There's always amputation .... :)

[Lizzie1950]

Sitting here almost at bedtime and my right leg from the side of my foot and moving on up is 'plugged in'. Hate this feeling. I take codeine (not a heavy dose) when things get too bad but want to be cautious with that. I am limited what else I can take because of interactions with warfarin and heart meds. My vitamin and mineral balance all showing fine on recent blood tests. I believe my RLS is hereditary as my mother and grandmother both had it. I'm now 66 years old and it's becoming a real nuisance. I am still working four days a week and really need my sleep. I have recently started a course of acupuncture; the practitioner is confident it will help to some degree (I also have fibromyalgia and she says it can all be related). However, it will need at least ten treatments. Anyone else had any luck with acupuncture for RLS?

[Joolsg]

Hi Lizzie,

Acupuncture did nothing for my RLS but it should help your fibromyalgia & who knows, it may work for your RLS.

Would pregabalin or gabapentin interact with your heart meds? They are useful for RLS so maybe discuss with your Doctor.

And amputation wouldn't work as people get RLS in phantom limbs. We've all considered it though!!

[Hidden]

Really looking forward to reading the replies to this post. Never thought of acupuncture. I have had acupuncture before for a different complaint .... PMS. And this type of treatment (for me, for this ailment) was successful. Can't believe no-one has ever suggested this to me before.

[Hidden]

Acupuncture never did anything for my RLS either. I cant say i have heard of anyone that it has helped over any length of time. As Jools has suggested discuss with your doctor if either Gabapentin or Pregabalin would work for you.

[involuntarydancer]

Spent a lot on acupuncture - more I think than the cost of my relaxis pad which seemed inordinately expensive but at least does some good. Wish I had saved the money on the acupuncture. It did nothing for my RLS.

Have you had your serum ferritin checked. It should be over 100. Raising the level can often have a very beneficial effect. Often the GP will tell you your level is 'normal' but you need to get the actual figure. Normal for RLS is totally different than for the general public. Thus, my 37 was 'normal' but my RLS was attrocious and improved greatly when I raised my level to over 130.

[Whirlwind in reply to involuntarydancer]

I am hoping that the way Ferritin levels is described differently as well. I've received had two infusions but prior to that it was 11.

[Lizzie1950]

My ferritin is 130. I would like to try the Relaxis pad but I live in New Zealand and it's not available here. Even if it was I can't see how they justify the huge cost of it. But if it works I guess I'd find the money. My acupuncture is being covered by my health insurance for the first $800 so I'm not under any financial stress there. Will give me enough time to see if it helps. If it 'only' helps the fibromyalgia and not the RLS directly it will still be worth it, I'm thinking. I am reluctant to try any prescription drugs even if they don't interact directly with my current ones for my heart. I would have to be convinced that the risk of side effects is less than the risk to my health for not taking them. So it looks like Gabapentin would be okay for me meds-wise - I'm interested in others' experiences of it, please?

[Whirlwind in reply to Lizzie1950]

I hated it! It did nothing for me and I put three stones on. It then took me six months to come off it because of the high dose I was on. But..... this was just my experience and I'm sure it's helped plenty of others it just wasn't for me.

[Bee27]

Hi

I need to try acupuncture. Hope it works for you.

I went out for a meal at a posh Italian restaurant with my husbands family. My leg was so bad that I had to leave the table and go for a walk outside. I managed to sit there in pain and eat my meal, then had to stand while they all enjoyed coffee and liqueurs. It was all so embarrassing. I just came home and cried.

[LotteM in reply to Bee27]

I am so sorry for you, bee. What is supposed to be a real joy has simply been torture for you. Sending you my shoulder to cry on

[Lizzie1950]

Am wondering how many of you get RLS in just one leg or part of one leg. At the moment mine starts just above my right ankle and travels up the outside of the calf and then up the outside of my thigh. It's not a pain, no jumping or twitching, no pins/needles or tingling; just like a sort of nervous sensation. Does this still sound like RLS to you? I am noticing it also even when I sit down (within 30 seconds of sitting). Odd. Interestingly, when I had my acupuncture today she put needles down that 'path' I just described, and after about five minutes I started getting a dull ache radiating up the calf. That hasn't happened before with the other parts of my leg she treated.