Calf massager cuffs are helping me sleep!

[Jenn1977]

I recently purchased some massager cuffs online. They are like two blood pressure cuffs that you can wrap around your legs. They have three different pressure levels and two different settings. The pressure when they squeeze my legs almost eliminates my symptoms. I use them at night when I'm falling asleep. The timer will go off. When I wake up I just turn them back on. They are kind of noisy so I fold a heavy quilt and lay it on top of the controller. This drowns out the noise. It took me a little bit of trial and error to get them fitted properly on my legs. There are a couple of cords that you have to deal with but I have managed to figure out how to make it comfortable for me so I can sleep. Nothing else has worked. I have been on gabapentin almost a year. It year. It worked well at first but is no longer effective. I'm only on 400 mg but I'm going to ask for an increase during my next visit with my sleep doctor. I also have the heating pad that I will wrap around my calves and tie it with the tie I use for my robe. The heat also helps me be able to sleep.

[Hidden]

Great that the device enables you to get to sleep albeit sounding uncomfortable.

I was worried at first reading, but it's good there's a timer. I'd be concerned if the cuffs were inflated for too long.

The other thing is if the device inflates at a continuous rather than fluctuating pressure, you may find compression stockings just as effective. These would be more comfortable, make no noise and don't need controls, wires, tubes etc.

400mg is less than half the typical minimum effective dose of gabapentin of 900mg. Some people require more. As it currently doesn't appear to be working it may be worthwhile increasing it to 900mg at least.

In case you weren't aware, the first thing that should be considered for RLS is if you have an iron deficiency. Brain iron deficiency is strongly associated with RLS.

It's recommended that blood tests for serum iron, transferrin, ferritin and haemoglobin be carried out.

If haemoglobin is low, i.e. iron deficiency anaemia, this in itself can cause RLS. If it isn't but ferritin is low i.e. under 50ug/L then it's worth taking an iron supplement which could raise it. It could take months, but it has been found that raising it to at least 100ug/L relieves RLS in 50% of cases.

There is some recent evidence that 60% of people who receive an IV iron infusion can get symotom relief for up to 24 weeks without any medication.

Other supplements that may help are magnesium, vitamin B12, D and E.

There are quite a few things which can aggravate RLS and some people can get relief from avoiding these.

The most common "triggers" fir RLS include alcohol, added sugar, or foods wuth simple sugars or refined carbohydrate in them.

If you have any food intolerances e.g. gluten or lactose avoiding these will help. Anything causing chronic inflammation can make RLS worse and therefore an anti-inflammatory diet may help.

There is also quite a long list of medications which can make RLS worse, so if you are taking any other medications it's worth naming these to see if they may be making your RLS worse.

It seems to be often the case that doctors don't mention these things just prescribe something like gabapentin, but then don't prescribe a sufficient dose.

[Ranjits in reply to Hidden]

Thanks lot this is very helpful

God bless you with good legs😀

[BoldMove]

Thanks for the post. I found leg cuffs on Amazon that are battery operated. They are sold individually and I ordered 2 at $18.95 each. They are due to arrive on the 30th. I once had a flat, continuous massager that helped a lot except on extreme nights, but wore out after multi-year use. I never found another like it. This gives me hope.

[mw65]

I am keen to find some type of massage device for my calves. Massage can help me but is short term and the relief often doesn't last long enough to allow me to get to sleep.

Are you able to tell me what device you tried so I can have a look. All I have found so far is fell length mattress type things.

Thanks