Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Karen W. on 24/08/2008 06:54:18

Title: Are there non medicinal ways, to relieve restless leg syndrome, so I can sleep?
Post by: Karen W. on 24/08/2008 06:54:18: Any suggestions would be helpful.. I tried bathing no go.. Once in awhile hot shower helps.. getting up and walking really doesn't help much just keeps me up longer!

Rubbing them does not help....When I was sexually active.. sex fixed it every time. I think it was the use of all those leg muscles working.. LOL.. but... that is not an option so any suggestions, serious ones would be appreciated!
Title: Are there non medicinal ways, to relieve restless leg syndrome, so I can sleep?
Post by: Karen W. on 25/08/2008 08:30:38: ANYBODY HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?
Title: Are there non medicinal ways, to relieve restless leg syndrome, so I can sleep?
Post by: Andrew K Fletcher on 25/08/2008 10:01:07: Hi Karen

Maybe you should consider using IBT again? Ekbom Syndrome responds very well to Inclined Bed Therapy. Cast your mind back to when you were using this and ask yourself did you get the same fidgety legs during the night?
Title: Are there non medicinal ways, to relieve restless leg syndrome, so I can sleep?
Post by: Karen W. on 25/08/2008 11:01:36: Thanks Andrew I do plan on raising the bed again I just can't do it by myself.. My headboard is being worked on! When it is done I certainly will. It was worth it.. I really did not notice many of the things till I was back to the chair and flat bed..

Its only been lately that it has become chronic or regular again.. I will take your advice here right away as it is driving me crazy so I see I must drive the fix it guy crazy too! LOL
Title: Are there non medicinal ways, to relieve restless leg syndrome, so I can sleep?
Post by: RD on 25/08/2008 12:16:54: Quote
Nonpharmacologic management [of restless legs syndrome (RLS)]

Patients with mild RLS who are sensitive to caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine should avoid these substances. Offending medications also should be discontinued. Mild exercise is helpful in some patients. In general, physical measures are only partially or temporarily helpful. Behavioral treatments with circadian adjustments permit later sleep times.
Some patients benefit from different physical modalities, such as hot or cold baths, whirlpool baths, limb massage, or vibratory or electrical stimulation of the feet and toes before bedtime.
Supplementation to correct vitamin deficiencies, electrolytes, or iron may improve symptoms in some patients. In iron deficiency, for example, ferrous sulfate 325 mg may be given with 250 mg of vitamin C. Absorption is increased by taking this on an empty stomach and waiting 60 minutes before eating.
Patients with prominent varicose veins in the legs may benefit from Ted hose.
Those with uremia or anemia may find relief after kidney transplantation or correction of anemia, respectively.
http://www.emedicine.com/neuro/topic509.htm

Restless legs and itching (pruritus) are both symptoms of kidney disease.
Title: Are there non medicinal ways, to relieve restless leg syndrome, so I can sleep?
Post by: Karen W. on 26/08/2008 19:05:09: Well I have certainly got both of those worse then ever lately!.. Thanks RD. Sometimes a hot shower will help..

Where does one get a foot massager! Never mind.. LOL I will google it to see!

Anyways some of those things listed have been helpful in the past but lately have failed to help more times then they helped..
Its such an annoying sensation it drives one batty!
Title: Are there non medicinal ways, to relieve restless leg syndrome, so I can sleep?
Post by: Karen W. on 26/08/2008 19:08:21: You know.... I do so love a cappuccino in the morning but maybe I should drop it to once or twice a week on the weekends. I will cut back my cold tea also.. and stick to my decaffeinated herbals instead.

I only have one in the morning. I do drink 1 32 ounce Raspberry Snapple over the course of a day about three times a week, other then that it is water Juice and thats it. I can cut that back easily also..

They cut my liquids back, then increased my water by 8 ounces a day, last week.. so I have done that too.
Title: Are there non medicinal ways, to relieve restless leg syndrome, so I can sleep?
Post by: RD on 26/08/2008 23:04:10: I don't think that a coffee first thing in the morning will cause RLS at night: the caffeine will be out of your system by then.

If you were going to try cutting out tea during the day you should replace tea with an equal volume of liquid in order to maintain the fluid level intake your doctor has advised.

I think increasing your fluid intake to as your doctor has advised to balance your electrolytes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water-electrolyte_imbalance) would be more effective in reducing RLS (and pruritus) than cutting out tea.
Title: Are there non medicinal ways, to relieve restless leg syndrome, so I can sleep?
Post by: Karen W. on 27/08/2008 01:10:24: I am allergic to caffeine so I have to limit it already... thats why I only have 1 coffee and then throughout the day I have to be really careful or I end up with Hives...!