RLS IN FEET

[Nuthatch01]

Good morning all, has anyone tried Better you Magnesium skin ? I understand that it is supposed to help with Restless leg syndrome, mine is always in my feet, I am ok during the day but wow at night its unbearable , any advice is greatly appreciated 🙂👍👍

[Madlegs1]

What medications are you on? And for how long and what dose?

Thank you.

[Nuthatch01 in reply to Madlegs1]

Hi Madlegs1, I am not on any medication for RLS, I have just been persevering with it ,keeping my bedroom cool and using cold water to spray my feet (seems to help)

[Madlegs1 in reply to Nuthatch01]

Grand. That gives you a good start.

Check almost any of Sue Johnson's replies to similar queries.

Iron test, triggers etc.

It could be something very simple.

Magnesium does help a lot of people.

You can make your own spray from water and Epsom salts in equal parts.

Good luck.

[trishiapp28]

I use it occasionally to good effect . The only problem with it is that it dried out my feet really badly and feels unpleasantly tacky/ wet in bed.

[SueJohnson in reply to trishiapp28]

I know a year ago you said that magnesium completely controlled your symptoms. Is that still the case?

[trishiapp28 in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi Sue. Yes, magnesium is very effective at managing my RLS. I feel very lucky and count my blessings, as I remember the torture I experienced before I discovered it.

[SueJohnson in reply to trishiapp28]

Great !

[SueJohnson]

I'll save you trying to find my replies 😀: When you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements 48 hours before the test and fast after midnight. Have your test in the morning as that is when your ferritin is lowest. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation numbers. You want your ferritin to be over 100. Improving it to that helps 60% of RLS patients. If your ferritin is less than 75 then take 325 mg of ferrous sulfate with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption. Take it every other day at least 1 hour before a meal or coffee and at least 2 hours after a meal or coffee since iron is absorbed better on an empty stomach and preferably at night If you have problems with constipation switch to iron bisglycinate. If your ferritin is between 75 and 100 or if your transferrin saturation is below 20, you probably need an iron infusion since iron isn't absorbed as well above 75. If you take magnesium take it at least 2 hours apart since it interferes with the absorption of iron. Don't take tumeric as it interferes with the absorption of iron. It takes several months for the iron tablets or iron infusion to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 8 weeks if you have an iron infusion or after 3 months if you are taking iron tablets. Above all don't let your doctor prescribe a dopamine agonist like ropinirole (requip) or pramipexole (mirapex). They used to be the first line treatment for RLS, but no longer are because of the danger of augmentation. Instead have him prescribe gabapentin. Beginning dose is usually 300 mg gabapentin or 100 mg if you are over the age of 65. It will take 3 weeks to be fully effective. After that increase it by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1-2 hours before bedtime. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. Most of the side effects of gabapentin will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily." If you take magnesium by mouth don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of the gabapentin. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know including about its treatment and refer your doctor to it if needed as many doctors do not know much about RLS or are not uptodate on it atHttps://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a... Are you taking any other medicines (not for RLS) or over the counter supplements? Do you drink coffee, alcohol or smoke?

[Nuthatch01 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue, it's a lot to take in, I am on several medications - Clopidogrel, Simvastatin, Carbocistine, Ventolin, Sertraline, Titropium and Tamsulosin.I rattle when I walk 🤣🤣

[SueJohnson in reply to Nuthatch01]

Clopidogrel is a blood thinner and can exacerbate RLS symptoms. One that is safe for RLS is Dipyridamole has been shown to improve RLS symptoms. Simvastatin is a statin and unfortunately all of them can exacerbate RLS symptoms. Sertraline is an anti depressant and can exacerbate RLS symptoms in some. A safe antidepressant for RLS is Wellbutrin if you don't live in the UK where it is unavailable or trazodone if you do. One article reported on a people whose RLS symptoms actually improved on trazodone.