Husband just sent me this article on a possible treatment for RLS.
I’m a little sceptical because they only studied 5 patients and 3 of those were taking anti depressants ( 1 stopped & of course RLS improved) & 2 had clearly suffered augmentation on DAs & were taking other DAs.
Only one had not been taking anti depressants or DAs.
The study is too small to be taken seriously but it may be another supplement that could possibly help one or two people.
I may try to get hold of some and I’ll let you know if it helps.
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Joolsg
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Tried searching for this online in the UK and can’t find any pills anywhere. I managed to find Kalanchoe tincture ( apparently Kalanchoe is an alternative name for Bryophytes). So I doubt I’ll be able to experiment.
This study is an attempt to demonstrate that the use of a "natural" remedy can be used to relieve RLS/PLMS symptoms.
The rationale for doing this is that the current standard medications have side effects.
So it sets out with good intent.
Since it seems that there is evidence that BP has both sedative and muscle relaxant properties then it's proposed it can help with RLS. This doesn't necessarily follow, sedative-muscle relaxants e.g. benzodiazepines aren't particularly helpful for RLS.
I confess I only scan read the report but I was a little confused by it. I wasn't clear what particular medications each of the five subjects were taking. It appears a potentially horrendous mixture of dopamine agonists, levodopa and several medications which make RLS worse e.g. antacids, anti-hypertensives and antidepressants.
I 'm also not sure if the BP is being suggested as an alternative medicine or as a complementary medicine.
Not just the limited number of subjects, but the study design i.e. case studies is of limited value in demonstrating the effectiveness. There being no placebo control is particularly significant.
I also note one of the researchers is an employee of the company producing the BP and the company funded the research whuch raises the question of bias.
By all means give it go and let us know. Are you intending to try it as well as taking a RLS medication, instead of one (i.e. a replacement) or are you not currently taking any medication?
I can confirm that I had the symptoms of either restless legs or neuropathy. Consultant stopped the medication I was taking for three months. A member on this forum mentioned some anti depessants can also cause these symptoms. I stopped those (citalopram) too. I don't know which w ere the possible cause of the symptoms I had, but now, some months on I have had no further symptoms.
I hope to discuss this with my consultant when I next have a telephone appointment.
There is a list of antidepressants which can cause these symptoms. I found the list on line.
Citalopram was my downfall into severe RLS and mirtazepine helped on the way down.
No comment on that from the neurologist I subsequently saw. The only iron I was made aware of was in his soul.
All I recall was him saying you have idiopathic RLS , take these tablets, take one a day for a week, then you can take 2, then a week later two more. That's six a day. You'll probably have to take them for life!
I took them all!
After a while I reduced from 6 tablets to 3. This was because each of the 3 I took were twice the dose of each of the 6 I took.
Well, now, with hindsight, I feel sure it most probably was the Citalopram that caused my symptoms. Looking back on those past months of painful sensations it was you I have to thank for drawing my attention to this drug. I'm crossing my fingers that they don't return. The other interesting thing is how right you were about the limited knowledge of this complaint our doctors actually have. We just have to do our own research to enable us to to help ourselves as much as possible.
How are you these days Manerva? Has your condition improved, worsened or changed? I hope the vIrus didn't get to yo or your family.
Being in lockdown would have meant you, like the rest of us probably didn't get much exercise either. Exercise seems to help many people with Restless Leg Syndrome so how have you managed?
Finding things to fill time was another thing to deal with and to combat boredom too. Besides gardening, sorting, cleaning, I started to learn a language, which Im still doing. I also started researching some local history and at the moment I'm researching the history and origin of Nursery rhymes. Some are quite dark and quite sad but compelling and fascinating never the less.
Well, it's been a lovely day today, so my spirits are high. Now I think I'll get myself a nice cup of coffee and put my feet up.
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Tips for a new UK sufferer
Restless Leg Syndrome and Mirapex
