Sensory deprivation for RLS?

[madman1]

Hello all,

I have been following posts here for a while but I have never noticed anyone mentioning something that I have found helpful for my RLS. I used to sleep in just some shorts but noticed that if I put on socks before bed it helped some with the RLS symptoms. I then took note that for me, part of the problem was when the RLS made me need to move my legs, the sensation of the sheets rubbing my skin seemed to exacerbate my RLS, like it somehow felt good and made me want to keep moving. I then progressed to wearing long top and bottom pajamas. This made a significant difference as it became a type of sensory deprivation as I could not feel the same sensations of my skin rubbing against the bed sheets when I moved. My symptoms sometimes actually involve RLS sensations in my arms and hands so I tried wearing some thin cotton gloves (we refer to them as "jersey gloves" here in the US). The gloves, along with the pajamas and socks provide a barrier to a lot of the sensations that seemed to make the RLS worse so wearing them to bed has helped me. I just wondered of anyone else here has tried this in addition to meds, etc.?

[Hidden]

I've had the pleasure of using a sensory deprivation tank and for me when the RLS was playing up I couldn't go near it. I did try several times to settle in it but the urge to move my legs just kept going. Glad to hear something is helping - long may it last.

[Alex2308]

For me quite the opposite works - to calm down my feet I need stronger sensations. So I run air conditioner at night so the temperature while I sleep is around 17 degrees Celsius. While I sit and work at my computer I use slippers with heavy-duty heated soles connected to powerful USB outlet. So I literally freeze my feet at night and fry them in the daytime.

[Annieapple]

Some people find weighted blankets help them too. All this works for me for 5 mins & then I feel SO unbearably hot 🥵 & so we go on....glad it works well for you though & it may just help some one else too! Thanks for sharing