Jacuzzi?

[cjouelle]

Would a hot tub or jacuzzi aid in the symptoms of RLS? I realize this is not an option for most people, but it occurred to me that the warm water and jets in a hot tub might provide some relief.

[Histology2020]

I bought a hot tub thinking this may help and to be honest, it makes no difference. I find walking, and cycling help alittle.

[cjouelle in reply to Histology2020]

Thanks for your feedback. Good information to know!

[Tobias10 in reply to Histology2020]

I do have a tub with jets that my husband put in years ago when I had a problem with my back and one hip. A hot bath used to be a great relief for my RLS but this year it has progressed by leaps and the hot bath does not always help. When I was withdrawing from Mirapex and went for 17 days with no sleep I was in the tub 2-3 times a day and our water bill doubled. I thought about looking into a hot tub because that way the water would be there all the time, hot and treated, but I joked that if I fell asleep in the hot tub I would need to wear a life jacket to be sure I did not slip down under the water. Sometimes a hot bath helps and others times it does nothing

[Sampsie]

Wouldn't that be fabulous if you could get a bath at home with jets installed? Followed by a great sleep. When I have been in a hot tub it hasn't helped though. Shame!

[erinjee]

We have one and I do find that it helps some. It’s often last resort because it’s cold and late if I go there, I have to be careful to not fall asleep in there alone at 3am. It’s not a cure all but yes, some relief occasionally.

[Insomniak]

I don’t have a jacuzzi but I certainly find that a hot bath especially with Epsom salts added helps a lot. Totally agree that falling asleep in the bath can then be an issue 😂

[Pagan707 in reply to Insomniak]

I think Epsom salts in a bath really help too.

[atbaggy]

can i ask if your RLS is caused by medication side affect ?

[Tobias10 in reply to atbaggy]

no one knows what causes RLS or how to effectively treat it in a manner that will work consistently or long term or for everyone. A study is being conducted at Yale based on the theory that people with RLS have a specific hormone that sends excess signals to the nerves and muscles and tells them to respond to often or over-respond to the signals.

[Wiggler]

I have one and it does help when I’m really wound up. Not least of all it gives you something to do and focus on. It has some powerful jets for the legs that helps to alleviate the constant urge to clench my legs and arm. I have bought a neck support pillow to stop me sliding under if/when I fall asleep!!

[MS5857]

My husband has severe rls throughout his body. We have a hot tub and he's in it everynight!

[Shumbah]

If you find the heat helps you might like to try am electric blanket. I have found the electric blanket really good for pain within 20 minutes my pain is gone .

I have it on really high for at least the 20 minutes often longer which is 6 and I sleep with it on low 1.

I must admit I get up without old age pains in the morning when I use the metric blanket.

Prior to the electric blanket I was constantly refilling my hot water bottles and heating heat packs .The electric blankets works so much better.

We have a spa , steam room and sauna and ice cold plunge pool They have not helped the RLS , they mess up my hair though 🤣

For me the electric blanket is cheap and really makes a significant difference .

I highly recommend it and it does not mess up my hair 😅

[Ranjits]

For me cold shower on legs help

[Hidden]

My experience may be different that other some of the other people here but my jacuzzi/hot tubs have be invaluable in the treatment of my severe, refractory RLS. I live in Florida so I can use it almost all winter (we rarely go below 40 F/4 C at at night during the winter). I keep my jacuzzi no higher than 94 F/35 C even in the winter. I use it when I am having a bad time with my RLS before I sleep or it wakes me up, or with my mild peripheral neuropathy.

I get in my jacuzzi, turn the pump on low, crank up the programmable cycling LEDs, turn on the waterfall for white noise, plop my butt in a corner seat and read my Kindle Reader (placed in a quart sized zip lock bag to make it waterproof). I will eventually fall asleep.

I absolutely do not move when I am in the jacuzzi and I have been doing this for years without tipping into the water in my sleep. The motion of the water overdrives the unpleasant sensations of the RLS/peripheral neuropathy. Usually if my legs are too warm, it makes my RLS worse, but it is not a factor in the jacuzzi.

I have had a couple of rude awakenings due to unexpected, nighttime thunderstorms, though. Usually I awaken just before dawn when the birds start singing. My record sleep time is 7 uninterrupted hours. Other than being pruney, no side effects or hyperthermia. My neurologist knows that I do this.

This treatment is preferable to taking breakthrough oxycodone and I will not get in the jacuzzi if I have more than 5mg of oxycodone on board for safety reasons. For me, this is an invaluable tool for managing my RLS.

Before you try sleeping in your jacuzzis, you need to have someone monitor you for a number of times to make sure it is safe for you. My husband used to sit out there with me when I was sleeping to make sure I was going to be OK. I will go to bed on my back and not move all night, so this makes it safe for me.

For what it is worth;

Jerold in Citrus Park FL USA

[divasmom8]

I have severe RLS throughout my entire body, 24/7. I am prescribed Methadone and it does help significantly. However, there are days that nothing helps. I have tried sitting in the hot tub and it usually makes my symptoms worse. My RLS is a symptom of Multiple Sclerosis and heat is not kind to people with MS. My situation is unusual, but RLS none the less and may not pertain at all to what you suffer with. I truly hope you find some relief soon.

[dklohrey]

I have found stress to be a contributor to RLS symptoms. I would think that a hot tub or jacuzzi would help a bit. For me, alcohol is the worst. Two beers and I am up half the night.

[ahome4u]

When the legs were acting up, I used to get out of bed and go soak in a tub of very warm water. But by the time I'd get undressed, get in the tub, get out, dry myself off, get dressed again and get back in bed, I wasn't very sleepy any more. I now go to my laundry room, put a lap size blanket in the dryer. Then I fill a basin with hot water, soak a tea towel in the hot water, rub it up and down my legs. I even wrap the hot wet towel around my neck, splash my arms and other exposed body parts with hot water. I then grab the towel out of the dryer, run back to bed and wrap the warm towel around my legs. It sounds like a lot of steps, but it helps not a lot, but somewhat when I'm desparate. In the summer I skip the blanket in dryer, but with winter and the house much cooler, it's nice. Crazy what we'll do for a little relief.

[Dakota13]

Hello, I have a jacuzzi tub and it helps me quite a bit. When I’m going crazy I do get relief while I’m in the tub. However, when I get out the RLS starts in again I usually turn off the lights, get my tub pillow and relax. Good luck to you.