Electric stimulation machine Therapulse or compression machine effective for RLS ?

[Sarah0008]

Hello,

I am new to this website, and writing on behald of my mother who is 61 and has been suffering with insomnia and RLS for many years. I am not sure if the RLS causes the insomnia or the other way around but they are both extremely difficult to deal with, as many people on this website know. Currently she is on Gabapentin which helps to a degree, so I was thinking to get her to try the leg compression machines/massagers or this Therapule machine that I found via google. Im not sure if its just a marketing gimmick or actually works as it claims to help with RLS. Has anyone had experience with this Therpule machine or similar ? Would anyone recommend a leg compression machine or electrical stimulation machine for the legs ?

I am also thinking of medical marijuana for her if she is desperate enough to try if everything else fails. She lives in Canada so would have to find out what the process is, but any positive or negative experiences with that ?

Many thanks,

[DicCarlson]

You can put "Therapulse" in the search box near the top of the page. there are a few earlier posts referencing it - mostly negative.

[SueJohnson]

How much gabapentin is she taking?

[Sarah0008 in reply to SueJohnson]

Im not sure I will ask her and get back to you, but I do vaguely remember her saying 100mg ? not sure if that is a correct dosage, will check with her.

[SueJohnson in reply to Sarah0008]

OK - do check because if it is 100 mg that is an extremely low dose.

[Guitarpickin]

As DicCarlson said, searching for “therapulse” in this forum will allow you to see the multiple discussions pertaining to this device. It doesn’t sound like it works.

However, there have been recent positive comments about certain leg massagers. I’ve not tried a massaging machine, but many folks will attest to high pressure real leg massage providing some relief. She can even do it to herself if she has the flexibility and hand strength. Or maybe you can massage her legs before bed for a night or two to see if it works for her, before you spend money buying a massager.

THC has also been effective for many in this forum (I am one of those people). It can help both RLS and insomnia. Also, THC and gabapentin work well together.

[CaraCara]

Hi Sarah, I've try to stay away from medication now as they eventually give you side effects or wear out their effectiveness but it comes a time when one needs too. My is neuropathy of the feet (unknown cause) but of all the drug treatments (which mind you have been disappointing) is massaging Vicks jell etc into the feet or legs the night before bed after using 30 minutes on the Tens machine. But over time I've realized that the most underlining treatment to help any nerve issue is the importance of good quality sleep. I sometimes take 2mg of valium to ensure a good night sleep. All I know if I sleep poorly, the next day is going to be horrible. So, try working on the sleep issue and a small amount of any nerve relaxant drug - small means what the doctor gives you then break it in half. Until medical science finds better treatments, we have no choice but do our own research. All the best.

[Nightwalker6]

I take CBD/THC oil regularly alongside Prodeine. It helps a lot, but it’s so expensive.