Hi to all my fellow sufferers. I have had RLS for 15-20 years now, I dont suffer anywhere near some of the members on here but I spent many years trying to understand what I was suffering from and worse, trying to explain to people how it feels.
My suffering comes late in the evening most days, then hours of shuffling with that 'cant sit still feeling.' Anyway I know you're all familliar with the symptoms down to things that helped and where I am now.....
Laying flat on my front takes the pain away, pain killers (anti-inflams), warm baths, sunshine/warm weather.
I always put the relief (less symptoms) down to drinking more water/fluids in warmer weather but it wasn't until very recent I realised my lower back and leg tops were always cold too touch. I started putting two and two together, I believe my RLS is due to poor circulation. I purchased a hot-water bottle £12.00. I apply a hot as I can on my cold areas for 2-3hrs in the evening.
It's now been 8 weeks and I have not had the RLS any evening with direct heat. I would say touch your lower back and hips/tops of thighs, if they are cold to touch give the hot water bottle a go.
I hope it lasts, I'll up date in another few months. Best wishes and thoughts to all my fellow RLS sufferers.
Written by
Fidget100
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Oh what a lovely and happy post. Whatever you are doing, it seems to be working for you. Thank you for sending us the good news. Others may well be interested in trying this heat thing out for themselves. Hot water bottles are relatively cheap to buy so nothing lost by trying one out. Hope it continues to work for you. Keep us posted. Chrys
That's great. Sometimes iron and vitamin deficiency may impair circulation. There are electronic foot massagers which improve foot warmth and circulation but special compression socks or warm bed socks can help sleep and circulation. Well done.
Interesting. I think it’s normal for your thighs to feel cool to the touch, isn’t it, relative to your hands of course? I find that if my legs feel hot it makes RLS worse. A warm bath helps some, but I have one of those most nights and it makes no difference to me.
As I understand it, RLS is related to dopamine levels in the brain, which are affected by ferritin levels in the blood within the brain. Therefore I don’t think it can be classed as a circulatory disorder as such, but who knows?
I took Sifrol for 5 year (I'm also in Australia) with the same dose as recommended to you. It worked great for the first 2 years, then I struggled a lot with it. It's very addictive, it's not a long term solution. When I first tried to stop it, I couldn't believe how hard it was. There are also reports that it worsens the underlying RLS. I guess it really messes with your dopamine mechanisms, and probably your gut bacteria.
If you do go down that path, I suggest starting very slow, such as half the dose for 3 nights in a row then stop. Observe carefully what is happening to your body.
Delighted you are getting relief, it can be a long slog with a dim light at the end of the tunnel so I always find it heartening when someone finds their solution.
I had a RLS spray of essential oils that you massaged into the lower back. When my good lady wife was good enough to give me a good massage with the oil and my lower back upper buttocks were worked I got some relief. I put that down to either doing something to circulation or nerves and never for a moment thought of heat so thanks for pointing me in that direction - I just put my hand on my lower back and it is significantly colder than the skin on my arms which are exposed. I will have to try the hot water bottle tonight.
It's also interesting that you mention sunshine, what way do you feel it helps?
Thank you Fidget100 - makes sense. I always get relief by having a hot bath. I may try your tip. It can be disruptive getting up at 2 am and running a bath. I also find walking bare feet on cold wet grass helpful as well - it increases circulation.
Some find heat helps some cold. I dont like the heat, makes my legs start up. BUT, i use a heat pad at night sometimes, and even during the day. i have to have my free standing fan on in the bedroom i need cool. the heat pad i lay across my lower back, not on my legs. and lay on my tummy and that can help when having a bad night. The heat pad has a timer so switches off after an hour and half, i then just switch it back on when i wake again with RLS. I cant use it in the summer months tho, i get too hot and that sets my legs off.
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