Restless Legs Syndrome

Anyone out there have RLS?  I've had it for about 10 years now, and am taking Klonopin for the symptoms.  Around my period the symptoms get worse then get better a couple of days afterward.

Just wondering what you do to relieve the symptoms when the medication isn't working?  TV works, sometimes spending time on the computer but not reading. 

Anyone?

My mom says that one computer games (Bookworm) does it for her.  The game is so compelling that it completely distracts her from the RLS.  Also, she'll get up in the middle of the night and use her exercise bike.

I didn't expect such a quick reply, thanks!  I'm looking forward to all the hints I can get

*bump*

Thanks, beena1, it was helpful.  Just wish I could get off this blasted medication!

I felt a lot better when I turned off the wireless and portable phone, and took all electric appliances out of my bedroom.  It may not work for anyone else, but it helped me and it didn't cost anything. 

A sleep specialist recommended cutting caffeine and nicotine out altogether.

I find that stretching helps during, and avoiding antihistamines helps to keep the RLS from getting as bad. Oddly enough, avoiding antihistamines can be difficult as they are found in premenstrual pills, and Tylenol pm, as well as in Benydryl where you would expect them.

I feel so bad for you. Rls is the worst. I had it when I was pregnant (my md said it was common). A friend of mine who has it told me to lay down and bend your toes and squeeze (both feet) hold for 10 sec and release do this 10 times. I hope it helps - it worked for me.

My mother suffers from RLS and gets great relief by putting peppermint oil into her body lotion and massaging it into her legs before bed.

I passed on the suggestions.  More recently I asked her if she was taking any cholesterol medication such as lipitor.  A coworker's relative was getting leg cramps and rls that completely went away after being taken off of lipitor.  My mom is definitely on a cholesterol medication, but not that one, and she's checking to see if it might be exacerbating her rls.

Are you of you taking a cholesterol medication, if so, do you mind saying which one?

No I'm not taking any rx's for cholesterol but do take prozac for PMDD (extreme PMS), don't know if that has anything to do with it.

Do you experience more episodes or longer episodes when you take that particular medication?

Also, my mom told me recently, that driving or sitting for too long in one position triggers the rls.  If she's driving for more than about 30-40 minutes she needs to take a rest stop and walk around or she'll regret it later.

My husband has RLS, its terrible to watch him at times.  Ginkgo Biloba can help for some people, but it is recommended for people over 50.  One thing that does work for my Beloved, is wearing really tight stockings, like the ones they give you when you go into hospital to have surgery (TEDS - Anti embolism stockings).  TEDS can be expensive, so any stockings that are designed to compress the leg to give support or help prevent varicose veins will help.

Let me know if you try it, I would love to know if it helps.

Hi Suzigirl. I have had RLS for about 8 years now. I have found  now that I am working out I have it less often. I had it every night of the week for years, now maybe 3-4 nights a week. I am a nurse and when I was in nursing school one of my instructors showed me something that works pretty good for me. On the nights that it is really bad, it seems to calm them down. Sit on the floor with you rear end about 18 inches a way from the wall, put both feet flat on the wall and then push straight on like you are trying to move the wall.  I do this for about 30 seconds , five times  and it works for me.  Hope this might get you a little relief, if you try it and it works let me know. Good luck!

I, too, have RLS and I hate it.  I am taking Requip .5 mg at night about an hour and a half before I go to bed and it really helps. Been taking it for about a year.  Had to do some changing of the dosage to find the right amount and the right time of day to take it so I wouldn't fall asleep during the day.  It's rather embarrassing to nod off and jerk back up when you are doing therapy with a client.

I also took Lipitor for a while and began to notice the muscles in my legs were seeming to get "stringy" and felt weak. Lipitor is a statin and tht is one of the side effects for some people.  My mother had the same reactions. Now I take Zetia and it does fine.

My Sleep Disorder doctor questioned me about the Restless Legs and prescribed the Requip. I also have sleep apnea, which a lot of times presents with the Restless Leg Syndrome. Lack of oxygen from the sleep apnea may play a part in getting Restless Legs.  I am not a doctor, just sharing my experiences.

Restless Legs has caused me some embarrassment at operas, plays, symphony orchestras and church because I became so fidgety, crossing and uncrossing my legs and surely driving everyone around me batty.  Sometimes I would have to leave because it was just too uncomfortable to stay seated.

Hope this is helpful.

Original Post by nursescarels:

Hi Suzigirl. I have had RLS for about 8 years now. I have found now that I am working out I have it less often. I had it every night of the week for years, now maybe 3-4 nights a week. I am a nurse and when I was in nursing school one of my instructors showed me something that works pretty good for me. On the nights that it is really bad, it seems to calm them down. Sit on the floor with you rear end about 18 inches a way from the wall, put both feet flat on the wall and then push straight on like you are trying to move the wall. I do this for about 30 seconds , five times and it works for me. Hope this might get you a little relief, if you try it and it works let me know. Good luck!

I find that the more tired I am, the worse the RLS is but -- the trick above?  I often brace my feet agains the nightstand/wall and push away -- it does seem to help

My mom says the pushing against the wall does help her until the next episode which for her may be 5 minutes away or 5 hours or 5 days.

How many of you with RLS have that as the only issue?  My mom has MS, RLS, pre-osteoperosis and diabetes.

Thanks for the hints, folks, I'll try them!  I also heard over the weekend from another friend who has it that magnesium supplements have helped her.  She's over 60 so I don't know if age has anything to do with it (some stuff seems to be recommended for folks over 50), but I may try it since it's not a prescription.

As for other issues I also have an underactive thyroid (rx is taking care of that), allergies (an over-the-counter rx is helping that), and PMDD (pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder), which is a severe form of PMS that is more emotional than physical.  The PMDD and RLS get worse a day or 2 before TTOM, then settles down again after I "start".  I take 20 mg of prozac for the PMDD which has helped immensely but I'm wondering if it's worsening the RLS?

Oh, I also heard that experiencing a "climax" with your partner can also relieve RLS symptoms.  It's worked for me sometimes, so there's a hint from me !

klonopin for RLS?  have you tried any of the other medications that are more targeted like requip or mirapex...they probably would be less sedating and less addictive than klonopin.