DMSO for RLS...Does it work?

[SuperMNew]

I've been reading of all the benefits of using DMSO for everything that could possibly ail a person (sarcasm intended), but I am wondering if anyone has tried DMSO in any concentration on the legs to stop an RL attack?

[soup]

I don't know what that is.

[SuperMNew in reply to soup]

Here is an interesting link regarding the benefits of DMSO. See what you think: alternative-medicine-digest...

[nedster in reply to soup]

I think it is restless leg syndrome.

[soup in reply to nedster]

It was DSMO that I was confused about.

[Donzim]

DMSO is a very powerful anti inflammatory. And when used IV, it will affect the CNS. It has been controversial because it has never undergone blind testing. That would prove impossible because everyone can tell who has the placebo and who has the real thing. The real thing stinks....is is sulphur, after all. The fumes will permeate your house and stay there so be prepared to live with that smell if you use it IV. One can get the topical version in vet supply places. This version is not as strong and doesn't smell so bad. One must be very careful using it, however, as it is a potent carrier and will carry anything on your skin thru the skin into the body. This doesn't mean one shouldn't use it, just that the skin surface should be well cleaned....remember if you use a cleaning solution (like soap), it must be completely rinsed off or residue will be carried thru the skin.

A less noxious version is MSM which is frequently used for arthritis. Oral and easily available.

I do not have PD but husband does. I Haven't been diagnosed w RL but occasionally cannot sleep due to legs constant moving around. Since I do have to watch my magnesium levels, I always take that when muscles spasm or get sore. I usually take it first to at least eliminate that as an issue. It does the trick for my jumpy legs. If I could still get into a bathtub (age 81) I would try an Epsom salts bath. One can absorb magnesium from that...the reason an EP bath is so relaxing. I used mag citrate orally...according to directions, please....too much and you will get the runs...after all, mag is a muscle relaxer! If you do, back up or one can switch to mag glycinate.

[Drix13yana in reply to Donzim]

From my knowledge msm is sulfur but DMSO is a bi product from paper making, not the same, am I wrong?

[horsplay]

If you want a dietary source of sulfer, try MSM. I have taken it for many years.

[SuperMNew in reply to horsplay]

I don't know much about either MSM or DMSO. A friend told me that he takes a teaspoon internally every day of his life. Wow! I don't know about that, but he said he is never sick. Hmmmm.

[silvestrov]

I occasionally use DMSO on my arthritic knees and it works well. Years ago scientists tried to combine dopamine with DMSO to see if it could assist dopamine to cross the blood brain barrier. Even such a powerful solvent as DMSO could not make dopamine cross the BBB - hence the use of levodopa.

I did an internet search with the words 'dmso restless leg syndrome ncbi' and nothing came up. NCBI, National Center for Biotechnology Information, is part of every scientific study done and is an easy to combine with other words to find scientific study. For example, 'restless leg syndrome, parkinson's ncbi':

google.com/#q=restless+leg+...

'restless leg syndrome, parkinson's, magnesium ncbi': (search)

The third result from the search:

Magnesium therapy for periodic leg movements-related insomnia and restless legs syndrome: an open pilot study.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/970...

Intravenous magnesium sulfate may relieve restless legs syndrome in pregnancy.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/175...

Obviously you cannot have intravenous do it at home magnesium sulfate therapy but there are other forms of magnesium you could use, magnesium chloride, magnesium glycinate, magnesium threonate. Magnesium chloride is liquid magnesium which by passes the stomach and is directly absorbed by the body. It is about 12.5 mg a squirt and the only side effect can be irritated skin, dryness...and some companies ad skin softeners.

Magnesium chloride as a supplement

mag365.co.uk/content/41-mag...

Magnesium Glycinate for RLS - this is a thread from Healthunlocked about Magnesium Glycinate and RLS:

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

Hope this helps.

[SuperMNew in reply to silvestrov]

Thank you so much, Silvestrov! You are a wealth of information.

[Beckey]

Remind me, what is MSM?

[silvestrov in reply to Beckey]

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organosulfur compound with the formula (CH3)2SO2. It is also known by several other names including DMSO2, methyl sulfone, and dimethyl sulfone. - Wikipedia

[horsplay]

We used DMSO for horses. I can't stand the taste/smell of it. We used MSM for the horses too. From my understanding, sulfuris a building block used in joint fluid, skin and cartilage. MSM is said to have anti-inflammatory properties. It has always seemed to help me. I also take magnesium. If you choose to take magnesium, make sure that it is a formulation that is easily absorbed.

[Nanhio]

I have been reducing pramipexole from 4.5 mg day to 2 mg day over 4 months. I have Parkinsons and also take sinemet. The withdrawals are awful with little sleep and lots of diskenesia. 4 weeks go I began MSM, a methylated bioavailable sulfur. Wow! I can move right again and am sleeping and contemplating further reduction of pramipexole. There have been good quality studies done on the sulfur cycle in the body that involved almost every system the body has.

[hanifab23 in reply to Nanhio]

does the doctor prescrribe it

or how do you order it

[Sammh in reply to hanifab23]

SAM-e is a mailable in 200mg tablets by Nature Made in a pharmacy. There are also 400mg tablets in strong foil packs as it disintegrates with moisture. May be in brand name SAM-e but other companies make it. It is taken orally.

[Magik1111]

Yes. DMSO works for RLS and almost immediately upon application. It is a lifesaver. I am withdrawing from tramadol dependence (not full blown addiction but physical dependence from using it as prescribed for 5 years for back pain) and have been suffering extreme RLS attacks in my arms and legs. I am in day 6 of total cessation. The RLS started attacking on day 3 of the withdrawal process. It caused me to lose 3 nights of sleep and needless to say I was suffering greatly.

I bought this pharmaceutical grade product at CVS and within minutes the creepy crawlies and the deep seated pain were relieved. I just put some more on and hoping I get some much needed sleep. Highly recommend but make sure you use pharmaceutical grade DMSO and not industrial grade, which can harm you.