Relief from intense RLS

[Jwunder]

Hi, just thought I'd mention an experience I had with rls that might be helpful. About 10 years ago, I went through the horrible rls associated with opiate withdrawal (more like restless body syndrome). It lasted about a month. I didn't have access to any meds like gabapentin, but I did have a ton of vitamin and herbal supplements of all kinds, and in my desperation, tried them all. None of them worked, except one. Quercetin powder in high dosages (possibly several grams) actually killed that intense rls for a while. It surprised me. I thought it was just an antioxidant. I've heard it's toxic in high doses, so I don't know if it's a good idea to do on a regular basis, but it was the only otc thing that relieved my suffering at that time. Just thought I'd pass it on.

[Hidden]

If you have read that its toxic in high doses then probably the best idea is to not take it at all.

[Hidden]

I appreciate you're trying to help, but I read that Quercetin supplement should be limited to 1 gram per day and only for 12 weeks. In high doses, it can lead to kidney damage.

I'd say that RLS due to opiate withdrawal is one thing, Idiopathic RLS is another. The former should in fact resolve on its own.

I'm glad that you think it helped, how are you now?

[Goldy700]

Thanks for that Jwunder - many people who get RLS are intolerant to histamines and Quercetin has a strong antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effect. Perhaps that is why it works well for you.

In a recent study at John Hopkins University, scientists discovered that histamine receptors were substantially higher in RLS patients.

"We examined histamine receptors in substantia nigra tissue obtained from the RLS Foundation's collection of RLS brains (6 females) and from age-matched controls (6 females) from the Harvard Brain Bank. In the nigra, histamine receptor 3 staining was more intense in 5 of the 6 RLS patients as compared to their age-matched controls. Histamine receptor 2 staining followed a similar pattern: staining was more intense in RLS nigra 4 out of 6 times as compared to controls. The staining was primarily confined to the neuromelanin cells."

Richard P. Allen, James R. Connor, Amanda M. Snyder and Christopher J. Earley - "Restless Legs Syndrome and Histamine" Neurology Department, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Histamine Intolerance may also be involved with your inability to sleep at night, even when your legs are taking a break from twitching.

from "Histamine and the Brain (Histadelia)" on Total Health Clinic.com

"High levels of histamine can cause agitation, irritability and sleep cycle disturbances. Low levels of histamine are associated with feeling tired."

[Abookwriter2 in reply to Goldy700]

One of the recommended supplements in rlcure.com is quercetin and dietary changes are anti-histamine (coffee raises histamine levels as does chocolate/sugar). I’d recommend looking at this for advice and the doctor and RLS users’ testimonials speak for themselves as does the fact its all free motivated by RLS suffering.

[Hidden in reply to Abookwriter2]

Now this is where some things that are said to make RLS worse or be a trigger dont always follow, for ME coffee has no impact on my RLS in fact i have found that coffee can actually help calm my RLS.

[ke34715 in reply to Hidden]

I've also found that coffee can frequently calm my RLS, most especially when symptoms show up in the very early morning or the daytime. It sounds counterintuitive but, like you, it works for me at times when I really need to sleep!

[Lapsedrunner in reply to ke34715]

Yes, I keep caffeine tablets by my bed as they help me, mad as it sounds.

I have never felt that caffeine intake generally affect me, I know it does others.

[Hidden in reply to Lapsedrunner]

Most foods and drinks stuff is an individual thing. They dont apply to everyone. Caffeine is a stimulant , thats why we get told best to avoid it, so we can sleep.!! But seems some of us find it actually helps to calm our RLS.

[Abookwriter2 in reply to Lapsedrunner]

Sadly, yesterday, I wanted a latte (I make my own 1/2 decaf too!) and it caused me a sleepless night and restless legs for the first time in a week! Staying strict.

[Hidden]

I appreciate you sharing with us; it’s always helpful to get tips!