Hypnotherapy

[Smiffyliz]

Has anyone tried hypnotherapy or homeopathy for RLS. I did years ago but with no effect. I also read that antihistamine makes it worse. I do take one for itchy skin. GP advised me to buy an over counter sleeping pill and that contains antihistamine. Can’t have prescription one as have sleep apnea and not recommended

[Madlegs1]

Both those treatments work for some people- but not all.

Antihistamines are not good for rls for most sufferers.

There are plenty of sleeping pills that don't have antihistamine. --- Stilnoct (Ambien), or Halcion both work well at low dose and don't leave you groggy the next day.

Eurax cream is good for itchy skin. Otherwise there are antihistamine meds that are ok - I just don't have their names to hand- but someone will come to update this.

Good luck.

[Denm27]

Hi, I tried hypnotherapy for rls, they copied all the sessions onto MP3 so I could listen to them at night to help me sleep. But unfortunately it didn't really help. But the hypnotherapist actually told me to ask my doctor about dopamine and he put me on tablets that did work, and it's like being in heaven.

[Denm27 in reply to Denm27]

Sorry, the drug was Pramipexole. D

[Gingermac]

“nonsedating antihistamines such as loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) are usually not a problem in terms of RLS” The advice seems to be avoid the antihistamines that make you sleepy as they usually contain diphenhydramine which can make rls worse. This if found in OTC drugs like Nytol, Benadryl and Benylin Cough medicine.

So perhaps best to avoid Nytol. If you can’t take other sleep meds due to your sleep apnea then you may need to look into other meds to calm your restless legs so you can sleep.

Sorry can’t help with Hypnotherapy.

[Gingermac in reply to Gingermac]

Another thought - could your itchy skin be a symptom of RLS? I’m sure other people here will know more than me.

If it’s mild eczema then I’d highly recommend Cetreben Cream. It’s available from most pharmacies and worked a treat for me - have got rid of my steroid cream as this does the job.

[Neil46]

My RLS was always accompanied by insatiable itching in any part of my body, no rash or outward sign of a cause, but like the legs as soon as I scratched one place another itched and so on, constantly. Now my RLS is controlled (pregabalin 100mg) my itching has stopped too. I never took meds for the itch but found blissful temporary relief trying out my wife's cooling body lotions. I also took hot epsom salt baths.

[He-en in reply to Neil46]

Hi, interested to hear that your itching has stopped with Lyrica.

I have small fibre neuropathy and itch/sting/prickle for hours. Always brought on by being cold.

SFN diagnosed by nerve biopsies ask I know is SFN. I won’t take Lyrica as heard so many reports of very nasty side effects. One being huge weight gain which is also bad for heath!

What side effects have you suffered if any? I can’t see the point of taking something which causes SE that are just as bad as the condition.

Would love to hear from you as to how you’ve been affected.

Thank you

[Neil46 in reply to He-en]

Hi He-en, The itching was a part of my RLS since I first started to twitch and also stopped when my RLS was controlled by Ropinirole or Pramipexole. It felt like an anxious itch, which sounds like a silly thing to say but it did make me feel anxious.

I think all of the meds for RLS (and many other conditions) have a bad side effect lurking somewhere. Lyrica (pregabalin) is only one of them and I feel happier with pregab than i did with Rop.

I am watching my weight and i am aware that some people have experienced augmentation with pregab. The main problem for me when taking it is sleepiness but that is slowly passing. I only take 25mg once or twice a day now, not the 50mg twice a day because of that sedation effect.

I hope that you soon find relief for your SFN.

Best Wishes

Neil

[He-en in reply to Neil46]

Thanks for your reply Neil.

So you haven’t put on any weight on Lyrica?

I don’t have a diagnosis of RLS only Small Fibre Neuropathy but wonder if I have both.

Do you get side effects from only 25 mg at night apart from the the sleepiness? Does 25 mg taken at night help the next day? did your symptoms of Rls get better as the day goes on as mine do? The mornings are the worst for me as if my system needs to gear up.

So weary of these awful symptoms but so afraid to take drugs fir them when I already HAVE to take drugs for cancer.

Thanks again,

Helen

[Neil46 in reply to He-en]

Hi Helen, I haven't yet put on weight but I am having to fight myself - I don't have treats in the cupboard because I am so weak-willed I will eat them all! lol

My side effects are lessening even with only 25mg Lyrica (pregabalin). I am still sleepy but can perform better now. I am adding kitchen cabinets at the mo.

I still have dull headaches, no change, and I have neck pain and swollen neck glands. Not happy about that so will visit doc next week. Scared to move up to 50mg for those reasons.

Just the same as you I am calm for most of the day but early morning I have usual jumpy legs. Got up at 4.30 this morning for an hour's walk round the house. Maybe if I can get to 50mg that will ease too?

Helen, please look at youtube The LDN Story. (about an hour long) I have the book and have learned so much.

Kind Regards

Neil

[He-en in reply to Neil46]

Thanks so much for your reply.

I’m ok whilst I am warm. If I change temperature e.g go out to the bathroom in the night then my symptoms start up!

Getting out of bed in the mornings is a nightmare and I have to warm my clothes with a hair dryer to try and maintain my body temp.

I have to wear thermal leggings under jeans all the time or I sting and itch . Arms and legs are the worst.

So frightened to try Lyrica as I need to be able to focus. Learning scripts and music etc.

Also 5 nearly 6 grandchildren and I still tutor some evenings.

Can’t remember if I said earlier but my diagnosis is for small fibre neuropathy not RLS but both neurological and symptoms seem to overlap dramatically.

I do hope you get relief without side effects. It’s daft swapping one set of symptoms for another! I can’t believe how little our doctors know about these diseases.

I spend loads of time trying to find answers/dilutions and have tried so many things. E.g. massage, hypnotherapy, herbalism, naturopathic meds, 5 day fast, several elimination diets, allergy treatments and so on. They can send men to the moon, surely there must be some help for neuro disorders !

Good luck with your treatment.

Helen 🙏😃🙏