Has anyone any advice as to how to cope with RLS on a long flight? (Australia/NZ).

[Altair]

I managed a year ago by upping my Ropinirole a bit, but my RLS has got worse since then.

[Hidden]

Hi Altair, if you go back through the questions to 6 months ago, you will find a question with someone asking the same thing. There are lots of replies, so hopefully you can get some tips from them which will help you.

[Hidden]

hi there I have just returned from the states flying from Atlanta 9hrs but before that 4hrs from Vegas it was a nightmare ask for an isle seat so you can get up and walk about I took more than I should of ropinarole to make me sleep just make sure you can get up and walk about good luck

[cicek in reply to Hidden]

I will be doing a long flight very soon and in the past have had nightmare journeys! My RLS is very much under control at the moment but I am on maximum dose Ropinorole. Did you exceed the maximum recommended dose of 4mg and if so did it have any side effects?

[cicek]

Hi Altair. I have had this problem for a few years and can sympathise with you. Long flights can be a nightmare! My RLS is under control at the moment with 4mg Roprinorole so fingers crossed when I fly long haul later this year I will be OK. Can you ask your doctor for sleeping pills to take during your flight or if not what about something like amatryptaline? (not sure if that is spelt correctly).

[nightdancer]

My doctor gives my Alprozolam (Xanax) for cross country flights (6 hrs), plus I have permission at those times to up me meds however I feel I feel that I should. I have a great doctor, my GP, who takes care for all that stuff for me. Also, see that question that Elisse referenced. I take a CD of my most relaxing music and just zone out on that. If anyone wants to give it a try it is Loreena McKinnert's first album, The Mask and the Mirror, and her voice is absolutely hypnotizing. It is my bedtime music, too. Get an aisle seat so you can get up when it is allowed. Tell the flight attendants ahead of time that you have a neurological movement disorder, and while you will try and stay seated that will not always happen! It does not hurt to show disability papers of you have them, or a doctor's note also. I actually love to fly now that I have the right meds, and can sit with no one bugging me and read a whole book or catch up on research. I suggest a book with a plot not too hard to follow, but some thing that will keep your interest up. Try and get a seat in the emergency isle, as long as you are capable of doing those duties would there be an emergency. More leg room! Whatever you can use for distraction is the best thing to do, and try not to worry. Usually the anticipation of the event is actually worse than the actual event.

[Hidden in reply to nightdancer]

Read 50 Shades? Hahah.. Just kidding (maybe)

Isle seat is the key. =) I would ask for medication.

but only if you don't mind sleeping in the upright position.

[Altair in reply to Hidden]

I like this suggestion(!) That's one I hadn't thought of! Thanks for all tho others too. I recall spending a good part of an overnight transatlantic flight standing in the galley chatting to sympathetic stewardesses. A bit impractical for 24h to NZ.

[Hidden in reply to Altair]

I read all 3 in transit..time just flew right by.

I was blushing during the longest trip driving

to Canada for 17 hours. Now I believe that the

book is audio as well.. =) I made myself stop

reading once we arrived and I couldn't wait to

get back to the 2nd book for on the way home.

Very different type of book from my usual

reading lists.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

My husband drove and my grown son

sat in the front with him. I was alone in the

back just reading away...haha.

[cicek in reply to nightdancer]

Hi Nightdancer. Is Xanax like a sleeping pill? My doctor has given me sleeping pills but I have not felt the need to take them yet as my current meds are working. Do you know if sleeping pills work i.e. without the RLS waking you up? I have read some adverse comments on here about hallucinations etc. Thanks.

[Hidden in reply to cicek]

its a sedative cicek

[cicek in reply to Hidden]

OK thanks. A bit like Diazepam I expect.

[nightdancer in reply to cicek]

it is in the same class as Diazepam. For me, Xanax calms me, but does not put me out. I also take that before I get my steroid shots in my back, so my legs will not jump, which would be very bad. It is in the class of benzodiazepine meds, and you can look it up for side effects and interactions on drugs.com or rxlist.com Both very good reputable wen sites to read about meds. The 2ndc one is more detailed. Good luck!

[nightdancer in reply to cicek]

not like a sleeping pill at all. has a shorter half life, so it leaves your body quicker than a sleep med, although it can help you relax in the evening, too. All meds are different for different for different people, and as we always say it is trial and error. What happens to one person may not happen to you. All you can do is try them, and if you do not like them, then that trial is over. We can never promise what side effects each person will get, and no one can.

only a few people get the really bad side effects, but the information has to list all side effects, even if it only happens to one person.

[cicek in reply to nightdancer]

Thanks. You've been very helpful. I have DIazepam, Amytryptaline and sleeping tablets so if the RLS gets bad I have plenty to try. I agree about the side effects. I got very sick on Requip XL at first but am fine now. Worth persevering for the relief at night. 5 weeks now on Requip 4mg XL and so far so good. Symptoms not completely cured but very manageable at the moment.

[Hidden in reply to cicek]

Hi, hope you dont mind me butting in. But do you know that Amitryptaline(sp) can make RLS worse for most of us. there are exceptions to the rule. Just in case you didnt know. Good info to look at on what can make things worse is the treatment page on rlshelp.org

[nightdancer in reply to Hidden]

I, and most others (always an exception) BUT, amitriptyline is on every list for RLSer's to avoid. I know a couple of people who have RLS that it does not make it worse, but I can tell you my experience, and it was the closest I ever got to being suicidal from RLS, and it was the worst RLS I ever had since I was 14, so just a friendly warning, like Elisse said, in case you did not know. It is on the list of Drugs and Foods to Avoid on that web site that Elisse listed.

[cicek in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that info. I tried it a couple of nights and it made no difference anyway so will heed what you have said.

[Wollyhat123]

I am still getting amazing relief from rubbing DOVE liquid soap (only a bit with water) all over the lower part of my legs, and leaving it to dry. I had to come off Ropinorole two months ago but can honestly say this works just as well for me. No harm done in trying.

[thedragon in reply to Wollyhat123]

I really must try this but keep forgetting!

[1967bagpuss]

I've found the so sexy flight stockings, taking an extra tablet just before taking off and as well as walking up and down every so often just rotating ankles every 15 mins if I feel something coming on. Doesn't work for everyone but its something to think about.

[thedragon]

I did the london singapore NZ flight a few years ago. i hadnt discovered co codamol then but managed a bit with 4 nurofen plus at a time, plus lots and lots of walking up and down, there was quite a little group of wanderers around the plane so had some nice chats!

i wasnt brave enough to ask if they had the same problem as me! also i didnt sleep AT ALL!!!! the whole way there...i was too excited...an adventure on my own!!!!!

[thedragon]

Altair....I loved new Zealand...where are you going...have a brilliant time. LOVED it with a passion!!!!!!!!!

[Hidden in reply to thedragon]

Jealous! (me)

[Hidden]

I flew to Australia last all I done was to wear long elasticated socks to cover the full leg then take some sleeping piles The only thing you have to be carful of is the change in time when you take your tablets

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Most sleeping pills are on that "Not good for RLS" list.. they

can actually make rls worse. You might be in that other

percentile that takes them without any consequences.

For you, that's a blessing! =)

[nightdancer in reply to Hidden]

Which sleeping pills would you be referring to? I do not know of any actual sleep meds that are on that list to avoid. So, am asking for curiosity's sake and information's sake. Just asking.

[Hidden in reply to nightdancer]

OTC sleeping pills. My neurologist said that

they irritate rls in her experience from patient

reporting.

[nightdancer in reply to Hidden]

ok, not the prescription ones. I was not sure when you said sleeping pills. It is the ones that have Diphenhydramine in them, also found in Benedryl, allergy meds and OTC sleep meds. Unisom has several formulas, one without Benedryl. Also, allergy meds (OTC) with pseudoepinephrine, like Sudafed. Those two ingredients are well known to set off RLS for those who do not know. Thanks for clarifying that.

[Hidden in reply to nightdancer]

Ambein threw me for a loop in the hospital

after my surgery and when I went home with

them. I am unique- RLS fired up severe from

those.. I tried Lunesta (free trial- expensive little suckers) and had it happen again. I

am a poor canidate for both so I moved onto

the OTC..I don't think my RLS was ever

that bad. I contemplated ending my life..

I also told the doctor this and I was ordered

to take Vicodin.. to regain control of myself

for several nights.

That's my story with it, I'm sticking to it. =)

[Baristamama]

Have you tried hypnotherapy. Very good in my opinion and so might help on long haul.

[cumoneileen]

Make sure you take regular walks. Take your Ropinorole and I would also take Co Co codamol, IT works. good luck.