help for RLS

[Burnison]

do u have any suggestions for a natural way to stop RLS? I have tried Pramipexole, and it caused weight gain. I was hoping for a natural solution. Thank you.

I had my iron checked and it was normal..

[SueJohnson]

Welcome to the forum. You say your iron was checked and it was normal. Was that your ferritin? Did you have your test in the morning, fasting after midnight and no iron taken 48 hours before? If it was ferritin, do you know what it was? Doctors will say it is normal, but what is normal for others is not normal for those of us with RLS.

[SueJohnson]

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, MSG, collagen supplements, 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, meditation and yoga.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute.

[SueJohnson]

If natural solutions don't work, you might want to try gabapentin/pregabalin. This is now the first line treatment for RLS. 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 as yours obviously isn't or s/he would never have prescribed a dopamine agonist at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

[ChrisColumbus]

As Sue says, iron is a core factor, and you cannot just trust doctors who say it is 'normal'. If your iron really is at a suitable level for RLS sufferers serum ferritin levels after a fasting full iron panel will be 100+. Doctors will say that 30 is 'normal' - which it can be if you don't suffer from RLS.

Iron was never my problem, and I found supplementation with magnesium a great help: I take 2-3 200mg tablets of Magnesium Citrate during the day - don't take them too close together as this can cause diarrhoea.

However, if you were on Pramipexole for long you may find that you need to try Gabapentin/ Pregabalin

[wildlegs]

I’ve been taking tramadol and pramipexole for six months now for my RLS and it’s been working great. I hope it continues but time will tell.

[Graham3196]

I have had considerable relief by modifying my diet, Let me know if your interested,