RLS! any effective alrenative treatment?

Question

I have restless syndrom. My neurologist says that it is PLMD(periodic limb movement disorder). It is that creepy feeling in the leg joints and muscles when I am about to fall asleep. It goes away as soon as I get up and walk. It comes back again as soon as I am about to sleep. Once I fall asleep, I am fine. The problem is to fall asleep during the day or night.

For the past 3 years, I have used: Clonazepam, Celexa, Bupropion, Klonopin, and Requip. None of them worked.

However Hydrocodone worked for the past 3 years, eventhough I had to increase the dosage every 3-6 months.

I used Hylands's leg cramps homeopathy medication. It slightly worked but caused ear ringing due to quinine and stomach problems due to poison ivy.

Currently, I am using Gnaphallium Poly 30X, acupuncture, and a small dose of Hydrocodone. This combination is working to some extent.

Anyone over here has a better success with anything else?

Answer 1

Aromatherapy can also help; and the blend below won't interfere with any of the meds you take, acupuncture, or homeopathy.

Put 3 drops lavender and 4 drops roman chamomile in one ounce of unscented massage oil or natural cooking oil. Use on the bottom of each foot one hour before bedtime.

Please feel free to email me with any questions.

Answer 2

Yes. I have been diagnosed with RLS and PLM (over 600 per night). The RLS bothered me primarily getting to sleep.

The neurologist put me on Neurontin and Clonazepam that almost killed me. I could not think clearly or work. I laid around in a fog.

Since nerves are effected by the alignment of neck and back, a chiropractor can help. They helped me some.

But by changing my diet, I am now free from all the poisonous prescription medications.

My diet has little or no cane sugar, low in bad fats (saturated, hydrogenated, no fried foods!) high in good fats (omega 3 and 6).

I also take a multivitamin and add B-Complex, zinc and Magnesium which are known to help soothe nerves.

I have a herbal combination for sleep that I mix and fill my own capsules of Passionflower, Celery seed, 5-HTTP, lemon balm, catnip and Valerian.

Hope this helps,

Answer 3

This may seem really simplistic but it has worked for many including myself.

4-6 Calcium Magnesium throughout the day and 4 at bedtime.
4 Vita-E, 2-3 B Complex and 4 Lecithin with each meal and at bedtime and 3-4 Gentle Sleep Complex at bedtime.

Now, I don't think I had as severe a condition as yourself, but the supplement that I feel really made the difference with me was the Calcium Magnesium.

The supplements I'm referring to is a particular brand not just any OTC supplements. If you are interested in the website, feel free to contact me.

Hope this is helpful.

Answer 4

RLS patients have often been found to suffer from low serum ferritin levels which is indicative of an iron deficiency. You might try a good natural iron supplement (NOT ferrous sulfate - too toxic!). take it as directed. Results may take a while for the time it takes to build up your body' s stores.
Good luck!

Answer 5

I feel for you, Peace, because I, too, suffer from RLS. I have yet to explore most of the meds you mention. I can tell you what does not work for me: Klonopin (Clonazepam). That stuff is completely toxic to me (e.g. black outs -- even on lowest doses).

I presume you've tried that heavily-advertised pharmaceutical (begins with an R; is it the Requip you mention? I think it is)?

This wasn't helpful, I know; just commiserating, is all.

Feel better.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

Research studies showed that iron deficiency in the blood can contribute to restless legs syndrome, especially in the elderly. A blood test that measures levels of a protein called ferritin reveals this iron shortage. The level of ferritin indicates the level of stored iron. Treatment with iron supplements can produce good results.

In a study conducted at the Department of Geriatric Medicine of the Royal Lierpool University in Liverpool, U.K., levels of ferritin in the blood were found to be lower in the eighteen patients who had restless-legs syndrome than in the eighteen control subjects. Ferritin levels were inversely correlated with the severity of restless-legs syndrome symptoms. In other words, the lower the ferritin level, the more severe the restless legs. Blood levels of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid, and hemoglobin did not differ between the two groups. Fifteen of the patients who had restless-legs syndrome were treated with iron (ferrous sulfate) at a dosage of 200 mg three times daily for two months, with excellent results. The researchers concluded that "Iron deficiency, with or without anemia, is an important contributor to the development of restless legs syndrome in elderly patients, and iron supplements can produce a significant reduction in symptoms."

5-HTP

If your iron levels are normal, then 5-HTP supplementation may significantly improve, or even eliminate, restless legs and myoclonus. Take 100 to 200 mg of 5-HTP about twenty minutes before retiring. Don't take 5-HTP for restless legs until you have had your iron levels checked, since 5-HTP will not supply you with iron your blood and your muscles need.

See Also: Melatonin and 5-HTP

Folic Acid

If there is a family history of restless-legs syndrome (about one-third of all patients with this syndrome have a family history), high- dosage folic acid (35 to 60 mg daily) therapy can be helpful. Dosages in this range will require a prescription. In cases of familial restless-legs syndrome, there appears to be a higher need for folic acid.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E supplements of 400 IU two or three times a day are extremely effective in alleviating RLS.

In one study concerning vitamin E and restless leg syndrome, a seventy- eight-year-old female with a history of restless and "jumpy" legs found that after two months of 300 IU daily, she was completely cured. In another study, a thirty-seven-year old female with a ten-year history of severe nightly "restless legs" was placed on 300 IU daily for six weeks and 200 IU daily for the following four weeks with complete relief.

Answer 8

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