I have also discovered that heat helps with my RLS symptoms. In researching the problem I discovered that RLS can be caused by taking Elavil (Amitriptyline) which was prescribed to me to help me with nerve pain, sleep problems, depression, etc. The benefits of taking Elavil were better than having RLS. SO...I started with a heat pad and then decided that an electric blanket or electric mattress pad does the same thing! About an hour before turning in, I turn on the electric blanket to high. When I crawl into bed I switch the temperature to a 4 and just keep it there for the rest of the night. Amazing results! If you're a bath person taking a warm bath will definitely help here. Personally, I'm a shower person. If I need to travel I will just take a hot pad or two with me to help with the symptoms. The irony here is this summer we will be running central air conditioning and I will be using an electric blanket for RLS. LIFE!!! Always throwing us a curve ball!!!
rating: 6 (23 votes)
Submitted by Liz at 2011-06-06 10:18:20
after suffering restless legs all through 2 pregnancies, and being unable to take any prescription drugs, and having tried every other remedy and suggestion, i have found the only thing that worked was peppermint leg gel when applied at bedtime. I used a specific brand, but i'm sure they'd all do the same thing! The cooling and tingling feeling appears to distract from the RLS. good luck
rating: 6 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2009-12-28 02:44:08
With having restless leg syndrome, I have noticed that if I am stressed or have had alcohol, caffine, alot of sugar,if I am dehydrated, or if my legs are cold or confined this aggrevated the condition. What helps me is by drinking alot of water and taking calcium, magnesium and folic acid. Also before bedtime to help my legs relax is by taking a hot shower or bath and this also helps me fall asleep a little easier as well.
rating: 6 (28 votes)
Submitted by jennier at 2012-03-05 22:01:22
I am a 38 year old female and I have the more severe case of RLS. It only use to be in my legs but now it takes over my whole body. Sometimes, when i wait as long as i can before i start my 'fish out of water' shake, it starts to feel like its taking over my lungs/breathing!I can still breathe but it gives me a feeling like i cant breathe right. (hard to explain what it feels like) I am on medication (ROPINIROLE) but its not working. I am curious IF ANYONE HAS HAD ANY SPINAL PROBLEMS? I am just throwing this out there because i had back surgery and my RLS got way worse than before. I have no remedy for anyone! The only thing i can say is: i have taken hydrocodone, not for any pain but to fall asleep and it has been the only thing that works. (not a good thing to be taking) I couldnt tell you if it took it away or just knocked me out fast so i wouldnt know it was there. Just knowing that i have not lost my mind and there are others out there going through the same hell makes me feel like there might be some hope left. I am not sure how much longer i can go through this. Dr's have a way of making you think that your only trying to get drugs. At this point, i will do anything to be able to have 6 full hours of uninterrupted sleep. My children need me and i can't even function half way through the day.. Thanks for listening...
rating: 6 (19 votes)
Submitted by Lisa at 2011-04-20 00:53:44
I've had RLS for many years. It is a horrible disease. The freaky feeling and jumping legs can make you feel like you are going crazy. I've been on Mirapex for years. It offers some relief, but does not eliminate the problem. If I'm late with or miss a does, life is unbearable. My physician told me that RLS is a neurological disease most likely related to an imbalance of either seratonin or dopamine. So many people don't understand the suffering that those of us with RLS experience. Many say it's all in our head. Those people are insensitive jerks. I don't know how to prevent of calm our problem, but I wish everyone luck with whatever remedy works for them.
rating: 6 (43 votes)
Submitted by Bernie West at 2010-02-04 15:07:51
I drink tonic water, with quinine when my legs start to bother me. It works for me.
rating: 6 (20 votes)
Submitted by Jen at 2010-05-23 09:53:56
I have an unusual remedy that works for me every time. I lie on my stomach to sleep and place a padded lacrosse ball (rolled up in the toe of a sock) just inside my hip/pelvic bone - low (to the right or left side of my lower abdomen depending on which leg is bothering me.) The restless leg sensation seems to originate from this spot and the deep pressure relaxes me and stops the sensation so I can sleep. Keeping my legs warm also helps.
rating: 6 (10 votes)
Submitted by Amanda at 2011-02-07 22:41:27
I've recently started suffering with RLS for the past few months, and it is pure torture!..I've went through so many sleepless nights and just wanting to tear my legs off. I was an opiate addict for about 12 years and I am only 25..RLS is part of opiate withdrawl but mine lasted way past the withdrawl stages. I never understood why until now. Now, if you think about it there is one thing that has all the vitamins and minerals people are saying to take like Magnesium, Potassium, B6, Iron, and so on..and it's cheap and very available.. Orange Juice! I drink a huge glass before bed and it works wonders for me! I'm so thankful that a lot of OJ and a lot of praying sure helped me sleep. Try it you may be surprised :) Hope I can help someone! :)
rating: 6 (30 votes)
Submitted by Louise at 2011-04-13 11:03:12
I have suffered from severe restless legs for 35 years. Just for context, i might have 3 non sequential nights per year where I suffered no symptoms. In the past 3 years, the symptoms have gotten progressively worse, starting again in the morning and reoccuring during the day any time I try to rest. Needless to say, I had not had more than a few hours sleep for years.
Almost 2 months ago, While doing my usual twisting and turning in bed trying to get relief, i hapened to turn to my side and into a tight fetal position, really stretching and holding my knees into my chest. this stretched the back also. I felt relief after holding the 'Fetal Stretch' for about 2 minutes. I assumed this would be short term, as all movements and stretches have been in the past, but i was nistaken! the complete relief lasted for approximately 24 hours!
I have now been eliminating my RLS symptoms using this 2 minute stretch about once per day for 45 days now! I now sleep through the night! I can go see a movie without annoying everyone around me!
Please consider telling other sufferers to try my Fetal Stretch! it has changed my life!
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Louise
rating: 6 (27 votes)
Submitted by Ly-Anne at 2009-10-21 03:29:55
I do a few weird things that help with the symptoms. For one, depending on where the restlessness is, i find putting on leg warmer/s really helps reduce the urgency to move. The feeling of constriction seems to calm my nerves a bit. Second I try sleeping on the couch so that I'm able to dig my legs into the cushions, again with that same feeling of constriction. Hope this helps!
rating: 6 (18 votes)
Submitted by Terrye at 2011-06-21 20:19:26
This really isn't a 'remedy' but a connection I've noticed in my own experience with RLS. I have had it off and on for several years but didn't know what it was until the past year or so. I've spent many a sleepless night. Suddenly, I went for months without any symptoms. It just stopped. What had I done? Well, the only connection I could make was caffeine! I had stopped caffeine...sodas,coffee,tea...because of a medication I had started taking that could cause kidney stones. I increased my water intake dramatically... at least 3-4 8oz glasses or more a day. Was supposed to be 6-8 glasses but 3-4 was good for me. I didn't drink tea,coffee, or pop, not even caffeine free. The sympoms of RLS disappeared. Unfortunately, I developed a kidney stone anyway and had to stop the medication. When I did, I had been without those beverages so long, I started back drinking them...sometimes caffeine free but usually it didn't matter. I would drink either. Then BAM! Here came the RLS symptoms. Last night was the worst in a long time. I am ready to ditch the caffeine again. Even caffeine free doesn't mean totally free of caffeine. So, I am going to give it try again! It works for me. Maybe might work for someone else. Nothing else causes the symptoms for me. Good bye caffeine!
rating: 6 (13 votes)
Submitted by Jerry at 2010-07-04 00:21:44
I've had RLS for about 38 years and it has progressively gotten worse. Over the years I¡¦ve tried to find a cure/treatment. RLS, as I understand it, is caused by a lack of iron or in some cases, the body has sufficient iron but the particular cells in the brain that produce the dopamine (neurotransmitter that facilitates the limb movement) do not absorb the iron (same with Parkinson¡¦s). It seems to me that this iron absorption problem is similar to aspen trees here in the Rockies. In mid-summer, many of the aspen trees start to turn yellow caused by the lack or iron. Iron can be added to the tree but they have a difficult time absorbing it. In some cases holes are drilled into the tree trunk and iron plugs are inserted to get the tree to absorb the iron. Don¡¦t try drilling holes in your legs ƒº
I have placed rusted metal tools in apple cider vinegar for a few days in order for the vinegar to remove the iron. This works pretty well for removing light surface rust. The vinegar gets really nasty but put this nasty vinegar on the yellow aspen trees and it helps them recover, i.e., they can absorb the broken down iron. So could it be that if iron in our bodies could be broken down, could these cells absorb it better? After thinking about this, I Googled RLS and apple cider vinegar to see if there was anyone on these discussion groups that had gotten some relief from the apple cider vinegar and I did find some hits although they did not make any connection with the iron. I tried drinking some apple cider vinegar and did not get any noticeable improvement. Later, I tried rubbing the vinegar on my skin as I was convinced that the vinegar should work. I did get significant relief from this application. My theory now is that the vinegar works best with the skin application as it is absorbed into the blood better than through the stomach.
This may be of some help to some of you. I would advise taking the iron and mineral supplements and trying apple cider vinegar.
rating: 6 (25 votes)
Submitted by Ashley at 2011-08-23 02:54:13
I'm 15 and ever since I was a little girl around the age of 3, I would toss myself literally out of bed to escape the bug like sensation. I have developed it all over my body, back, stomach, arms, legs, and even my neck and head. I have had blood tests done, everything was fine. I had been using Melatonin pills to put myself to sleep. Tonight is the worse night I have had and I believe it is from the stress of the first day of school starting in three hours. I slipped out of bed and drank Tonic Water which is supposed to help. I wrapped hot wash cloths on my legs and since my arm is broken and in a cast used them to wash my arms. It helped just long enough to get to sleep. Though my covers and all were destroyed from movement.
rating: 6 (17 votes)
Submitted by Andrew at 2011-05-11 21:22:02
This obviously may not work for some but I thought it worth sharing because for me...it has done wonders and is so simple. I read somewhere that it was due to the temperature change in your feet. Well I always have had cold feet and anytime I would get into bed, they would soon heat up. Now every night I go to bed and keep my feet out from under the covers and haven't had a RLS encounter for months. I hope this helps someone. Would be interested to know if it does. E-mail me at andrewspam69@gmail.com if it does
rating: 6 (20 votes)
Submitted by Mike P at 2011-08-31 11:38:40
I've tried countless remedies people are saying on here. Cherries, Bananas, Magnesium, Iron (which helped some). PLEASE don't tell me exercise. I'm an avid Spinner and typically burn 1000 calories in an hour and then used to come home and have RLS that night (a few hours later). My father had it bad and most of my siblings have it too. Recently, I started taking Astaxanthin (derived from algae). It is an anti-oxident that has ten times the strength of BetaCarotene. My 'twitching' as my wife calls it used to keep her up about 50% of the nights. Now that I take Astaxanthin daily (10mg), I would say I have had maybe two RLS attacks in 3 months (down from like 45 before in that time span). It is pronounced 'Asta Zanthin'. You can get it fairly cheap online. Also helps bursitis, blood pressure, stamina, joint pain and MANY other ailments. I love this stuff.
rating: 6 (12 votes)
Submitted by sam at 2010-04-27 02:41:10
A real good bit of advice for my other RLS brothers and sisters: Do NOT let them put you on Ropinerole. You will become an addict. If you miss a pill the restless legs will come back on you tenfold. It became restless body syndrome. If I did not take the pill on time even my arms and head would begin to move. To get off of it took me two months of gradually shaving away at the pills - and even then i would have to stop at times at certain levels. This may be a great drug for Parkinson's - but PLEASE tell them NO if they give it too you for restless legs. If I could sue them I would. It was so bad I made sure to carry some with me everywhere in case I got stuck somewhere without them. Imagine your worst restless leg feeling - then imagine being somewhere where you cannot move so the pressure builds until you feel like screaming. This was how it felt if I did not take it on time. I have had a year of misery and arguing with the doctor and had to come off of it by myself. Then for weeks after my restless legs were very bad and have now gradually gotten back to where it was to start with. DONT TAKE IT!!! Now I am working on vitamins and exercise which is making it liveable. But stay away from Ropinerole. It will make you feel like a junkie.
rating: 6 (51 votes)
Submitted by Terri19 at 2011-05-30 10:37:10
In my opinion, I agree with those taking magnesium for relief. I take 500 mg of magnesium and 1,000 IU of vitamin E daily. If I don't, I suffer for it at night. As a 60-year-old woman, I also take 2 1,200 mg pills of calcium daily for osteoporosis prevention. When it was discovered that I had a low vitamin D level, I was put on 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily. My advice is to start with the magnesium and adding the E if the magnesium alone does not help. Get a blood test to check your calcium and D levels before you take them. I had always taken calcium; but when the D was added to the calcium, magnesium and E, it further improved my symptoms. This is what has worked for me personally. I wish everyone a restful sleep and to be symptom-free, so that you can enjoy your life, family and friends.
P.S. ALWAYS tell your M.D., D.O., homeopathic healer, specialty providers, etc. ALL of your supplements and medications. Side effects can occur with all kinds of treatment modalities.
rating: 6 (14 votes)
Submitted by Linda T. at 2007-04-29 02:42:08
Jumping on a trampoline for as little as 10 seconds has stopped my RLS symptoms 100% of the time for the past 6 years!! There are little 'jogger' trampolines (called 'mini-tramps') for only about $40 new (or $15 used) - the great thing being that they can be used indoors regardless of the time or weather! There's a super small one, only 30' wide, available called 'The Bullet' (from JumpKing). I am happy to have a a 15' trampoline at my backdoor (walk from trailer hallway directly onto trampoline - wonderful), which cost only $180. I highly recommend this for RLS, poor circulation, depression, and delightful suntanning. Hope this helps someone!!
rating: 6 (44 votes)
Submitted by MissMama at 2011-10-25 09:46:47
You guys saved me about 2:30 a.m. last night/this morning. Wanted you to know that.
I'm coming off years of a certain leaf/tea thats been a great anti-depressant for me, but needed to wean myself off so much. Edgy as I may be during the day, its the RLS I despise at night. So at 2:30 a.m. I googled some home remedies and grabbed 1) The muscle rub like you said. I don't really care for the ice cold feeling, but it DID help. Also, grabbing a body pillow I pulled my legs in tight to my chest. That too, gave me some relief. But in between I'd also found an old sample of herbal 'relaxing tea' in my cupboard from a health food store. I've had that thing for almost a year, made from dried Blue Lotus, Red Poppy and Chamomile. Made some, drank it, tossed and turned for what seemed to be half an hour more, and next thing I know it was some 4 1/2 hours later and time to get up. That's the LONGEST I've slept in days.
I'm not sure which helped the most, but between the relaxation tea, muscle rub and knees pulled in tight to my chest it worked for me. Hope it works for someone else, I know the HELL that RLS is.
rating: 6 (16 votes)
Submitted by Robert at 2011-11-09 23:34:10
Thanks for all of the contributions. Here is mine;
One of the medical approaches focusses upon the production of Dopamine in the brain. As we relax, dopamine production falls away, and the resulting changes in 'signal' activity cause the feeling of impending movement and sudden twitches. This fits with many of the suggestions on this forum, since exercises, activities, having sex,focussing your mind on things etc will all cause the dopamine production to rise again. The problem is our brains, not our legs.
This is particularly important to me, because my dad had Parkinsons disease, and eventually died from it; the medication for RLS is the same, with the same effects; i.e. it wears off, has to be taken in increasing doses etc etc. I've been reassurred by my Dr that having RLS is not an indicator that I will get Parkinsons. (What a relief).
Understanding that it is due to a reducing level of Dopamine producton when we relax, helps.
Unfortunately it seems to be that those of us with this pattern of dopamine production, will be stuck with it, since it gets worse as we get older (I am 60).
Incidentaly, my partner tells me that the jerking legs continue after I am asleep. So, the trick is to get to sleep before the RLS stops you. This is where the sleep preparation activities help; you doze off before the RLS gets you! I believe that we get so anxious about the RLS, that we get a Placebo effect when we find a 'cure', and so get to sleep before the thing kicks back in, purely out of relief.
So that is my contribution; understand that it is due to lowering Dopamine levels when you relax, divert yourself (to lift the levels again), and prepare yourself for sleep in a planned way. Clearly this means caffeine, alcohol etc are unhelpful.
rating: 6 (24 votes)
Submitted by Tony Reynolds at 2011-09-14 00:57:34
I've been reading through this forum for some time and thought it time to join the posts:
1st what didn't/doesn't work for me:
Iron supplements.
Tight fetal position, too big @ 220lbs.
Magnesium supplements.
Masturbation.
Chiropratic Treatment.
Exercise.
Vitamins (B12, E, etc...)
2nd what kinda helped:
Marajuana
Requip / Ropinirole
Mirapex / Pramipexole
3rd My Cure:
Iron Infusion
History: Genetic (Mom, Sisters, and both of my children.) As a child I would suffer from leg cramps to point I would cry and couldn't sleep. My Mother would rub my legs to help get me to sleep. As an adult I wrote my sleeplessness off as insomnia, not realizing what exactly was going on. Then in '90 I had multiple GI bleeds that sent my Hemoglobin plumbeting and my RLS through the roof. My RLS was 24/7 and my arms began to suffer badly as well. My family care physician put me on Requip & Mirapex. Both had some success but side affects were also plagueing me.
Then... my doctor referred me to an ocologist/hematologist. As soon as she met me her comment was: 'I'll stake my reputation on the fact that your RLS is tied to your Iron deficiency.' I explained that I had been on iron supplements for over 6 months. We scheduled an Iron Infusion immediately and within 48hrs of the treatment, I was cured and sleeping like I never slept. That was Oct '09, I had my 2nd infusion today. It looks like this may be an every 6-12 month fix for me...
rating: 6 (16 votes)
Submitted by peter m at 2012-01-04 05:16:11
I recently went to a doctor and ask about rls which i have had off and on for years, He said try SCHWEPPES INDIAN TONIC WATER,?? I thought yea right,??
I don't know how or why but it works.
Its not expensive you can get it at any supermarket.Try it,I mix it with 2 BEROCCA effervescent tablets, tonic water tastes yuck,carefull mixing it empty the bottle out and leave about 1/4 bottle of tonic water before dropping in BEROCCA effervescent tablets,then pour back in the 3/4 of the bottle.I don't think vitamin B with vitamin c has anything to do with the results,I hope this is helpfull.
rating: 6 (14 votes)
Submitted at 2012-03-21 00:39:35
My RLS kicks in from time to time, and will destroy my sleep cycle and leave me incredibly frustrated, pacing around crying from exhaustion but unable to keep my legs still. Like many of the people here, I combine remedies. I take a few spoonfuls of blackstrap molasses for the iron and take slow release magnesium during the daytime. I think having enough of the right vitamins and minerals in your brain is critical so I also took up taking a multivitamin. I also take an Epsom salt bath before bedtime when I'm worried my RLS will kick in. It helps relax my muscles and also has magnesium....I'm not sure there is enough quinine in tonic water to make a difference, but I also drink tonic water and keep soap in my bed!!!!
rating: 6 (5 votes)
Submitted by Craig rankin at 2010-07-13 21:25:32
Omg I have been suffering with this for years and never knew there was a name for it or other people that suffered from it,I feel so lucky to have found this site and many others like it to help me with my rls,I havnt tried taking any vitamins such as iron etc but so far whenever I get the horrible feelings I get out of bed and squat and do my best to fully use my muscles and exhaust them,this usually works for me but taking vitamins daily would sure be easier.
rating: 5 (19 votes)
Submitted at 2011-03-07 02:12:50
This was really interesting! I have been reading through the remedies and it seems there are as many different remedies as there are people. I have suffered from RLS for years, as has half of my family. We usually meet in the kitchen at about 2 am in desperate search for some sleep. Sometimes brain games helps, sometimes lotion on the feet, sometimes movement, sometimes cheese, sometimes cold baths.sometimes magnesium, sometimes eating bananas. But there must be some underlying cause for it all. I see many seem to say it is a deficiency of some sorts, and I have found often that magnesium helps. But I am wondering if it is all in the mind. Some strange neurological disorder going on,some kind of electricity wiring gone wrong since brain games seem to do the trick everytime. I take my sodoku book and start and within minutes the RLS is gone and I fall asleep.
rating: 5 (13 votes)
Submitted by brian at 2010-11-24 10:00:50
Here is my story after reading the comments posted recently on this site. I now know what has been causing my RLS.
I've tried diet, calcium-magnesium-sodium supplements, and exercise and they provide no dependable relief. My RLS is due to inflamed nerves in my lower back. I’m not going to call it a pinched nerve because I’ve had one of those and fortunately this didn’t take nearly as long to clear up. My symptoms are just like what all the other writers describe. Until the last four days, I have woken up several times each night for the last month for at least an hour with the twitching and anxiety in my pelvic area down to my feet. RLS has been a problem for me the last 15 years. It comes and goes unexplainably, until now.
I think my main problem is that I sleep on my back. Combine that with a hard stool (not necessarily constipation) pressing on the inside and voila: a distressed lower spinal area. To prove my theory I did a test. I laid in bed on my back and waited. Within about 10 minutes the RLS symptoms started to appear. I immediately stood up and the symptoms went away almost instantly. It was repeatable. This proved to me it was not diet, minerals or serotonin related.
If you have what I have, when the symptoms appear at bedtime, immediately stand up. Do not try to work through it as it will only further aggravate the nerves. After the symptoms go away, lay down and find another sleeping position. I practiced on an Aero bed to find the sleeping positions that would work and various mattress pressures. I now realize that sleeping on my back is out of the question during a flare-up.
Avoid any exercise in the gym that pushes your spine up against a pad (i.e. leg presses). I'm sure I'll be able to do these again once I'm fully back to normal.
I've been taking a steady low dose of aspirin for a few days, not to relieve the RLS symptoms, but to relieve inflammation and help the nerves start healing.
Other writers have mentioned magnesium-citrate. My guess this works, not because of satisfying a magnesium deficiency, but because it is a laxative that softens the stool pushing on the inside of the spine.
I’ve been drinking a warm beverage (milk or water) to loosen things up before bedtime. I drink several glasses of Gatorade in the morning and afternoon to stay hydrated (softer stool). I believe this helps counteract the drying affect of coffee and alcohol. The Gatorade powder mix is affordable and easy to mix at work; it is a good substitute for soda or that extra cup of coffee.
I tried 5-HTP for serotonin and it had absolutely no affect.
rating: 5 (32 votes)
Submitted by J at 2011-07-18 03:19:24
i've had restless leg syndrome for a few years and can for the most part stretch before bed and ignore it. recently it's been so bad!!! so i googled home remedies and found this page, then found a video from Dr. Oz, found it helpful. you'll have to youtube it because i can't post it here. basically his remedy was more iron and soap under the sheets(lavender/all natural). he said stay away from the three 'c's: chocolate, coffee(caffeine in both of these), and alcohol. Good luck!!
rating: 5 (18 votes)
Submitted by Lynn Paterson at 2006-03-21 08:07:15
i suffered from Restless Legs for years and by chance found a cure that works for me.
I started drinking TONIC WATER as i dont like tap water and after a few days noticed my restless legs had gone for the 1st time in years. I did a bit or research and discovered it was the QUININE in the tonic water that cured me. i suffered a bad case of restless legs with it in both legs and arms both through the day as well as at night time and as long as i drink at least one 500ml bottle of TONIC WATER per day it seems to work.
rating: 5 (69 votes)
Submitted at 2010-10-11 08:28:38
As all of you, I too have suffered from rls for most of my adult life. The only solution so far that works for me is quninne , with that being said, it is not prescribed in the USA any longer. You can order it from Canada, ot drink quinne water if you can stand the taste.I have tried prescriptions that work but only for a short while then I am back to square one.
rating: 5 (8 votes)
Submitted at 2012-04-12 14:03:23
Hi everyone, just wanted to share a recent helpful treatment for RLS. I had this vibrating massager and I use it on my legs before bed or during symptoms for a few minutes and it works like a charm. I'm so happy haven't had symptoms for a while now.
rating: 5 (8 votes)
Submitted by RJM at 2011-08-26 06:14:58
I am a soon to be 49 year old male.
Have had RLS for years.
2 things made it worse...caffeine and/or alcohol.
I didnt believe it until I stopped them both.
Make no mistake, I still have symptoms but much, much less severe.
I take .25 to .50 mg xanax most nights to settle my leg down. Its mostly my left leg that gives me the most problem.
Dr perscribed Sinemet a few weeks ago but after reading up on it, the side effects & augmentation, I decided to stick with the xanax.
I dont have insurance which is why he didnt give me one of the other, newer drugs.
Im a bit disillusioned about the meds even the side effects. Was hoping to cut out the xanax but I think its better than the alternatives. At least for now.
I miss having a half dozen or so beers occasionally, but it made my RLS much, much worse for days afterwards.
So now I hardly drink at all. Dont miss the hangovers either !
rating: 5 (15 votes)
Submitted by Amie at 2011-07-17 16:05:49
HORLICKS.....
sounds mad i know, but i recently started getting rls and i was told to try a mug of horlicks before bed and yes it works.
If i dont have horlicks i usually get rls within minutes of being in bed.
I can go weeks without it, but i second i feel it coming back a mug of horlicks does the trick.
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2011-01-28 13:51:53
I have read through many of these remedies trying to find a solution to my RLS. I suffer from it severly on a nightly basis. I am noticing that based on what I am reading, many different remedies work for different people. For example: at this point in time the only remedy that I have found that works for me is drinking milk immediately before i go to bed and that will give me an hour or so before it kicks back in again. I have read where milk in other cases is believed to be the direct cause of their RLS. My suggestion is to make a list of all of the remedies submitted by people with RLS and try different thigs to see what works best for you.
rating: 5 (21 votes)
Submitted by Haley at 2006-04-04 23:23:03
I found that a glass of orange juice gets rid of my restless legs. There is a large amount of potassium in orange juice. Potassium assists in muscle contraction and in maintaining fluid (water) and electrolyte balance in body cells. Potassium is also important in sending nerve impulses as well as releasing energy from protein, fat, and carbohydrates during metabolism.
Basically your body is starving for potassium so your muscles can work properly. When you run low on potassium you get restless legs.
rating: 5 (46 votes)
Submitted by Nancy at 2006-12-22 15:58:12
I use apple cider vinegar. Just rub it on your legs. It works for me.
rating: 5 (53 votes)
Submitted by Cara at 2008-05-12 14:15:37
I have suffered from RLS for 10 years. I have always self medicated. RLS was a big challenge for me but I have found something that really works for me. I squat next to my bed (keeping your heels off the ground) for about 5 to 10 minutes. Your legs will feel very tired like they have fallen asleep on you. But the RLS goes away long enough to go to sleep. I know this method sound crazy but give it a try.
rating: 5 (21 votes)
Submitted by erica at 2011-06-11 03:56:55
I know this is going to sound crazy, but just try it. I was up reading this page, as I was crying because my RLS has kept me from getting more than 3 hours the last 3 nights. I came accross one that said to put vix on upper feet and lower legs. I'm willing to try anything. Unfortunately, o don't have vix. Out of desperation, I grab my little tube of carmax...it almost smells the same, right? So I rub it on my upper feet and lower legs, I also rub it on the bottoms of my feet and put socks on. Low and behold, instant relief! I'm really hoping this works long term for me. So far, so good. Good luck!
rating: 5 (27 votes)
Submitted by Diane Blalock Bundrick at 2010-05-11 13:20:51
This is not so much a remedy as it is a fact. That fgact is other medications cause cause or even worsen RLS, seroquel ansd benaryl to name a couple
rating: 5 (15 votes)
Submitted by Alex at 2011-07-15 05:00:03
Masturbate! It works and is enjoyable!
If you are too prude, try Epsom salt bath
rating: 5 (26 votes)
Submitted at 2011-09-11 04:53:12
BioFreeze works amazingly. PRoducts like bengay should work too, although I havent tried them. I use biofreeze, the smell bothers my wife, but the restlessness subsides...and sleep follows.
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2009-05-27 10:00:22
Combo of Remedies--My legs were practically jumping by themselves before I even got in bed last night. I got on here & read through all the suggestions & then tried the ones that stood out to me and/or the ones I had the 'cures' for already.
I drank a glass of water with 3-4 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar & 2 tbsp. of blackstrap molasses in it (lots of iron in molasses). Then I followed it with a cup of Naked Juice--the green kind called 'Super Food'--because it has 400 mg. of Potassium in it. Oh yeah, and I ate probably 8-10 berry-flavored Tums for the calcium. I started with the Tums & usually they take the edge off enough that I can sleep, but they weren't even touching last night's jumpiness.
For whatever reason, the other stuff worked & I went to sleep with no trouble whatsoever & didn't wake up my husband or myself with my legs 'jumping' & 'jerking' throughout the night. I'll definitely try it again to see if it was a fluke or if I've finally hit on something that works for me!
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted by B e z at 2012-04-05 10:46:55
Restless Leg Cure = marijuana. Plain and simple. Eat it, smoke it. It's everywhere! Or take horrible prescription Meds that destroy your liver etc.
rating: 5 (34 votes)
Submitted by Lynn at 2010-07-19 23:53:29
I was told by an ER nurse years ago to drink mineral water for relief of RLS. I've been treating with it ever since. I can now go as long as 3 months or so, and when it comes back I buy another bottle of mineral water drink it over say a 3 day period and its gone again for a period of time. AHHH relief.
rating: 5 (20 votes)
Submitted by Johanna at 2011-05-13 03:53:07
I read the many treatments of subscribers to this website. I have had RLS for 50 years. Started on Mirapex about 5 years ago but I have to increase the medication as time goes by. I know that I get RLS when I become anemic. My doc orders Iron for me, I.V.about twice a year. One good treatment is apple cider vinegar. Drink 2 tbps. in water or rub the vinegar on your legs. You can also order Caleb Freeze organic liqued from their website.The liqued has apple cider vinegr, garlic and ginger in an 8oz. bottle. It does wwork. When I get desperate I put Thermacare heat pads on my legs. The heat will last for 8 hrs and stops the RLS.
rating: 5 (25 votes)
Submitted at 2006-03-16 16:43:13
For some people, increasing your iron intake works. Also try a glass of Gaterade before you go to bed.
rating: 5 (28 votes)
Submitted by Softly at 2007-09-22 23:06:53
I know it sounds strange, but I stopped my RLS with a bar of soap placed under the sheets at the foot of the bed.
rating: 5 (131 votes)
Submitted by Dan at 2012-03-06 23:27:13
Marijuana is the remedy. This is the only thing that has worked for me.
rating: 5 (34 votes)
Submitted by Amanda at 2010-06-19 20:37:27
I came upon this website this morning seeking out ways to subside this hell I am in so I can go to sleep. I have been up for 2 days going on 3 now. I've been taking generic Requip for about a year and it has helped so much. Well, I lost my Cobra coverage. I went to get my medicene filled the other day thinking well it will be more but it's generic so...Well slap me in the face she said $190.00. I wanted to say are you f'ing kidding me, but I politely said just put it back there's no way. So I guess going through withdrawal has made it worse. Ok what I'm getting to is this. I started having severe panic attacks when a few years ago. I fought it for a long time and finally let my dr precribe Paxil. Well the panic attacks stopped and this started. Mind you I just put this all together after reading someone else's post about Zoloft. I take Zoloft now because the RLS got so bad I thought the Paxil was making in worse. I had it when I didn't know there was a name for it. Mine is in the bottom of my foot. I realized today this crap started when I started taking the anti-anxiety drugs. I have decided to wean myself off of Zoloft to see if it has any affect since I've had to go cold turkey off requip. I have tried SO many of the things people have said worked for them. A new one I found today was the lady talking about an electric blanket. Hot water has always helped for me so, it's ok to laugh, I have duck taped a heating pad around my foot and it's working. I am so ecstatic I had to write this in hopes that it will help someone else.Luckily 9 times out of 10 it is either one foot or the other so this is a better option for me than burning myself alive under an electric blanket. I am hot natured and this heating pad is annoying but this is the first relief I've had in days. This is a disease I would not wish on my worst enemy. No one knows what it's like unless you have it. I am so miserable. Well I have been, I'm feeling so good now I might actually try to go to sleep again. I may not wake back up for a few days, seriously I have been without sleep that long, even with 10 mgs of Ambien a night. Those of you with RLS know, sleeping pills shmeeping pill, if you are restless you are not sleeping no matter what. I am posting my email in case someone wants to talk. I wish I had someone to whine to that KNOWS...auntie-m @ triad. rr. com
rating: 5 (28 votes)
Submitted by No More RLS! at 2011-10-27 00:07:08
I have suffered with RLS for about 25 years now, a few things that I have found that helps ease the misrable sensations are a drastic change in temperature- like soaking in a warm bath or apply cold packs to the area but these slowly stopped working. I met a man not long ago, like to think he was sent from God, who told me one night when I was having a terrible attack of RLS who said that his grandfather use to have the same symptoms and he would tie a piece of yarn/string around his ankles fairly snug (but don't cut off circulation) and this would relieve him of his pain! I immediately got up and found some string & it worked. I couldn't believe how something so simple could do so much good, but thank you Lord, for the man and the string!
rating: 5 (25 votes)
Submitted by dieneke chan at 2012-01-01 23:42:12
Restless leg syndrome solved by eating food minus chemical additives. Organic food is for us the solution, good luck!!
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted by Summer at 2010-11-13 01:36:09
Ok, RLS has a couple of main causes, such as medication. Antihistamines, like diphenhydramine, doxylame, dramamine, etc; along with sleep aids, and ephadrine are the major deviants. Heat does help, so does going to bed a lot earlier, the second u get a little tired-that way your limbs don't have the chance to catch up to your mind's tiredbess. But i'm pregnant at the moment, and sleep is almost rare now, my RLS is now descending me slowly into madness! I'm going to ask my Dr If magnesium will be safe right now, and i'm looking for any new remedy as well. Help, I need sleep now more than ever!
rating: 5 (13 votes)
Submitted by Karen at 2012-03-21 11:25:24
3 Months ago, after going through the remedies on this site, I gave up Chocolate and Coffee. They seemed to be a common factor in many submissions. I had experienced RLS as pain, every night, for many years and am now 100% cured. Yes, totally pain free - it feels great! I often say a silent Thank you, when I wake up in the middle of the night and my legs aren't aching, to those who took the time to share on this site.
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted by Grannie at 2012-03-23 04:01:50
hot tub at bed time, stretching or tightening of muscle in the restless area, walking (or pacing).However sometimes you just can't beat it and can only wait for it to subside. somewhere I heard the episodes last an average of 20 minutes but find that to be grossly untrue. Anyone who has suffered from RLS knows that. Have been dealing with this since 8:30 and is now 1:00 am.
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted by Debbie at 2010-08-12 10:15:12
I have had restless body syndrome and insomnia for probably 30 years thanks to my mom AND dad. Went to the doctor about 10 years ago when I found out it was a real syndrome. I have been put on anti-anxiety, anti-seizure, etc meds and nothing seemed to work. Three years ago we moved to NC and I began seeing a new doctor. He put me on Percocet, 1 before bedtime and I have not had a single episode since. Also I sleep like a baby. I seriously cried tears of joy and relief.
rating: 5 (21 votes)
Submitted at 2012-01-17 21:25:10
I kid you not! On a long trip home, my legs were driving me crazy! I grabbed the Tylenol, took two and then literally inhaled a cherry tootsie pops. The bag had been sitting on the floor board and apparently had gotten warm so when I opened it a flood of aroma came tumbling out. In less than 30 seconds my legs quit moving! Totally still! The Tylenol couldn't have reacted that quickly. I agree it is in the nerves in your brain, not in your legs that produces symptoms as I have experimented since with different smells, Vicks, Bath and Body Lavender hand cream and others. While these are only quick fixes, lasting an hour to 3 or 4, I know if I'm without my Mirapex all hope is not lost! Good Luck!
rating: 5 (7 votes)
Submitted by Lisa at 2011-05-26 14:36:28
I have RLS as far back as I can remember. I didn't get help until 10 years ago, when my husband was counting my 13 kicks between kicking sessions a night. I know for sure, Sugar, SALT, chocolate, wine w/ sulphites makes it so bad. I can have one drink here and there otherwise its hell all night long. I do take a low dose of Mirapex everynight before bed. It does work as long as I don't have a bad carb day. Yoga helps alot and a walk everyday! good luck, its not a good diasease to have! also, RLS people have problems with assimulating Iron. I take slow fe iron every morn. w my multi vitamins for breakfast,
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-20 02:34:52
I used to eat chocolate every night , then decided to go on a health kick. My RLS has more than halved, now if i could only reduce the remaining half.
ps does anyone else sometimes get a tingling sensation in their toes? just wondering if this is part of my RLS or another issue, has only just started in the last couple of days.
rating: 5 (15 votes)
Submitted by Dave at 2011-01-25 23:32:18
I have had RLS since 1977 (34 years) and I was told by someone to take a tablespoon of plain yellow mustard before bed, and it REALLY does work!
rating: 5 (22 votes)
Submitted by Sam Lesko at 2011-03-25 18:12:36
For restless leg syndrome take pure coconut water, (NOT THE COCONUT MILK) This is water from green coconut. It is available at Whole Foods and other natural grocery outlets. It really works.
rating: 5 (18 votes)
Submitted by RAFE SHAW-GRAY at 2011-06-13 16:41:38
I have edema(eodema)swelling of the legs and RLS.My record,8 hours walking too painfull,sit RLT up walking again, sit RLT. Over and over and always a night. Tried EVERYTHING. I now take ANTISTAX and MSM POWDER(Google it you'll be surprised what it can do) Unbelievable 2weeks later I have 8 hours sleep,without walking!Feel a new man. People cannot believe the change in me. I have no business connection to either product. I live in Cape Town
I'm NOT a doctor but if you want you can email me and if I can help I will.
Rafesg@hotmail.com
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2011-08-14 08:57:37
There is NO rhym or reason for RLS. I have had is for about 30 yrs and suffered terribly. About 10 yrs ago I started seekng treatment. anyting to help me.....SLEEP soundly. I have been to numerous nuerologists and RLS specialist....MIRAPEX is the only thing that helps me and has been very successful. However, NO caffeine, alocohol and smoking Can help as well. I still do all three LOL....and suffer some nights. My worst nights are a change in the weather. Rain, Snow, Hot to Cold, etc. Exercise makes it worse for me. Last night was one the worst nights I had in a Very long time. I had some wine, a smoked and its raining like crazy ...........I know in the past couple yrs have developed it in my arms as well. So between my legs and my left arms i wanted to to die. The creepy crawly unable to stay still shaking kept me awake all night and I took probably 20 Mirapex in effort for some sleep. Didnt work so well. I have been through every NEUROLOGICAL test, blood work...you name it and everything was FINE. you just have to cope, stay away from triggers like alcohol caffeine sugar and smoking....get some Mirapex and SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2011-12-05 11:19:10
I have discovered that when my body lacks potassium, calcium, magnesium and zinc, I get RLS. My sister had it also. I found that if you exercise or drink a lot of water, these minerals are eliminated from your body through sweating or urination. Other things such as diuretics, like caffeine, meds even other vitamins can also cause a loss of these vitamins. Some people when they take potassium, get energy and can't sleep, so you might take the potassium earlier or try different types, which also makes a difference
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted by Gabs at 2011-12-27 10:54:55
I have had RLS for years and like most people on this site, it gets worse as I get older. I have found that Iron does help slightly and I also found in Wal-Mart a medication called restful legs, but my dose has gone from 3 tablets to sometimes 5...I have also tried the sleeptime tea and massage..my husband has cancer so my moving in bed continuously is extremely bothersome to him as well. I think I will be trying the Magnesium Citrate next..Wish me luck:)
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted by Graham at 2011-02-16 20:18:35
If you suffer from RLS like me, it seems impossible to sleep and you can't sit still. When I go to sleep I put a pillow under my legs under my thighs. It helps me sleep pretty good, it doesn't completely help, but thats the only thing that works for me. I know how bad RLS is, so I hope I help someone
rating: 5 (13 votes)
Submitted by D.Nazer at 2011-08-13 13:34:17
I have suffered from RLS for many years. It has affected my arms, legs, upper back and feet. I was introduced to Melaleuca about 5 years ago and it has been a blessing for me. I take the Vitality 6 both morning and night, Replenex 3x's a day, and Provex-plus 3x's a day. I do not drink caffeine anymore and started to drink Herbel Tea before bedtime from Melaleuca. There is also a cream called Pain-a-trate that I rub on my legs, arms, and feet at night. These are products I couldn't live without.
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted by Donald at 2012-02-24 02:41:51
I have suffered from RLS for a few years now and as I get older the symptoms have been getting worse and happening nightly. I also have this weird inflammation in my feet which may be contributing to the RLS. So far the best thing I have found is Unisom sleep gels. This helps me get to sleep eventually. I tried Aleve and Advil PM but found these to cause further inflammation in my feet. I also drink a glass of orange juice and found that relaxes me if I am kept up with the RLS.
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted by Erin at 2010-12-03 17:11:49
I have suffered with restless leg for many years -- even since childhood really and I'm now 36. My mom and sister and also late grandmother suffered from it as well. I am almost convinced, as another reviewer wrote, that it is related to lower back strain of some kind. Why? Because I tried an herbal oil remedy called 'Nightime Leg Calm' which is sold by Nature's Inventory. It's organic and completely natural. You rub some of this rosemary and other herb scented oil on your LOWER BACK and it creates a warming sensation. Your restless leg will disappear. It's only temporary and there have been one or two occasions when it didn't work for me. But most of the time, it works extremely well and I am able to sleep without a problem. I tried applying regular heat to my back but that doesn't work. I think the oil acts as a kind of muscle relaxer and calms whatever strain is causing an electrical pulse of sorts to shoot down your legs. I took an RX for this when I went on my honeymoon four years ago because I we were flying to Hawaii and I couldn't imagine being trapped on such a long flight with restless leg. The stuff backfired on me -- it worked great at first but then my body had what I found out is called a 'rebound' reaction where I needed more and more of the drug to get the same relief. It was awful. So I quit cold turkey. Now I just suffer with this and use the oil. It was terrible during my pregnancy. I also get it into my arms and upper back if it gets really bad. Try this oil -- it's only like $12 a bottle so if it doesn't work for you, no big loss. If it does -- you'll be sleeping like a baby. I hate the fact that doctors look at you sometimes like you're nuts when you tell them you have RLS. I pray somebody figures this out and finds a cure soon!
rating: 5 (23 votes)
Submitted by den at 2011-09-10 13:14:49
Hi guys. Finding this site has given me hope that I don't have t rely on pills all th time, so thank you everyone very very much.
Okay. So th thing is i've had rls for 5years. I'm 16 now. I don't get why it's so severe. I don't drink coffee, nope, no alcohol, no smoking. Not anaemic, no one I know has it. Not genetic, coz I know caucasians are more likely t get it. I'm singaporean.
Anyway this yr I googled 'uncomfortable sensations in legs' and was shocked t find there was actually a name for this shit. Problem is my parents REFUSED t believe me. At all! my dad is a doctor. But he refuses to believe me. Makes me think he's useless sometimes.
5days ago I went t a neurologist (stupid parents finally believed me after an article on it came out on a medical mag) and he prescribed me 0.5mg clonazepam. I can finally sleep without desperately twisting my legs in awkward directions for 1hour. But I can still feel it bubbling underneath. Like, not enough t bother me but still there.
So i'll really like to get off the pills. I get th notion that whatever doctor I consult is gonna shove me with more pills. I've tried going to a tweena (uhm, chinese chiropractor?), chiropractor, blood test... Nth. As I said i'm asian and it's apparently not common here.
Out of 5years of sleep th only night I could truly sleep was when my mum was massaging my legs th entire time until I fell asleep. Unfortunately, no one is willing t massage my legs.
So please please tell me what I can do other than pills. I'm still young, I don't want to rely on pills all my life.
So far, i've found no remedies. Stretching definitely helps -for awhile. Th best way i've found is to do as much of a split you can do and stay like that for as long you can endure. But it's terribly shortterm.
Anyone can help me? Please email me-
Denchinwl@hotmail.com
And keep fighting guys it's th WORST shit ever. I'd rather have pain, actually. At least you can deal with pain.
God help us all.
rating: 5 (12 votes)
Submitted by Brandon at 2011-09-14 10:47:46
I have big bulky muscle bound legs. They hold great strength. The problem is they never shut down... I am 32 this problem started for me at the age of 7. I would awake at night screaming and crying with agonizing pain in my legs. This intense pain is nearly imposable to describe in words, but it was in every fiber of my entire legs. My dad said that it was growing pains and showed a deep sympathy. As an adult this leg problem is no longer painful. Now it has turned into a feeling that I would far rather replace with pain. I wouldn't trade it for the growing pains that I felt as a child but I DO beat my legs with my fists for relief. I have recently moved on to a carpenters hammer (no lie). I beat myself in the legs hard with a hammer for hours some nights. Sure it is hard to walk the next day but it is better than the feeling that the nerves in my legs are being pulled. I recommend the hammer to anyone who is brave enough to try. If you hate your legs as badly as I do then you don't have a whole lot to lose. I often imagine how relieving it would feel to have my annoying legs ran over by an automobile. Maybe I will try that next! If anyone wants to hit my legs with a sludge hammer I will gladly let them.
rating: 5 (36 votes)
Submitted by Kerri at 2009-07-14 09:16:03
I began taking a liquid supplement (for other reasons)cal/mag/zinc, and the RLS stopped. When I missed a few days it started again. I stumbled on my own remedy.
rating: 5 (16 votes)
Submitted by Gracie at 2006-04-24 17:55:40
Curing my 2 decade case of achilles tendonitis cured my 2 decade case of restless leg syndrome. After trying many treatments for the achilles problem, what worked was Z-coil spring shoes (no financial connection whatsoever) daily for several months.
rating: 5 (19 votes)
Submitted by gigi at 2012-02-26 19:09:21
I have had restless legs for a long time now and my Dr used to prescribe Quinine for me, which worked great & I would not have them when I was taking the quinine. However, my great health insurance company decided I did not need this medication so stopped paying for it. My daughter (who is a nurse) suggested tonic water, but before that, I found Hyland's leg cramp relief pills (they are in grocery stores as well as drug stores) and they have a regular one, as well as a PM one (which is the one I got). This is amazing & really doexs work!!! And because it is not a drug, you can take 1 or more than is suggested & it will not hurt you. It has worked for me, so perhaps you might want to try it out,,.
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2005-10-31 00:26:01
Neurofeedback cured me of restless leg syndrome. Go to a provider that is associated with a research group (such as EEG Spectrum). I did this once per week for 30 minutes for about 10 weeks.
rating: 5 (28 votes)
Submitted at 2012-03-20 14:51:47
My doctor told me that there are recent studies that 800 mg of Vitamin E every night has been shown effective against RSL. Since I've been doing this my twitching has disappeared and my RSL is much better. I have one 'bad' night every few weeks when it used to be every night.
rating: 5 (6 votes)
Submitted by scotsdoc at 2011-05-16 16:51:15
Never, ever assume that fasciculations (muscle twitching) is RLS. If you start to experience any strange sensations in your legs i.e. calfs, seek professional advice first. Over 80% of patients diagnosed with M.S, M.D,'s and ALS had, for months, even years, assumed they had RLS. Consultants at the Institute of Neurological Sciences in Glasgow are seeing this more and more frequently thanks to self diagnosis due to Web Sites and Forums. If you can describe your symptoms as :- tingling, pins & needles, crawling, creepy, bubbles, pin-pricks, dots, insects under my skin,(to quote but a few) then be aware that these are also signs of something more serious. If you go on to describe muscles twitching to the point that you can actually see your skin move then please speak to the people who are qualified to help you. Do not assume, because some stranger on a web-site with similar symptoms has been diagnosed with RLS, that this is what you have. Do not trust your life to a P.C. We are here for a reason and we are trying to get this message across on as many websites as possible, to as many people as possible. Sadly, so far, almost 50% of our postings are being removed before viewing. A lot of fasciculations are quite harmless and we are not here to scare people, just to make people more aware. The remedy for twitching, annoying, jumping legs is quite simple:- 300g of Magnesium Sulphate Heptahydrate (commonly known as Epsom Salts) in a hot (but comfortable) bath, every day for a week then every 2nd day until you can cut down to twice a week. If this gives you no relief then please seek professional help.
rating: 5 (48 votes)
Submitted by Kayla at 2011-07-22 06:12:09
So tonight was my first night in years with symptoms, I am only 17 so as a child i suffered from the symptoms of RLS horribly. As I read through the remedies tonight, from about 3 a.m to about 5 a.m I saw several people suggesting Ben Gay and pain reliever rubs and sprays, I knew that I had some so I tried it, within second, no joke, maybe 3 seconds, the annoyance had vanished. My mother and I both were astonished. I recently broke my hip so I have enough pain and hell to deal with, the RLS just had to go.
rating: 5 (16 votes)
Submitted by Jenn at 2011-06-23 12:39:09
I have terrible rls. It has gotten worse over the years it seems. I have tried so many things to see what contributes to it, becuz I can go days and weeks without it.
The only thing that works for me is exercise. When I have it- I do rigorous lunges and squats til the muscles burn (but u have to push to your threshold) A good 5 minutes of leg burn can calm my legs and relax for the whole night. Good luck to all
rating: 5 (18 votes)
Submitted at 2011-08-22 22:13:40
I have suffered with RLS since I was a little kid. I'm 26 now and I have found something that works most of the time for me several years ago. Sleep with a fan directly on your feet and legs. Most times when mine acts up this seems to help.
rating: 5 (18 votes)
Submitted at 2006-03-08 21:10:38
I've found that a single aspirin usually does the trick in calming restless legs -- usually within a 1/2 hour or so.
rating: 5 (33 votes)
Submitted by Elaine at 2007-12-28 20:54:30
I enquired of my Naturopath and he recommended IODORAL (high potency iodine/potassium Iodide supplement)12.5 mg. I started with two tablets a day and after one week I had no restless leg syndrome. I am now reducing the dosage to one a day or every other day before bed and I am still fine. I am so thankful to find this cure after a few years with this problem. I hope this will help other people to sleep peacefully and also their significant other.
rating: 5 (19 votes)
Submitted by Jeff at 2012-01-23 21:54:18
I commented here in the middle of December 2012 (about a page back). I am the now 52 year old that has slept on the floor for the past 25 years because the hardness of the floor against my leg muscles offers relief. Even then I do not get to sleep until in the wee hours of the morning. Reading this site, I have tried some things and can now tell you that taking magnesium, potassium, and zinc do not work. I tried tonic water because I read that tonic water contains quinine and that quinine used to be prescribed for leg cramps. After the tonic water did not work, I read that tonic water does not contain enough quinine to actually work. The next cure was a bar of soap in the bed, and that just makes the dog sneeze.
One night I took my wife's prescription cough syrup that contained hydrocodone. I took about 50% more than her dosage (I am bigger than her). Miracle of miracle, I went to bed, closed my eyes and woke up six hours later. My first night's sleep in 25 years and in a bed to boot. I was so happy that I did not know how to act. I used up the cough syrup and then went to the medicine cabinet and found all the old bottles of prescription pain killers. They not only relieved the pain in my legs, but they made me drowsy as well. I was not worried about addiction because I want to be addicted to sleep. Now I have used up the old prescriptions and am facing another sleepless night. I am almost ready to cry knowing the misery that will come tonight after several weeks of sleeping like a human being.
Oh well I am finishing my tonic water night cap and finding a bar of soap.
Good Night
rating: 5 (20 votes)
Submitted by Gail Kessler at 2012-01-26 22:58:15
If I take 1200 mg of calcium a day--600 in the am and 600 at bedtime--I don't have problems with RLS. Sometimes I have to take the pm dose earlier in the evening if I'm lying on the couch watching tv.
rating: 5 (4 votes)
Submitted by Roger G. at 2009-01-20 13:32:01
I’ve been using this product called Restulex for my RLS. It works really well. It’s basically a combination of minerals and vitamins. But it’s mixed in specific amounts to be potent in preventing restless legs. Like I said, it’s the best thing I’ve come across yet.
rating: 5 (23 votes)
Submitted by John Green at 2011-03-29 00:56:06
I have RLS too and had it for 20+ years. I was a runner and about 20-21 years ago I stopped running due to bad knees. I gained weight. I began having leg problems that later I found out was RLS. 5 years ago I had open heart surgery and lost 34 pounds, my RLS disappeared. By last year I had gained about 12 pounds back and my RLS returned. Subsequently I lost about 15 pounds and my RLS disappeared again. So, the people talking about back pressure or pressures may have hit the cusp of the problem. When I was heavy I had problems, when I lost the weight I also lost the RLS symptoms.
rating: 5 (19 votes)
Submitted by Susan at 2011-09-28 02:19:48
Apparently I have suffered from rls for most of my life - just didn't realize what it was until recently. Don't remember why but my method of treatment for most of my life was 4 inch ace bandages. Have routinely wrapped both legs at night and for years this pretty much kept the syptoms in check. However, in recent years the pain is accelerating and I added biofreeze with DMSO. My doctor has also been helpful in supplying pain pills as long as I keep the use under control. Still spend many nights just pacing until I walk the pain away. My mother did the same thing. My mother's legs did not bother her toward the end of her life but apparently that was due to the Alzheimer's. Not a great trade.
rating: 5 (15 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-30 00:47:16
After suffering too many sleepless nights of rls I decided I would find a remedy. Thinking that it felt kind of like heat, I figured I should find something that draws heat out. So I found this coconut lime spray that we use in the summer for sunburns and it was like instant relief. I will repeat:
COCONUT LIME, AFTER SUN SPRAY. by the life brand.
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted by Sue Hewing at 2011-08-06 04:40:14
I've found that the Bach Flower Remedy Vervain really works for me. Take a few drops in water when the feelings start and mine usually goes away within minutes...brilliant!
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted by Pete at 2006-03-19 22:44:15
Calcium Lactate 6-9 a day from Standard Process or from a health food store
rating: 5 (18 votes)
Submitted by Shannon at 2010-06-21 01:05:14
This works! I was hesitant to try it but my doctorsuggested it to me. Take 3 magnesium with bone health each night. You can buy these at wal mart in the vitamin section. I take them each night. It is unreal how they work!!!
rating: 5 (16 votes)
Submitted by ellie at 2011-10-14 11:50:11
I suffered for decades with ever increasing rls. Tried mj, ace bandages, acupuncture, perscription drugs,reike, hypnotism, etc. etc. I have spent, over the years thousands of dollars trying to relive my symptoms. Now I have found a very inexpensive treatment - MAGNETS!
Strong magnets! Ordered them from a website (google magnets). It could cost you less than $10.00 for wonderful, restful sleep!
I tape them to my leg and have never slept better. I haven't had a good night's sleep for well over 10 years but now I sleep through the night! Friends are all remarking how good I look!
No pills, no more mj (which helped a bit).
I have been using magnets for a couple of months now and have not noticed them losing their effectiveness. And best of all - they cause no problems!
rating: 5 (16 votes)
Submitted by danny at 2009-01-06 13:25:54
ATTENTION PEOPLE ANYBODY WHO READS THIS
i HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RELIVED MYSELF OF RLS...I'M 19 YEARS OLD AND HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING WITH THE SYNDROME SINCE i WAS 8 PLEASE PLEASE LISTEN TO MY WORDS OF ADVICE AND SPREAD THEM..THIS IS A COMPLETLEY MEDICINE FREE REMEDY AND VERY CHEAP PLEASE LISTEN
-First off I'm going to tell you all that stress is a major issue with your leg problems...the more stress you have (particularly in women since the body tends to store most built up stress in the legs) the harder it is for your legs and arms to relax...
If your like me both your legs and arms twitch..
For awhile I was on mirapex (if your problem is really very servere perhaps you shouldnt drop your medication instantly but instead slowly ease off of it)
I began to hate taking the medication and instead first started off takin Iron and Calcium supplements along with Vitamin B12 and B2...just to feed my body the nutrients it really needed...
I also found a (expensive) drink called Monavie and when I drank it I noticed that since it had so many fruits (over 30) in it that I got alot of what my body was missing....that and the supplements helped a good amount in preparing my body to be able to handle this problem....
HOWEVER as much nutrients as you give your body you have to be confident yourself that you are willing to get over this disease and you are willing to do whatever it takes to do it....
Half the time alot of diseases are triggered or strengthened by the idea of thought (I'm not going to get philisophical on you just try what I say or don't I dont care)
I began meditation and started about 10 minutes in the morning and before I went to bed..I can also recommend looking online for crystals and stones that induce sleep as I sleep with one everynight and I dont even get enough time to worry about my legs because I am asleep.
The meditation is good not only for your mind but your body and soul..it relaxes you and calms your mind and body down...10 minutes can do wonders
I also began doing stretches in the moring and night...going for routine workout stretches to yoga stretches every morning....10 minutes (thats nothing)
After awhile I went without my medication and when I still had problems I used Aroma Therapy..go to Bed Bath& Beyond they have sleep lotions and fragences which work awesome and smeel good as hell.
BUT (AND PLEASE TAKE MY FOLLOWING WORDS CAREFULLY)
All of this seemed small in comparison to what I have to say next...I'm not going to go into full detail about it,you can look it up on the internet and if you choose not to believe me fine, but if your having this problem with your legs why wouldnt you try anything?
Anyways going further with my meditation I began to get into a healing called Reiki (or Usui Reiki)
look it up I'm not going to say much excpet that anyone can learn this if taught from a proper teacher..and no it is not as crazy as it sounds...
It essentially allows me to heal my legs and arms whenever they are tense..I can feel it happening I swear it works..it's not voodoo or anything and Reiki has SOO many more benefits trust me people..I do not have any more problems with my legs and arms...and its all natural
SO IF YOU ARE STILL SUFFEREING WITH THIS PROBLEM PLEASE I GUARENTEE MY FOLLOWING METHODS WILL HELP YOU
NO LONGER DO I DREAD GOING TO SLEEP JUST TAKE EVERYTHING I SAY SERIOUSLY AND PLEASE TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW WITH THIS PROBLEM ABOUT THIS
THANKYOU
rating: 5 (49 votes)
Submitted by Matt at 2009-01-28 10:37:45
Currently, there is an ongoing study at MicroNutra Health for a new homeopathic named Restulex. They are giving it away for free as long as you monitor your symptoms for the first few days. It sure beats taking Alzheimer drugs...
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted by Anonymouse at 2010-06-29 19:19:23
I have RLS, but did not realize what is was until it became the illness du jour.
Most of the time I have to wiggle my legs for a few minutes before I fall asleep, then I will usually fall asleep. But as I have trouble sleeping, I've been taking OTC sleeping pills for a few years. Now I've learn the antihistimines they use make RLS worse! But without pills, I can't sleep at all.
One night I woke up and felt like my legs were on fire. I knew that Calcium and Magnesium helps the muscles relax, so I took some Cal-Mag Fizz in some juice, and within an hour got relief.
I also have problems with Anemia, so I have to be sure to take Iron suppliments. However, I don't take B Vits make me nauseos, even if I put them in a smoothy.
I tried Hyland's Restful Legs, didn't do a thing for me.
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted by creepycrawly at 2012-02-02 23:41:16
I have suffered from extreme pain in my arms and legs. I found the ONYL thing to help is to take 200 mg of Ultram at 1700 hours. Then, at 2000 hrs I take Lexapro 40mg, an Latuda 40 ms. Then at bedtime I take 100 mg of seroquel.
The trick seemed to be taking the Ultram at 1500 before the ceepy crawling starts, then waiting four hours for the other stuff to start working
this regimen has help when nothing helped . I plan to stay on it when nothing else helped.
rating: 5 (10 votes)
Submitted by D.A.Alan at 2012-01-27 22:56:39
Has anyone noticed that a Full Moon really makes your legs worst? I am 49 and have had problems since I don't even remember when. I to found this site at 3am, and the Shoe Laces are helping? Thank You who ever started this post. I really thought I was alone with this Crap!!!! Someone PLEASE HELP US!!!!!!!!!!
rating: 5 (11 votes)
Submitted by Allison Witcher at 2010-06-23 14:16:05
I have suffered from restless leg syndrome for years. Finally one day a few years ago it occured to me that maybe if my legs were restless I should fatigue them. So, whether I'm in bed or on a plane, when my legs get restless, I find a way to fatigue them. Sometimes I just stand against a wall and lower myself to an almost sitting position. Hold this pose for as long as possible. Your quadriceps will start to burn. Hold it for as long as you can stand it. Rest for a minute and then do it again. I have found that this fatigues my muscles and I almost always have immediate relief. At night, I can usually go right to sleep after doing this technique. Sometimes I just stand next to my bed and bend my knees enough to engage my leg muscles.
If I'm in a movie theater or on a plane and I can't get out of my seat, I just lift my legs (one at a time) so my foot is several inches off the ground and hold that for as long as I can stand it. It may take a little longer this way, but it still eventually fatigues the muscle and relieves the restlessness.
Let me know if this works for anyone else!
rating: 5 (41 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-14 13:03:46
Restless legs were driving me crazy and keeping me awake at night, especially after a day of hiking. I found instant relief with a product called Natural Calm - it is ph balanced magnesium citrate. A tablespoon in a cup of hot water and it immediately stops it. I have to wonder if this problem isn't just some sort of deficiency or imbalance state.
rating: 5 (19 votes)
Submitted by Maxine at 2007-02-20 00:56:46
After 20 years of insomnia misery with RLS and after trying every supplement under the sun, I tried a cup of warm Malt Ovaltine before bed and it really works for me. I sometimes still wake up about 2 am and nip restlessness in the bud with another small snack, maybe 6 oz milk & 1 T peanut butter. This routine has truly changed my life. (I had always believed it was unhealthy to eat after dinner. Wrong!!)
rating: 5 (24 votes)
Submitted by Sandi at 2010-09-19 16:20:52
I've suffered from restless legs for at least 30 years and also had leg cramps as a child. It became progressively worse after I retired to the point that I was unable to stay in bed more than 2 hours at a time. It was especially bad on the days when I worked out with weights at the gym. I was on lots of natural supplements seeking some kind of remedy, but I was still unable to relax at night. I had to stand up to watch TV. One day I was talking with a young, muscular man who works at Natural Grocers about natural sleep aides and described my symptoms. He asked if I had ever tried magnesium. I said that I was taking calcium/magnesium supplements 4 times per day but thought, perhaps I was overdoing the calcium as I also get lots of calcium in dairy products. He explained that calcium helps muscles contract while magnesium makes them relax. He suggested that I up my magnesium intake with Ionic Fizz. From that day on, I have discontinued the calcium/magnesium supplements and use the Ionic Fizz before bed at night (it dissolves in water). It has completely stopped the restless legs and I sleep like a baby. I go to bed at 10 and wake up at 6 or 7 a.m. I hope everyone suffering from restless legs will give it a try! I feel overjoyed with my new 'normal' life!
rating: 5 (29 votes)
Submitted by The Plan at 2009-04-15 12:05:16
Simple cure for Restless Leg Syndrome,drink a 'PINT' of water,a SMALL GLASS is not enough.
try it with these other things -
Headaches - Dehydration
Constipation - Dehydration
Coughs - Dehydration
Piles - Dehydration
the list goes on.....
rating: 5 (34 votes)
Submitted by Todey at 2007-11-01 00:17:33
Exercising has work very well for me. I got the idea of really ramping up my routine at movemylegs com which is a RLS specific forum
rating: 5 (7 votes)
Submitted by C in Colorado at 2010-01-17 11:44:34
My husband started suffering with restless leg syndrome this fall. It was very distressing and kept him awake every night. He did go to the Doctor and even though they don't know what causes it, he prescribed over the counter Magnessium supplements and that has completely taken care of the problem. He is taking one Twinlabs 400 mg.capsule a day and no more problems. I can see on the web that many Doctors are trying to make a buck off of this and I'm glad our Doc sticks to simple solutions. Give this a try and save yourself from this distressing mineral deficiency.
rating: 5 (28 votes)
Submitted by Tracy at 2010-02-22 21:34:41
Thank God this is finally recognized!
I went for so long without anyone understanding (including doctors) what was going on with me!
I was told several years ago to try a Dove Soap bar at the foot of my bed under the sheets. It actually works quite well. I also have started the standard magnesium and potassium remedy. Prunes seem to do the trick the best...yummy!! (does double duty too!)
rating: 5 (20 votes)
Submitted by Muis at 2010-12-18 18:11:29
For me, sleeping on a bed with any metal in it (coils!) makes it very much worse. I've bought a new mattress and sleep a lot better.
Going off Paxil was for me, as for someone else on the forum, an important (if far from easy) step. I now take cipramil which still causes some akathisia (with these medications, that's often what it is - but it's a condition very similar to RSL, and sometimes indistinguishable from it), but considerably less.
Iron is important to take IF you have (slight) anemia. If you don't, beware; taking too much iron carries some grave health risks.
rating: 5 (4 votes)
Submitted at 2011-03-04 17:57:00
I am a 56 year old male that has RLS for many years. There is a simple, cheap cure that will vastly improve your sleep. Simple take a 400 mg Magnesium pill before bedtime. It works like magic.
rating: 5 (28 votes)
Submitted by Tei at 2011-05-14 22:37:23
First offthat this is a forum for people with RLS to support one another iswonderful.
It's hard to describe it to someone without it and sometimes they don't understand how much it affects your life. I've found that taking ibuprofen or tylnol pm bfore bed helps me alot but my RLS feels like an achiness mixed with a pulling. When it's really bad I pull my knees up under me to fall asleep. I think it cuts off my blood supply to my legs a little and numbs them. I've had symptoms of RLS since I was a little girl and just was (finally)diagnosed at 30. My DR put me on Mirapex but I've heard bad stuff about it. Also I'm on Celebrex and heard SSRI's can increase the symptoms so I'm terrible right now!
rating: 5 (19 votes)
Submitted by No Longer Restless. at 2012-01-04 01:15:07
After reading all the ways to help rls, I decided to start at the top and try them all. Last night was the first time I did not have symptoms! I am 5ft 3in and weigh 121 lbs. I am handicapped and limited in my abilities. I cannot walk and have limited use of my arms. I have diabetic neuropathy, coronary artery disease, iron anemia, deficient calcium, vitamins D, B12, and folate. I started drinking herbal tea, 2 cups per day and one at night that contains camomile, rosehips, and red hibiscus. I ate two salads containing savoy, dried cranberries, and unsalted sunflower seeds. I ate two homemade (healthly) oatmeal walnut cookies with dark chocolate chunks. I took a hot milk bath (foaming Calgon). I took 7000iu Vitamin D, two B12, One Folate, and two calcium, zinc magnesium (combined) capsules. (I had lab work first to check my levels. They were extremely low). I did some simple leg lifts and bends and then I put on a pair of pantyhose to go to bed. I did not drink coffee or alcohol. I upped my water intake. I wore sheer-to-waist, not support or control top. (Men trying this would need queen size and would need to cut part of pant for comfort.) I had one can of soda with caffiene early in day (before 8PM) and drank 2 glasses of diet tonic water (which contains quinine). Slept with 2 hard couch pillows, one under feet, one under knees. Kept head lower than heart and feet. Not sure which factor worked, but it DID work! Hope this helps someone. I am curious about the 'soap remedy'. Do you just put a bar of soap in the bed down by your feet? Reminds me of the old wife's tale of putting a knife under the bed during labor to 'cut' the pain. Does this work? How??
rating: 5 (6 votes)
Submitted by brian at 2012-02-29 20:39:56
this is for rdl restless leg syndrom, this may sound weird but i tried it and it worked wonders for me. put a bar of dove or ivory soap under ur sheets down by ur legs . no more rdl my mom said she tried it and was also amazed.
rating: 5 (17 votes)
Submitted by Casey Lehl at 2012-03-03 17:45:52
I am a 28 y/o male, I have rls really bad when I take anything with diphenhydramine in it. Well, last night I had to take a couple tylenol pm's because it all there was and I got rls really bad. I finally took a womens multi vitamin and in 30 minutes I was out, for the whole night.
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted by bkir at 2012-03-18 12:33:50
restless leg syndrome - i suffered from this for years - my daughter told me to put a bar of soap into my bed and leave it there - it worked - when the soap isnt there the rls comes back - i aso keep a bar in my car and in my pocket if i am working on the computer for long periods of time - sounds crazy but it works......good luck
rating: 5 (4 votes)
Submitted by Lois at 2012-04-08 14:52:49
My RLS has been getting worse every month even though I take clonazepam and mirapex, lyrica (fibromyalgia) and cymbalta!
Out of desperation one night, I rubbed on some menthol type gel for aches and pains (almost any type will do, like Bengay or blue stuff) I didn't want to get the gel all over the bed so i dug out a 'knee Brace' that I pull up above my knees where it hurts most. A MIRACLE FOR ME!!
It works very well( most of the time)!! I now use two, one above the knee, one below. I just bought new ones at dollar plus, for my arms which are affected also. NOW...THE BEST THING IS that I bought them in the DOLLAR STORE!! They are dark blue, tube shaped , (U PULL IT ON OVER YOUR FOOT UP TO YOUR KNEE) and stretchy @ 6 inches high and maybe 8 inches around. The name on the label says SIBOTE SPORTING GOODS. I bought 2 of each type....all different sizes for calf or thigh. For me, this is a life saver.
My mom suggested putting saran wrap around the area and then putting on the brace. I might try it if things get worse..
Questions for anyone:
Does Mirapex help anyone?
Did anyone think that they were getting Parkinsens disease...i read that the symptoms are similiar.
What type of doctor do u use?
Thank u all for sharing your stories..it really helps me a lot!! I didn't know that others had this same problem and how badly if affects your lives..God Bless.
T
rating: 5 (9 votes)
Submitted at 2012-04-17 15:11:18
I have really bad RLS and i find if I lie down on my back with my legs in the air up against a wall or something it helps a LOT. I usually stay like that for 30 mins or so. depends on how bad ur legs are. Just be careful. if u stay like that too long your legs may go numb!
rating: 5 (6 votes)
Submitted by J-Mo at 2012-04-20 14:33:51
The best thing I have found for my twitching legs (I have periodic movement disorder while awake and asleep as well as some rls) is to use an athletic brace on my ankles. It is the kind that crosses in front of the ankle and applies pressure there, I got them at Walgreens. It has really helped me as pressure seems to be the thing that makes me be able to relax and sleep. Sometimes I go to the couch because I can wedge my feet up against the back of the couch if I don't have by braces on. I also take 3 200 mg tablets of magnesium and a multivitamin w/iron, which has taken a good sized edge off of my problem, but the braces have made the most difference of all. I really feel for those suffering with this, its hard for someone who doesn't have this to understand what it's like.
rating: 5 (6 votes)
Submitted by little at 2009-04-09 08:03:05
I have noticed that my somewhat severe RLS seems to worsen if I consume alcohol in excess for a few nights in a row. Why do I drink alcohol? Oh yeah... because it helps me deal with STRESS. THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO RESTLESS LEGS IS STRESS! For people with RLS, if you are trying to relax, rather than have a drink before bed, instead do 1 of 5 things. Either throw on some running gear and run through the streets of your neighborhood like the village idiot until you simply cannot run anymore. Another great easy to do remedy which can be used in combination with other remedies is a nice hot 10 minute long leg/calf/foot bath or even just a long hot shower. My RLS is/was so bad that I was prescribed a high dose of Klonopin to take at bedtime as well as Halcion (both of these meds are benzodiazepines so they act as a depressant on the central nervous system.) For severe RLS, they work quite well however they both carry the danger of becoming dependent and unfortunately lose their effectiveness as tolerance develops over time making these drugs A good choice but ONLY AS A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION!!! PLEASE DO NOT START TAKING BENZODIAZEPINES FOR RLS UNLESS YOU ARE COMPLETELY UNABLE TO SLEEP FOR QUITE A FEW DAYS IN A ROW AND NOTHING ELSE IS EFFECTIVE. ONE LAST THING TO NOTE ABOUT BENZOS IS THAT IT CAN BE VERY DANGEROUSD IF ABRUPT CESSATION OCCURS (ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THEM FOR A WHILE.) PLEASE LISTEN TO YOUR DOCTOR WHO WILL MOST LIKELY TAPER YOU OFF OF BENZOS BECAUSE THERE IS A RISK OF SEIZURE AND EVEN DEATH IF YOU TRY TO GO COLD TURKEY. I got tired of taking pharmys all the time so I continued the search for a cure to my flailing legs and arms. One night while battling a pretty bad case of RLS I decided to use a small amount of marijuana (look for a strain with a very high indica to sativa ratio.) I happen to have a medicinal license so it is legal for me but it really helped.
rating: 4 (33 votes)
Submitted by Barry Buchter at 2010-07-26 00:55:32
Actually I found somethings that might help. One doctor said to put soap between your box spring and mattress. 2 -4 non scented plain bars of soap. It worked for awhile but then stopped. I did notice that if I turn the air on in the house and have a fan blowing on my legs it helps a lot and gets rid of it about 98% of the time. The temperature thing usually helps when my R.L.S. really starts to kick up, which is usually every night. Try it and see if it works on you. It probably depends on the person.
rating: 4 (19 votes)
Submitted by WonderMom at 2011-10-17 08:44:31
I am pregnant with my fourth child and my RLS has flared up with every pregnancy. Last night after tossing and turning and rubbing for at least two hours, I came across this forum. I tried walking around for a while, but when I returned to bed.... RLS STILL plagued me. So I had an idea, I grabbed some refrigerated cold packs (the ones that go in a lunch box) and I wrapped them tightly around my calf muscles.... AHHHHHH!!! Sweet Relief!! I haven't slept that well in ... well EVER!! :) Hope this helps ;)
rating: 4 (15 votes)
Submitted at 2010-01-04 21:22:14
I take three times daily 5 tablets of Brewers Yeast for Restless Leg Syndrome. In addition I also take Vitamin B and Magnesium.
rating: 4 (24 votes)
Submitted at 2012-04-25 06:23:03
I find that if I fall asleep when I am tired the RLS stays away. It is when I force myself to stay up after my body says 'go to bed' that my RLS kicks in to high gear. I know this isn't possible for everybody, but it's something to shoot for!
rating: 4 (16 votes)
Submitted by PurpleWake at 2010-04-12 12:56:23
I suffer from RLS and sometimes when things are slow at work. My legs start tingling like crazy. So I use tape. I roll the tape rolls back and forth to keep the leg stimulated.
You will need two rolls of packing tape.
Place each roll under a foot and gentle rock back and forth this will keep you legs busy at work.
I am still search for a trick that works at home...
rating: 4 (15 votes)
Submitted by Harry Conley at 2012-01-27 16:30:34
By far the best medication I have found for restless leg syndrome is Neupro skin patches which allow rotigidine to gradually move into the blood stream over a 24 hour period. Unfortunately this medication was taken off the market not because of any ill side effect but because the active ingredient leaked through a membrane on the patch. The company solved this problem and now the medicine is available (at high cost) all over the world except in USA. The FDA refuses to allow it. Does the FDA know something the rest of the world does not? I doubt it. The FDA may have other nonmedical reasons.
rating: 4 (10 votes)
Submitted by John at 2011-08-29 03:30:12
Finally something worked for me. I've had restless leg syndrome for several years. Tried many things, nothing seemed to work. A couple of weeks ago I told about my problem to my masseur and he said this is because my bladder meridian is blocked. He showed me the points on my calf and told me to massage them. He told me to press them hard untill I feel the pain, to massage it clock wise eight times and than backwards eight times, than release, and repeat. I did it for 15 minutes. And this unbearable feeling just vanished. I still sometimes feel like it's coming, but I quickly do the maasage and it goes away. The bladder meridian goes through the middle of your calf. Google bladder meridian and you will find pictures where the points are. Good luck.
rating: 4 (9 votes)
Submitted at 2010-06-26 21:37:37
i either take a steaming hot shower. or just stick my whole leg in steaming hot water. something about the heat relaxes my muscles. and the after that no more pain.
rating: 4 (13 votes)
Submitted by Wen at 2011-12-28 14:23:27
RLS stinks! It is agony to feel that need to move the legs all the time. I would get into big trouble at school while growing up and having teachers always telling me 'Stop bouncing your legs!'
I tried just about everything I could (without going to a doc because I hate docs) and nothing worked. The best solution I found up until a month ago was to sleep with my feet pressed against the bottom bed rail. As the fire inside the knees and calves would start, I could press my feet hard into the bed rail and that would let me experience some relief until my sleep pills (valarian) would kick in all the way.
One day I was doing some research on natural mood medications and found a site talking about the experimental use of nicotine in non-smokers to help anxiety issues. So I decided to use the 1 mg nicotine mint about an hour before bed so I could see if my mood was better.
I was amazed that night because I did feel much better. So I kept doing it for about a week. Then I realized that not only was I feeling better with my mood, but the RLS had STOPPED!
I decided to stop taking the nicotine before bed and just take it periodically at work when needed, but within two days the RLS was back!
So now I am back to taking that small amount before bed and WOW does it help!
rating: 4 (13 votes)
Submitted at 2010-12-22 06:33:18
Run in place for 4-5 minutes. Then it is gone. I am,able to crawl back in bed and snooze.
rating: 4 (21 votes)
Submitted by Will at 2011-06-06 01:55:07
I don't have a remedy, but here's my story.. I started taking a generic of Prozac about three months now, it has done wonders for me, but I give all the glory to God about that. Anyway when I go to bed at night it usually get RLS, not only in my legs, but in my arms also ( arms may be worse than legs in my situation. ) its a side effect from the medication.. Usually if I get up & set in a chair as I am now, it goes away. One night I even had it in my back!!! But the benefits far out way the negatives!
rating: 4 (16 votes)
Submitted by Wombat at 2011-12-31 23:42:41
Hi! I've had restless leg syndrome for about 7 years now. I broke my leg three years ago and had to use Vicodin. I discovered that Vicodin not only reduced my pain but relieved the restless leg syndrome completely. I'm ashamed to admit that I continued to use one tablet of Vicodin at night for the past three years until I couldn't get it anymore (don't ask). After one day of not taking the Vicodin my RLS returned. I did not want to take any of the medications for RLS because I have read that they only last for a few years before you build a tolerance. I tried magnesium, iron, vitamin b complex, apple cider vinegar, blackstrap molasses, etc and none of it helped. I finally went to a chiropractor and told him I needed help with RLS. He performed a quick test by asking me to straighten my legs out and put my chin to my chest. He asked if I felt any tightening in my legs. I told him not only did I have tightening in my legs but in my lower back as well. He told me that I should not have any sensation in my legs while putting my chin to my chest. He suspected that I had a bulging disc in my lower back (I had no xrays to show him so it could not be confirmed). I agreed to see him once a week for back adjustments and traction for four weeks. I'm happy to announce that after my third adjustment and traction session, I no longer had any issues with RLS. I'm hoping this is going to rid me of this problem. I'm sure I will have to continue seeing the chiropractor for a while and do the daily stretching exercises he recommended. I hope this helps other people!
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-02 01:22:58
I've suffered with rls for about seven years. I use a percussion massager with some success. But the absolute best remedy is marajuana. I don't usually keep it around but when I do it means absolutely no rls. Plus you get to sleep fast.
rating: 4 (55 votes)
Submitted by RON HERSHEY at 2012-03-06 20:52:55
My wife has rls . We found that
TONIC WATER helps ! it must contain
quinine ! it taste aweful but seems
to work and is relately inexspensive
Ron n Karen
rating: 4 (11 votes)
Submitted at 2010-07-06 23:31:16
I have been a long time RLS sufferer. I found through a diet of no carbs stopped it cold. Plus losing wieght,lowering BP, and getting rid of chronic heartburn. I use to bang my legs together to stop it but that really started to hurt and wake up my wife. If I have more than 60g of carbs in a day,I'm pretty sure i'm going to have an attack that night.
rating: 4 (21 votes)
Submitted by Michelle at 2011-10-19 04:02:07
I was in bad shape tonight with my legs. I was reading a bunch of these remedies. I can't do any thing like biofreez ect. I have really sensitive skin. So I used a heating pad. I started it on my lower back and just worked my way down to my feet. I say my feet because they twich the most all the time. Also I did some leg and feet stretches. I hope this helps some one in need. My suggestion is to try a bunch of things to you find one that works.
rating: 4 (13 votes)
Submitted by Tony James at 2012-01-28 03:33:11
I suffered from restless legs now I do not, I found my cure but do not know if it would be the same for every one, it is all down to what I eat and when.
I no longer eat anything after about 9.30 pm. Then just before bedtime with my last cup of tea I have a small round of toast ( Bread) because of my condition I am a coeliac my bread has to be re heated so I toast it.
I find this works every time.
Prior to this (discovery) I used to wake up every night at 2am legs very hot and the usual twitching, I would take a gaviscone tablet sometimes 2 if it persisted and that would work every time.
It will not work taking medication before the event only after, why I do not know.It would appear to me that my personal condition is to do with the acids in the stomach, A few things I can tolerate are, a glass of sherry, and a chocolate drink.
I hope this helps someone, best of luck
Tony
rating: 4 (13 votes)
Submitted by Jessica at 2009-07-29 19:17:30
It seems weird, but I treat (not cure) my restless legs using a fan, an adjustable fan with a stand that can be laid horizontally. I lay lower down on the bed and lay my feet on the fan. The cool air and the vibration of the fan greatly reduces the annoying sensations.
rating: 4 (16 votes)
Submitted by Phyllis A at 2011-03-20 17:02:14
My RLS is so severe that it actually causes distress in my arms. I'd rather have pain that the RLS so I wrap my feet in ace bandages so tight for about 1/2 hr then comes the pain, and RLS has calmed down
rating: 4 (21 votes)
Submitted by Stacet at 2012-02-01 07:11:58
Hi there, Don't worry about reading all the other remedies of how to get rid of RLS. I have your answer to cure Restless Legs for ever. I found this e-book from a guy in USA who figured out eating DAIRY is the trigger for Restless Legs. It is like an allergic reaction, if you are allergic to peanuts & you eat one peanut you have a reaction same goes for RLS & DAIRY. Don't believe me, give up Dairy totally for two weeks & prove it to yourself. At first it was hard but now I have found alternatives. I am 36 and have suffered from Restless Legs since I was a kid and this is the best thing I have ever done.
rating: 4 (23 votes)
Submitted by mnick at 2011-02-14 19:49:04
I have suffered with RLS for years. I finally found a web-site that recommended sulfer. I went to a local vitamin store - a nationwide branch - and the only thing they had with sulfer was Colloida Life - Trace Minerals. It is in a sort of neutral tasting oil that you take by the eye-dropper and put under your tongue. For the first time in years I have found relief. I use 3 droppers at bed time (I measured it out to about 1/2 teaspoon). If I wake up at night, which is seldom now, I take another dropper and it works immediately!! I have since found little tablets with sulfer and they did nothing for me. It may be the colloidal silver, don't really know, but I do know that this works for me when nothing else has. My doctor tested me for low iron and low magnesium but they were fine. I have tried the prescription drugs for RLS and they gave me such terrible dreams that I could not take them. For the first time in over 20 years I can snuggle up next to my husband and sleep all night.
rating: 4 (22 votes)
Submitted by Cara at 2011-09-18 06:08:18
for RLS, put a bar of soap between your sheets. it works for leg cramps and RLS. I didn't believe it but figured what could it possibly hurt? Has worked for me for 6 months. Doesn't matter what kind of soap although Dove and Dial seem to be the most popular, wrapped or unwrapped. Doesn't matter.
I wish you all the same good luck I have had.
rating: 4 (27 votes)
Submitted by Kathy S at 2011-01-27 15:59:54
Cherries, I couldn't believe it. I have had RLS for 10 years, Mirapex had to be increased, then finally stopped working. So many different drugs and many left me drowsey every morning. Not sleeping at night, I was a mess. I take the juice and eat the cherries. It does contain Melatonin, so I usually take it early evening. I know there are lots of remedies, but try the cherries and see if it doesn't help you.
rating: 4 (8 votes)
Submitted by Sharon at 2011-07-20 11:24:51
I stopped drinking diet coke and 2 weeks later I noticed my legs were calm. It's been 4 nights now that they,ve been calm. I have not drank a soda, diet or regular for 2.5 weeks. I drink tea with stevia in the raw and lemon.
rating: 4 (7 votes)
Submitted by Kelly at 2012-03-21 18:57:44
I have suffered with RLS since I was 7 but did not discover that it had a name until I was in my 20s. The one thing that often helps is to tie a sock around my foot tightly. As tight as you can get without cutting off the circulation. Now I'm in my 30s and it is getting close to unbearable, and not just at night but much of the day too. Sometimes the sock isn't enough anymore. It also travels into my hand when it gets bad, and I end up with two socks tied on my food and one tied on my hand. Sometimes a very hot bath at bedtime helps to relieve it and also helps me to sleep faster. I'm thinking about going back on sleeping pills just to knock myself out so I don't have to deal with it all night. I'm so glad to hear the many ideas for remedies and I will certainly be trying some of them. Good luck everyone!
rating: 4 (7 votes)
Submitted by RKM at 2010-04-10 10:26:11
A mixture of Lime juce and Seltzer water about 1/2oz Lime juce to 5oz of Seltzer water work well drink it 15 min's befor bed and it relives the Restless leg Syndrome
rating: 4 (61 votes)
Submitted by Patwit at 2011-07-16 15:55:16
I tend to get RLS at night, watching TV. Found a remedy that works every single time. I simply get up and take a shower. The action of washing my legs and feet, using a soapy washcloth, in between the toes and every square inch of my feet & legs always completely gets rid of the restless leg syndrome. Plus I'm clean!!
rating: 4 (17 votes)
Submitted by Hunter at 2011-10-06 11:28:59
I found this page last night at 3am. I used to suffer from RLS every night. My doc had given me Requip but my the 3rd day of taking it I learned I was allergic to it. It had made me very ill and I had terrible vertigo. my fiances mother (a nurse) informed me that the medication was meant to treat Parkinsons. I stopped it. I started eatting a banana every night before bed and that seemed to help. Over time my symptoms dissapeared.
Well, last night I had it again for the first time in years. I assume its due to coming off percocet I was taking for a knee injury and that I was withdrawing. I tried the banana trick. Nothing. I found some good suggestions using things I had at home (seeing it was 3am and couldn't go to a doctor or get any vitamins). I rubbed Ben Gey all on my legs (especially my thighs, they were the worst) then while in bed I put my legs up and peddled like I was on a bike. Did that till I was a bit sore. I put a heating pad on my lower back as I have sciatica and that could have been causing it too. Finally I pulled my knees to my chest and held them there tight for about 5 mins while I listened to sleep meditations I found on youtube. After that I fell right back asleep. When I woke up I was amazed at how well it had worked!
Hope this helps someone!
rating: 4 (18 votes)
Submitted at 2012-02-04 20:34:17
Working with the idea that RLS may be caused by accumulated static electricity in the brain, I tried standing barefoot on the basement concrete floor for about five minutes before going to bed. The floor is cold but you get used to it. It's been a few days now and I haven't had any more RLS.
rating: 4 (14 votes)
Submitted by Patricia (Patty) at 2011-06-08 17:53:40
After hearing about putting soap in bed (sounds goofy I know) helping so many people, I decided to give it a try. I slipped a small bar of soap in my sheets, and to my amazement slept peacefully for the first time in years! After doing some research online I found lots of people who said this had been a lifesaver, but no medical reason as to why it works. I'm not asking too many questions though, cause all I know is I'm sleeping like a baby and can actually relax at night! I've hear that dove and ivory don't work, but haven't tried either so I can't really say. Also, my friend bought a soap like product in some type of pad and said it worked wonders, but I have to find out the name, it was rlspad or wonderpad or something like that. Best of luck to all!
rating: 4 (19 votes)
Submitted by Dennis at 2011-07-27 11:22:04
I actually had a tweaked neck from some serious MMA training. And my RLS hit me like a ton of bricks!! I went to a Chiro and Accupunture and it worked wonders!
Before that, NO meds worked but Tramadol. All other meds they prescribed me didnt do anything for me.
So i just stopped ALL meds. Everytime i was woken up by it, id bang out 50 squats and jump straight to bed and id be out for the night.
This was a few months ago and ive been good so far! :) I mean every now and then id feel the sensation come.. and IGNORING it really helps, but if i cant, i usually take 2 tramadols and it goes away.
GOOD LUCK EVERYBODY! We all know how horrible this feels!
rating: 4 (5 votes)
Submitted by Mrs. Gibson at 2010-08-09 06:19:14
I have had RLS since I was a teenager, probably lovingly given to me by my father. In my early 20s' I started taking Mirapex and am now having to increase the dose because it doesn't work as well. I am also attempting to get pregnant and can't take Mirapex if I do get pregnant. I have recently tried accupuncture, it started working but it really did hurt and left bruises. I think I am now going to try the Mag Citrate/Potassium vitamins and maybe some reflexology? Anyone have any other natural remedies that does not involve needles?
rating: 4 (8 votes)
Submitted at 2011-07-22 00:23:57
QUININE SULFATE 200MG WORKS EVERY TIME.IT TAKES 30 MINUTES TO RELIVE THE SYMPTOMS OF RLS.PHYSICIANS HAVE STOPPED PRESCRIBING QUININE FOR RLS BECAUSE THE FDA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE QUININE AS A TREATMENT FOR RLS.YOU CAN OBTAIN QUININE SULPHATE FROM PHARMACIES IN CANADA WITH YOUR DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION.THE PROBLEM WITH QUININE IS THAT AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME THE BODY GETS USED TO IT AND THE DOSE MUST BE INCREASED. THIS IS KNOWN AS 'AUGMENTATION'. THE PERIOD BETWEEN THE RLS SYMTOMS STARTS DECREASING.THERE IS ALSO THE PROBLEM THAT TOO MUCH QUININE MAY CAUSE CINCHONISM.QUININE HAS SIDE EFFECTS IN SOME PATIENTS. THERFORE IF YOU TAKE QUININE YOU MUST I REITERATE MUST BE FOLLOWED BY YOUR PHYSICIAN. ALL DRUGS TREATING RLS HAVE SIDE EFFECTS. PATIENTS SHOULD BE ALERT TO DETECT THE SIDE EFFECTS OF QUININE BECAUSE THEY MAY BE SERIOUS. ALWAYS START WITH THE LOWEST DOSE THAT HELPS.READ ABOUT RLS ON THE MAYO CLINIC SITE. READ ABOUT THE USES OF QUININE ON THE INTERNET SITES EXAMPLE RXLIST. THESE MEDICATIONS CAUSE RLS IN SUSCEPTIBLE PATIENTS:ALL ANTIHISTAMINES WITHOUT EXCEPTION.ANTIDEPRESANTS LIKE VALIUM ,XANAX ETC EVEN THOIUGH SOME INDIVIDUALS SAY THEY HELP.AVOID CAFFEIN, SODAS,CHOCOLATE, ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES INCLUDING WINE AND BEER.EXERCING THE LEGS HELPS A LOT. PERFORM LEG SQUATS WHEN SYMPTOMS COME ON.DO 60 TO 100 SQUATS.IF THESE PROVE TOO MUCH THEN DO LESS REPETITIONS BUT INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SETS.RUNNING FOR 10 MINUTES ON A TREADMILL WILL ELIMINATE RLS FOR THAT NIGHT.HEAT HELPS. WARM (WOOLEN) LEGGINGS, STOCKINGS AND/OR WOOLEN PANTYHOSES LIKE SKI UNDERGARMENTS RELIVE SYMPTOMS. A GENERAL CHECK UP BY YOURDOCTOR SHOULD BE DONE TO ASCERTAIN ABSENCE OF ANY UNDERLYING CAUSE LIKE ANEMIAS DUE TO IRON AND /OR FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCIES.AVOID COFFEE,TEA,SODAS. SUBSTITUTE TEAS THAT DO NOT CONTAIN CAFFEIN LIKE CHAMOMILLE OR MINT. MASSAGES AND STRETCHING EXERCISES TO THE LOWER LIMBS HELP.LINIMENTS, CREAMS AND OINTMENTS THAT CONTAIN ANY INGREDIENT THAT ARE MILDLY RUBIFACIENT HELP.SOME CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED BY PRESCRIPTION.
RLS CANNOT BE CURED. IT IS A LIFELONG DISABLING CONDITION. BUT DO NOT DESPAIR IT CAN BE TREATED AND THE SYMPTOMS LESSENED.
rating: 4 (9 votes)
Submitted by Beth at 2010-01-19 10:27:34
There was nothing more relieving than finding out that this thing had a name! It was too hard to explain to anyone. So glad I'm not the only one.
I noticed that mine seemed to be induced primarily by antihistimines, which ironically I'd take to help fall asleep, and a prescription anti-nausea medication (promethazine) that is sometimes given after surgeries, ALSO given to me to help me sleep! It took a long time to notice the correlation.
I started taking Xanax a few years ago to treat the insomnia. I've only had a few episodes of RLS since then, because the medicine relaxes your nervous system. This has either countered the effects of the meds causing RLS, or it allowed me to replace the drugs that caused it.
The only thing that helped me when an episode of RLS would come on, (besides pacing for an hour or two) was HEAT. A hot bath always did the trick. Lately I haven't been able to do that, so last night the RLS came on around 11pm and at 12am I put a heating pad under my thighs and one over and turned them on high. I also grabbed one of those vibrating massagers and ran it up and down the front and back of my legs. Relief! Not perfect... but helped a lot. I'd never thought to use a massager, but I was desperate and it ended up stimulating my muscles and nerves in a way that is similar to moving and walking and rubbing them.
rating: 4 (7 votes)
Submitted at 2011-05-12 14:02:02
There is a supplement called calcium penetrate that gets rid of my rls completely. You have to take two pills for first week then you can go down to one. It starts working within 30 minutes with amazing results.
rating: 4 (11 votes)
Submitted by SeaQuay at 2010-06-15 17:23:16
I cut potatoes out of my diet and the restless leg stopped in about 4 days. Don't know why, just glad to be able to sit still.
rating: 4 (8 votes)
Submitted at 2011-03-20 04:16:14
As Ive gotten older, RLS has progressively gotten worse for me. RLS during pregnancy was HELL!!! Ive had alot of time to try things, almost 30 years! An RX called Ropinirole (sp?)
works really well, but its $95.00 for about 15 w/no insurance and I sometimes need 2 or 3 a night. Ive borrowed Vicodin from my Dad, like tonite, Im up at 1 AM writing this cause it is soooo bad. Banana's, sometimes, calcium used to help, now...just a little sometimes,warmed milk, a slice of wheat bread or crackers...carbs? seem to help...I know right? But last thing I wanna do is eat all night. Heat or pain creams, Bengay, Vicks, Aspercreme help, then I wrap my legs in tight ace bandages. ..Ridiculous, I know...Lately, even walking more, seems to make it worse?? Ive heard its linked to Parkinsons...really? Do we know what causes this horrible stuff??
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted by Katie at 2011-11-25 05:19:08
I've had problems with restless legs since I was 17. My first bout of it occurred on an overnight flight to London from Detroit. The plane was dark and quiet, and I stood in the aisle, shifting weight from one leg to the other, crying my eyes out in misery. That may have been attributed to the fact I left the steroids I was taking after a root canal at home and suddenly had none in my system.
But since then I've had several episodes (I'm 25). Usually Klonopin works just fine, but it doesn't do the trick. Mirapex helps, but is starting to lose its effectiveness. In the past, when I didn't access to the Mirapex or the dose of Klonopin I do now, I would sit in a bath filled with water as hot as I could stand it. After maybe 10 minutes I'd get out, dry off, and pack gallon baggies with ice, then place them on the top of my thighs (where my worst sensations are). That usually works.
But tonight, I knew a bath wasn't gonna cut it. I tried ice, nothing. 1.5mg of Klonopin and .25mg of Mirapex, nothing. So I sat here, moving my legs as I searched through the home remedies on this site for RLS. One thing that struck me was the use of Bengay. I know my parents have had it in the past, but unfortunately we have none in the house. Desperate beyond belief I went to Meijer (it's just like Wal-Mart) at 4:30am on Black Friday to buy generic Aspercreme. I squirted (way too much) the stuff on my leg and started to rub it in, thinking it will absorb like lotion. Well, not so lucky there. But I have been able to sit here without moving my legs since I put that stuff on them. I may run into problems again once I stop doing anything and try to sleep (keeping my brain busy helps some), but for right now, I'm feeling better. Gonna have to lay towels on the bad tonight so as not to destroy my sheets with Aspercreme, but if I can sleep then that's just fine!
rating: 4 (8 votes)
Submitted by Rondo at 2012-04-12 14:16:34
Please try abdominal massage. It worked for me quite well. It is done like that. Press your abdominalquite hard and deep. Search for spots that hurts. And hold it for 30 seconds or more. And repeat it as many times as you can. You have to find for yourself which part of your belly to press in order to feel the relieve. I think for me it was somehere a little bellow a belly button to the right and to the left. But I do the massage of the whole abdominal area. You can search on youtube CHI NEI TSANG and you will get the idea of how it is done correctly.
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted at 2010-09-07 09:58:32
My daughters used to get growing pains quite a bit and I found that rubbing mentholatum (Vicks) on their legs helped. One night when I got a particularly bad case of RLS I thought why not? It has helped most of the time for me since then. I just rub a bit on where it is affecting me (usually the top of my feet and lower legs) It dosen't have to be slathered on. Just a little bit. The soap under the sheets did help me too but eventually I became immune to it. Might try it again. Has anyone ever tried pickle juice?
rating: 4 (25 votes)
Submitted by nana at 2012-02-26 02:32:14
Remedy for restless leg syndrome is Magnessum take one to two when it starts and it takes only half an hour and it will go away.
rating: 4 (17 votes)
Submitted by josh at 2011-04-16 08:25:09
I have had rls since i was a kid and i found that popping my ankles works instantly.point toes down then up until your ankles pop.It may take a few tries to get them to pop but it really works.
rating: 4 (18 votes)
Submitted by Angi at 2011-06-20 00:13:42
I have restless leg syndrome. My mother has it, and her mother had it too. I also have it in my arms. I keep a bottle of peppermint foot spray or biofreeze handy. I spray my legs and whatever else is bothering me, and it always works! I've also used muscle creams such as Ben gay or deep heat. They work too, but I prefer the spray because it's less messy!
rating: 4 (17 votes)
Submitted by Bernie at 2010-11-19 11:12:07
Having suffered from RLS for many years, I have finally found something that helps.........I drink my Aloe Vera Gel morning and evening, take regular exercise and on the very few ocassions when it bothers me I massage the calves of my legs with my Aloe Heat Gel and this gives great relief
rating: 4 (9 votes)
Submitted by Nancy at 2010-09-06 12:12:23
This site's information is VERY helpful! I also find that Restless Legs are not a problem if I eat enough blue-green algae products....especially the acidophillus and enzymes. The AFA type (from Simplexity Health) has all the vitamins, minerals and trace minerals our bodies need to get rid of lots of dis-eases and feel great. (I've eaten it for almost 20 years!) I also wonder if RLS is related to Candida Overgrowth. Thanks, everyone, for the natural remedies and organic resources.
rating: 4 (10 votes)
Submitted at 2008-01-29 21:35:57
I've had RLS for many years, and in approx. the last couple of years, I've noticed that whenever I get it, it seems that my legs are slightly cold. If I rub my shins, or any part of my legs that feels cold, and warm them up, the symptoms go right away.
rating: 4 (18 votes)
Submitted at 2010-11-20 11:14:57
I have had RLS for 35 years. I discovered about 2 years ago, for myself, it is directly connected to dairy/milk products. If I avoid plain milk products (milk, ice cream, whipped cream, butter, cheese cake) within 6 hours of going to bed, I rarely have the RLS symptoms. Fermented milk products do not bother me such as aged cheese, sour cream, yoghurt, etc...
I love ice cream, so I will sneak it as a treat, but always before 4:00 pm. No treat, before bedtime, would be worth RLS when trying to sleep.
When I do eat/drink milk during the day, I notice more restless energy in my muscles, but it is a jittery jerky energy, not smooth and controlled. Thus I avoid milk before playing golf. Milk can add 10 strokes to my game guaranteed.
I generally drink almond milk or soy milk now. They do not taste the same, but the benefits are worth it.
No need for medicine and it's side effects to stop my RLS. Hope this helps you!
rating: 4 (18 votes)
Submitted by Debbie at 2011-09-07 18:03:38
I used to suffer from occassional RLS but since I was diagnosed with sleep apnea over a year ago I have had 0 problems. I received a CPAP machine that has truly changed my life for the better. If you are a snorer, wake up tired and with migraines you should ask your doctor abt whether you may have sleep apnea. Just a theory...
rating: 4 (10 votes)
Submitted by Phillipa at 2011-12-03 22:57:25
Hi. I've had restless legs syndrome on and off for years. One thing I have tried which helps is VALERIAN ROOT tablets which you can buy from health food shops. Another thing which can help is DRY BODY BRUSHING with a bristle brush. Start on the soles of your feet and use long slow brushing up your legs. Good luck everyone. I understand how horrible this syndrome is.
rating: 4 (13 votes)
Submitted by grace at 2012-01-03 02:59:29
i donthave one yet.My rls startedwhen i was pregnant
then after each pregnancy it went
cant remember when it came back oh yes after my seizure tablets didnt stop it anymore. went on sinemet a few years back but after a few months they started having bad side effects so ihad to stop
soi have epilepsy and i prefer to not take adrug to get relief.I get minearoundmy ankles
and iteven wakesme at night. so anyone with rls and epilepsy thats found relief pleasse let meknow.cause my rls is keeping meawake at night and i need my sleep somi dont have seizures. i do have low iron and low in vitiamn d. ty.
rating: 4 (4 votes)
Submitted at 2012-02-04 19:19:09
I discovered an herbal supplement called Protandim works with my restless legs. It is astounding because I've had RL for over 20 years and it just made it disappear.
rating: 4 (12 votes)
Submitted by David at 2010-04-08 14:16:20
I have developed a natural remedy for RLS. I have been free of RLS for almost a year now, and my legs feel amazing.
Basically there are 4 stages to recovery. The first, and most important is the healing of the inflammation in your legs that is causing the RLS.
Here are the 4 steps to a FULL recovery ...
STEP 1. Stop the Spreading Inflammation in its Tracks
STEP 2. Encourage the Repair/Replacement of your Damaged Cells
STEP 3. Encourage the Healing/Repair of your Nervous System
(nerve cells frayed from prolonged inflammation)
STEP 4. Prevent Inflammation from Reoccuring
Less inflammation = less RLS. This is as universal a truth as you will ever hear in regard to Restless Legs Syndrome.
This is not a 'personal' cure that is only going to help a few. This will help EVERYONE that is willing to try it out.
It doesn't matter what sort of heavy duty drugs you're taking for your RLS. You don't need to go off of them. Eventually your inflammation will lessen and you'll be able to wean off at your own pace.
The best way to heal the inflammation that is causing your RLS is to load up with as many anti-inflammatory herbs as your budget will allow. Curcumin, Ginger Root, Cayenne, St. John's Wort, Licorice Root DGL, Devil's Claw and Skullcap are good ones.
Also, to enhance the healing, take a high quality Cal/Mag,
Iron, Zinc, Omega 3 and Vitamin B12.
It sounds like a lot, but you will not regret the effort when you start to see the results.
David
www.RLcure.com
rating: 3 (35 votes)
Submitted at 2011-01-20 20:52:17
Use peppermint oil! I'm a 23 year old lady, and have RLS severely. I have it nitely for hours in my legs and shoulders. I rub the oil on my lower back and shoulders and once the peppermint oil starts feeling tingly, I am calm and my RLS stops and I fall asleep! It's wonderful! I wish you the best of luck with this remedy, I know how awful RLS is!
rating: 3 (11 votes)
Submitted by J at 2008-07-03 00:17:37
As my dad always said when I had cramps in my legs.. 'Eat a banana!!'
rating: 3 (34 votes)
Submitted by Katie at 2012-04-15 11:22:24
I have had RLS since I was in High School. I am now 45 and finally got it diagnosed when I was in my early 30s. I have been on Klonopin and Gabapentin for years. I tried some new drug and Levodopa but they didn't work. I am sick of being a slave to prescription pills so I have started researching other remedies. I am weaning off the Klonopin and Gabapentin and taking a Stress formula B comple vitamin, more Vitamin C, Iron. Potassium and Magnesium. This morning my feet started tingling g and it was awakening the crawly tickles in my ankles and knees so I decided to try the bar of soap remedy. I rubbed the soap one time over my feet and placed it on my feet and in 10 minutes everything was gone!! I'm also going to try the tonic water as it has quinine in it. I'm so happy that I will be pill free!!!
rating: 3 (10 votes)
Submitted by mike at 2010-06-21 14:17:24
Ok. I have what I would term mild cases of RLS and nearly every night. In the past, it happened while on roadtrips or in an airplane while I was tired. Now it's progressed to nearly an everynight occurrence. Last year I was having chronic headaches and tried different things. Finally a neruologist prescribed gabapentin (600mg) to take one each night before bed. Well that actually does the trick for both headaches and RLS. I think most of the headaches were due to anxiety and stress. I've been trying to layoff of the gabapentin so now only taking 1/2 pill ea night. Talked to the doc about it and said there's got to be something more natural for my nervous legs so he suggested Melatonin. Started taking some of that rather than the gabapentin. First night or two it didn't do much good, but I think I'm starting to have some success with being able to get sleep through the night. The neruologist also suggested some iron supplement so I'm starting to pop that. Believe he stated that the melatonin helps regulate some sleep patterns, and I think he said the iron will help possibly help curb the headaches.
rating: 3 (9 votes)
Submitted by Dave at 2011-12-14 00:19:30
I have suffered restless legs since a child, which I tolerated into my 40's before it became a significant problem. My most recent med was mirapex, which helped but I had side effects only slightly better than the original symptoms. I recently was advised by my chiropractor to take a good quality Magnesium Citrate from a health food or nutrition store. With some experimentation I have found a dose of 400 mg every morning with breakfast has given me near complete relief. I have been off mirapex for three months and have far better control. I do find if I work outdoors in the heat I need one additional capsule. I tried drug store magnesium oxide but had lesser results at double the dose.
rating: 3 (12 votes)
Submitted by Sam at 2011-07-15 19:44:13
You can try privic spray it will calm your legs at night when you have RLS
rating: 3 (7 votes)
Submitted by KB at 2012-04-21 18:28:29
Top Notch Cure for Restless Leg Syndrome before bed time or when you get it.
Eat a stalk or two of raw Celery.
Works for leg cramps.
Good for heartburn also.
I practice what I preach.
rating: 3 (14 votes)
Submitted by gabriel at 2011-12-24 09:39:38
Alternately massage deeply up the down the Middle of the Back of each calf with your thumb for a minute, then let it rest while you massage the other letting the circulation regulate again. Repeat this 4-5 times always letting the circulation regulate between massages.
Note: if some one else massages your calves it is important they stimulate Only the Middle of your calf.
This will relieve RLS. symptoms nightly.
rating: 3 (5 votes)
Submitted at 2012-05-08 15:59:08
I've suffered from RLS off and on since I was a pre-teen and have found it unbearable at times, especially during pregnancy. The best remedy I've found is to take a freezing cold bath before bed. The water is just deep enough to cover my legs. Even though it's about 5-10 minutes of serious discomfort, it leads to hours of sleep and it doesn't involve taking any pills.
rating: 3 (5 votes)
Submitted at 2010-08-27 00:10:15
Restless Leg Syndrome is caused by pinched nerves in the spine. The aggravated nerve is what causes the legs to jump. I have had RLS since my teens and discovered that I also had a pinched nerve that dated from a horse-back riding injury when I was 13. I lived for 20 years with a pinched nerve and RLS and chronic pain. I tried everything: acupuncture, massage, medicine, home remedies, exercise, general chiropractic and it really didn't help. However, I discovered the Atlas-Orthogonal method of chiropractic a few years ago. I no longer knew what to do with this condition because I was getting zero sleep. AO chiropractic is really the only method that is of any use.
The Atlas is the very top bone in your spine and when it is not perfectly horizontal (orthogonal) it pinches the nerves as they leave your brain and enter your spinal column. Since the nerves carry messages to all parts of your body, if the Atlas is out of alignment and is causing an impingement, it can affect EVERY SINGLE SYSTEM in your body (digestive, nervous, muscular). I now know that if my RLS is acting up, I am out of alignment. I visit my AO chiropractor and I am FIXED!!
Atlas Orthogonal is a chiropractic specialty, and very few chiropractors are trained or equipped for this treatment. You can find a doctor here: atlasorthogonality.com/
If you don't live near one, it is worth driving or traveling to one. I am telling you, it really saved me.
rating: 3 (24 votes)
Submitted by LISA at 2012-03-02 11:23:18
LISTEN TO ME CAREFULLY!!!!!
EXCERCISE WILL WILL MOST DEFINATELY TAKE RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME AWAY!!!! I SWEAR IT WILL, JUST WALK ABOUT 20 MINS A DAY!!!
rating: 3 (21 votes)
Submitted by Hussain at 2012-04-16 18:51:47
I have had RLS for almost 6 years now, I'm 32 years old and I get them every night till 4/5am b4 I manage to sleep. That is until now, well the last 5 days that is, and here's how.
I avoid eating after 6pm including tea, coffee more importantly I drink a glass of pure carrot juice from a juicer machine (not blender) every evening about ten pm. I also drink apple and pear juice sometimes I even mix it all up into a large glass and drink it, I would love to see if it works for anyone else. As I say it's been 5 nights and I'm sleeping with out RLS which for any one who suffers from it knows is a god send!
rating: 3 (8 votes)
Submitted by J at 2010-07-13 01:42:06
Listen to me, your legs are an extension of your head... right.. please relax your mind from any problems, bad situations, worries, troubles, etc. You do not need anything but the tools you were given to subside and eliminate the uncontrolled movement that you do not desire.
rating: 2 (96 votes)
Submitted by kab at 2012-05-03 11:10:38
I am a 50 yr old woman that has suffered with RLS since my early 20s. It runs in my family and none of us have ever found a 'cure'. I have discussed this with my family doctor for years (his wife also suffers RLS) and have tried all of the prescriptions recommended. Some I couldn't take due to side effects - others just did not work for me. I found this site several months ago and made some notes of remedies from others. I combined some of these suggestions with some of my doctor's recommendations and here I am 9 weeks later saying that I have found relief FINALLY. I wanted to share in hopes of maybe helping others - it takes several weeks to see improvement but stay with it and maybe you will also see results. I'm sleeping!! I take Calcium Magnesium with D (3x daily), MegaVita Gel (2x daily), Vitamin C-500mg(1x daily), Slow Release Iron 50mg (2x daily), Astaxanthin 10mg (1x daily). I would advise checking with your doctor first though (especially regarding the Iron). Hope you're sleeping soon.
rating: 2 (3 votes)
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