I was trying to find out online if Epson's salt baths could work for RLS and I found something far better: Magnesium Chloride Flakes.
Many people try Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts) for pain relief but according to what I read, those who use Magnesium Chloride Flakes ultimately find longer lasting, deeper relief.
I have decided to buy it today and try it out.
They sell it on Amazon at different prices depending on the weight. 3 lb cost $19.95.
In the UK you'll find it on betteryou.com, 1kg £9.95
Product ratings are all between 4.5 and 5 stars.
Written by
Micafe
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Amazon ratings aren't a great thing to go by. I've read so many 5* reviews that said something along the lines of "I bought this for <insert family member here> and I am sure they will love it when they get it." OR 5* "I've bought these seeds and can't wait for next year to see if they germinate."
I've spent many, many hours in float tanks (very high concentration of Mg salts) and never found it of any benefit to RLS or pain in general. In fact, there were a number of sessions I had to cancel/abort because of RLS symptoms. I not that the packaging says for Restless legs and has some calming oils in as well, that puts me thinking it may be for someone who is feeling a bit restless as opposed to someone with restless legs SYNDROME.
BUT - if it works for you great, long may it last.
I'm currently using the Better You magnesium flakes. I've no idea if they help I'm afraid as my legs still kick off. They may help someone who has mild symptoms. Unfortunately mine are severe. But I hope they will be of some benefit to you.
Hi. Well I used them this evening and had a nice soak in the bath. It's now 1.40am UK time and I've had to come downstairs as my rls has started up again! So no relief for me. I've been using them for about a week. I'd tried them about 4/5 months ago when my symptoms were just awful as I was withdrawing from ropinirole and it didn't help me at all. I thought I'd give them another try now that I'm ropinirole free. Maybe I'm expecting a miracle! But I do hope that they help you.
I agree. It's a big shame really. Since stopping the ropinirole albeit some 3/4 months ago, I was hoping that with the meds I'm taking, my symptoms would be much better. Maybe my body is still adjusting, who knows?! My consultant has gone awol and my meds need tweaking but as I can't get hold of him my GP is reluctant to do much regarding these. I think I'm suffering from post DA brain freeze! Oh well, onwards and upwards as they say.
Yes, it makes me angry that folk can go along to the doctors with rls and get these tablets. After all this time of doling out these things they should know in the long run they do more harm than good. Yet I went to my gp and asked for targinact a couple of years ago he almost exploded at me. “NO ABSOLUTELY NOT “ was his reply.
However, NICE only state it’s recommended after dopamine agonists have failed and it’s not ‘guidance’.
I think we need to campaign/write to NICE to make it a recommendation so that GPs don’t freak out. If they could see us going through the horrors of DA withdrawal, GPs would realise they are the real horror drugs, not low dose opioids. Sigh...
Does anyone have a good video of their symptoms during withdrawal? Or just severe symptoms. If you go the NICE route, such videos may be very helpful to substantiate the claim. If needed, I think most of is can re-enact them, but I am afraid they then still miss the urgency of the real thing.
I just wish I had thought to ask husband to take a video! However we were both too traumatised to even think about it at the time. I couldn’t even speak - he was too upset and trying desperately to help by massaging my legs in between searching internet for help ( non existent).
Thanks Soph- sadly it is extremely common. The overwhelming majority of people withdrawing from dopamine agonists go through a terrible time, even if they reduce very slowly. The problem is that doctors have no idea how bad it is so do not provide support.
Thanks Meritus. At the time I did try the Better You flakes but nothing was helping me. 3 years post withdrawing from DA's and my symptoms are now much better by switching to buprenorphine. It is a life saver for me! I do still use magnesium flakes every night though. I'm glad they help you with your symptoms.
I am at last getting some sleep since discovering 'BetterYou' Magnesium Sleep Lotion which is also sold with their Flakes and Lights Out oral spray which is 50mg of hydroxytrptophan. The flakes were soothing in a foot bath but did not reduce my rls. However, the Magnesium lotion suppresses it sufficiently to sleep through the kicking most nights. I have stopped taking mg tablets which were no longer effective but do still use the Restiffic foot wraps when the rls first comes on until it begins to subside and then apply the lotion from knees to shins. I can't find the posts on HU that alerted me to this treatment which has proved a real Godsend.
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