Circulation booster

[Aetje]

One more question , does an circulation booster machine which you can buy from the chemist does any good for my extreme RLS?

Thanks for the reply on the Restiffic pad yes they are very expansive you suggested foot massage which feels soooo good hence my question about the circulation booster before I run to the chemist to buy one.

Walked most of the night did a lot of reading about this wonderful site.

[Elffindoe]

There are various devices and other "mechanical" measures that might be of some help for RLS.

It seems to me these fall into two categories.

1) devices that help increase blood flow to or from the limbs.

2) those that produce "counterirritation".

As regards the first, these may help in some cases as hypoxia, a lack of oxygen, is a factor in RLS. This can also happen in conditions like diabetes. The devices are ones that increase blood flow, usually by applying pressure.

As regards the second, these are based on the theory that stimulating some " fast" sensory nerves going to the spine can block signals along "slow" nerves. In this case it usually applies to pain. Pain nerves are "slow" and touch nerves are fast.

Measures in this case stimulate touch nerves by vibration, electrical current, (TENS) or by localised heat.

However, in the first case, if blood flow is not a problem then the devices may be of limited value.

Devices and couterirritant ointments are also of little value.

In addition it is often assumed that anything that is known to relieve pain will also reduce RLS sensations. This is not the case. The sensory nerves in RLS are different and in addition, unlike pain, RLS also affects "motor" nerves.

Where the devices and other measures do help, it is usually only temporary, i.e. as long as they're applied.

It's not always practical to keep devices applied all the time. Devices which apply pressure for any length of time can be unsafe. Ointments wear off.

Furthermore, some of the devices are quite expensive. in my view, if you look at the information on them it often takes the form of adverts which offer no real evidence of them working.

I see some devices which some members mention that make claims that have no basis on any theory. Some are obvious scams.

You should also take into account that some of the effects of these measures may be psychological rather than physical. This doesn't mean that they are totally of no value. Distraction is a strategy for dealing with RLS., although psychological distraction may, in some cases be better, i.e. less harmful. Some people distract themselves from RLS sensations by causing themselves pain. This can lead to self harm.

Overall, all these things may be of some value for those who suffer intermittent or mild RLS. For severe RLS the best option remains effective medical treatment.

This means both drug and non drug treatment.

Non drug treatment consists of iron therapy and the identification and avoidance of things which make RLS worse. Both these are recommendations for RLS and could be potentially more helpful than any device or ountment.

I read you're taking oxycodone (targin), pregabalin (lyrica) and pramipexole (sifrol).

This is a combination therapy recommended for "refractory" RLS. It doesn't appear to be working entirely satisfactorily. I guess if it was, you wouldn't be asking about circulation boosters, restiffic etc.

The first thing about this is that the sifrol although a low dose could still be causing more a problems than it's solving.

I think your best option overall is to consult a good RLS expert if you can manage this or afford it.

You may get more information about this from Shumbah, an Australian member. Follow this link and send her a private message

healthunlocked.com/user/Shu...

[Aetje in reply to Elffindoe]

Thank you very much all this is telling me what to do. I stopped Sifrol two month ago and only have the pregabalin and the Targin. For 70% it is working which is a blessing the 30% I have to live with it for the time being will follow up you advice and will contact Shumbah. Thanks

[Joolsg in reply to Aetje]

It can take at least 6-8 months after getting off sifrol for the RLS to settle and the meds to work. However, if it's still problematic after a year, consider changing meds. I spent 5 years on Oxycontin and pregabalin ( same meds you're now on) and my RLS was still 36/40 on the International severity scale.

I recently took Shumbah's advice and pushed for Buprenorphine and it has literally saved my life. Shumbah was also on Oxycontin and pregabalin and still had very, very severe RLS.

It's clear that some meds work brilliantly for most people but there's a small number ( mostly women) who don't respond and they seem to do well on Buprenorphine or methadone.

Let's hope it settles soon.

PS I've wasted hundreds of pounds on restiffic, vibrating massage mats, shiatsu spiky mats & blood stimulating contraptions. None worked. Most made my RLS worse. I'd save your money.

[Aetje in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you I will try to get on Buprenorphine next Doc visit had a very bad night wish the world would stop

[Joolsg in reply to Aetje]

Remember it's still early days. You've only been off Sifrol for 2 months so it takes up to 6 months for withdrawal symptoms to settle. So wait until you change.

[Elffindoe]

One further thing I might suggest to you is that there may be some simple or more complex psychological strategies you can use to help with your RLS.

Saying this sometimes leads to some quite hostile responses which may arise from how people interpret this.

Psychological strategies are not a replacement for medical treatment. If medical treatment is effective, then they're not needed.

But if it's not effective they can help.

Apart from one particular therapy known as CBT-i, no psychological therapy can actually relieve RLS symptoms. However where symptoms aren't being effectively controlled they can make the condition less "bothersome" as one source puts it.

I have been told by at least one imminent RLS expert that they would agree with this.

CBT-i, "i" stands for insomnia has been shown to improve the subjective experience of sleep, even for those with RLS.

Psychological strategies can also be useful in managing the anxiety and depression associated with RLS

Excuse the pun, but it's worth thinking about.

[Aetje]

I live in a retirement village sometimes one of my friends are still up very late I will visit them and talk about anything from kids to ache and pain and yes that does work mind over matter it still might come back some ours later but at leased I have a couple of hours sleep.