Compression stockings / socks

[Sweepingsky]

Has anyone tried compression stockings to help RLS? Did you wear them only at night or day? Thanks

[SueJohnson]

I tried them but only at night since that was when I had RLS. They didn't work for me, but they do work for some people and are worth trying.

[SueJohnson]

Are you taking any medicine for your RLS? Have you had your ferritin checked? Improving it to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS.

[Sweepingsky in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks for your response Sue. No, I haven't had my ferritin checked. I'll look into that. Thanks for the tip.

[SueJohnson in reply to Sweepingsky]

When you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements 48 hours before the test, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning when your ferritin is lowest. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45%. When you get your results, if your ferritin is not over 100, post them here and we can give you advice. Are you taking any medicine for your RLS?

[Sweepingsky in reply to SueJohnson]

No medicine. Just magnesium supplements. Walking relives the problem, especially when I'm wearing my massage sandals, but it's getting worse gradually and disrupts my sleep most nights.

[SueJohnson in reply to Sweepingsky]

It may be time for you to take medicine which can completely control your symptoms. 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 ask your doctor to prescribe gabapentin or pregabalin. Beginning dose is usually 300 mg gabapentin (75 mg pregabalin). It will take 3 weeks before it is fully effective. After that increase it by 100 mg (25 mg pregabalin) every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1 to 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. (You don't need to split the doses with pregabalin) Most of the side effects of gabapentin and pregabalin 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 (200 to 300 mg pregabalin) daily." Since you take magnesium 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 at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

[Sweepingsky in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you so much for that detailed information. You seem to be a font of knowledge on the subject! I want to avoid any medication for as long as possible. My symptoms are not bad enough, just an annoyance. But it's good to have advice to hand for the future. I expect there will be more research into the subject over time too.

[SueJohnson in reply to Sweepingsky]

Understood. Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, estrogen, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise. Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, using a standing desk, listening to music and yoga.

[Sweepingsky in reply to SueJohnson]

PS I took folic acid supplements for a couple of years. I've taken a break from those for a few months now and it doesn't seem to make any difference.

[Nightwalker6]

I used compression stockings from time to time. They do help. I also use a leg compression sleeve massager which is much more pleasant to use, but expensive. It worked well for me.

[Allyp69]

I wear compession knee socks most days in winter for lymphodema after radiotherapy but they do not help my restless legs, sadly. Still trying Therapulse on each leg every evening and after 9 days it's still working. I don't take any meds for RLS but gentle iron tablets every 2 days.

[Simkin in reply to Allyp69]

Delighted about therapulse.

[Sweepingsky in reply to Allyp69]

Interesting about the Therapulse. It gets fantastic reviews on Trustpilot. I shall look into it more.

[Simkin]

40 Years ago St George's Hospital in London were doing research on RLS and they then thought the problem was circulation so I had to wear compression stockings nightly, to no effect.

Since then they discovered RLS was neurological so the stockings would not help.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Simkin]

There can be a circulatory element to what is broadly called RLS, which I believe is in effect either a cluster of syndromes with very similar symptoms but numerous different causes/triggers, or just still rather poorly understood.

In my case, sleeping on my back tends to exacerbate RLS. On my side is better, but best is on my front with the right leg straight and the left bent at the knee. In extremis, I have to raise my legs almost vertically against a wall.

This is all when something - such as diet or medication - has overwhelmed my Magnesium regime and triggered RLS. My serum ferritin has only once registered under 200 (and then it was 183) and oral iron has never helped.

[BeachGolfer]

I have used compression socks when restlessness in legs is really bad. However, I find them most effective when I bunch up the sock across the bottom of my foot which causes increased pressure. . It seems to hit some pressure point that relieves the restlessness. I’m careful not to fall asleep with them on like this because it can cut off circulation if kept on too long.

[restlessstoz]

Hi, I find that if I have a very mild 'feeling' in my lower legs then compression does help. It seems to neuralise the very mild fizzing or sensation. It doesn't help if I have a full blown attack though.

Instead of stockings I buy the tubular bandage in the right size (it comes for wrists, ankles, thighs etc so make sure you buy the right size for you.) I cut it to the length for my lower leg and it really does help me. I get four lengths out of one bandage - 1 metre (In Australia anyway, I don't know what you will find where you are)

The only way you're going to know is to try it yourself. RLS is a peculiar beast and what works for one won't work for another.

This is the product I buy. It lasts up to a year or more before getting to old and I buy another one so it seems to be a reasonably cost effective way to manage it

Image of Elastic Tubular Support Bandage

[Sweepingsky in reply to restlessstoz]

Thanks for the suggestion

[AmyMac5]

I also found a tubular support bandage helped when my RLS was fairly well controlled by co-codamol. I didn't put it on going to bed but at the first sign of the sensations, on it went and that would somethimes be enough to let me get back to sleep without taking more medication.

For many years I had horrible zapping, crawling, must move sensations all over within ten minutes of going to bed. Taking two co-codamol at night was a lifesaver for me as it stopped the body and arm sensations but I'd still wake up about 3.00 to 4.00am and have to take another two (30/500) because my legs had fired up again, which was hit and miss as to whether it worked.

About two years ago, took it up with the GP again - when I look back now I don't know whether to laugh or cry - but I went through trials of various meds as they thought the problem was more about lack of sleep. So, slow release melatonin, phenergan (prescription sedating antihistamine), amitriptyline (refused outright because of previous experience), a patch that I can't even remember what it was, and finally pramipexole. After one horrible night on prami I found this site, took the advice on here to bin it, got my bloods done and started myself on gentle iron. Two months later, the waking up at 3am began to reduce and continued to improve. Ferritin was 55 when I started on iron and a few weeks ago was up to 115. I still wake up several times a night but not from RLS, being in my 70s it's bathroom calling. I recently switched to 30mg codeine tablets rather than co-codamol and have found that it's just as effective, so I'm happy not to be taking doses of paracetamol I don't need.

Apologies for getting so long winded in reply to a simple question from the OP but maybe this will give some hope to those who, like me, chance upon this site. Thanks to all who contribute to providing the support and creating the resource that is here for everyone.

[Sweepingsky]

Thank you for sharing all that. Very helpful

[Floozle]

hi mI wear flight socks at night, just that little bit of pressure helps me. I also rub a ginger containing massage oil into my calves - it's warming. I always have a hot water bottle on my legs in bed. My rls is mild at the moment

[Sweepingsky in reply to Floozle]

Glad you are managing to keep it under control. Thanks for sharing your tips