I live in an area that has at most 20 days of light. After using a light therapy lamp that delivers up to 10,000 lux for a week the severe RLS symptoms are now very mild. I have also found that I no longer need to take medication at night.
Hopefully the light therapy continues to work for me. I am interested in knowing if others have tried this.
Interesting - I'm afraid that my first reaction was of doubt, but I note that various light therapies have been promoted.
LED light therapy/Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been proposed for RLS. It has certainly been shown to help with wound repair and various skin issues, and is also said to help in the relief of pain and inflammation.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/240...
Apparently it's been used in the treatment of arthritis.
Red light and near infrared light therapy has reportedly seen some positive results for RLS (among many other things), although all the reports I've seen so far come from proponents of the therapy. One has stated: "In a four week study at Brigham Young University, researchers found that exposing the legs to near infrared light gradually decreased RLS symptoms over the course of the study." I've not found the source of this study.
Cool! I'm gonna dig to find out more! I know some people who work at BYU and I know that area of the US was settled mostly by scandinavian immigrants (higher RLS prevalence) so maybe there is more interest there in doing more studies on this. I want to find out exactly what light to buy & how long etc.
I realize the reports seem biased but I will try anything!
I wasn't aware that Scandinavian populations had a higher incidence of RLS? Do you recall where you saw that as i'm interested to read more about it?
I've read it a number of places but here is a presentation that cites prevalence in populations in various cities and the one in Sweden is at 11.4% (in women). Lavigne, Canada is also very high; perhaps because of Scandinavian settlers. My own family emigrated from Sweden & Norway to that part of Canada in the early 1900's. It's hard to tell with US & Canada numbers because we are mostly European immigrants. I'd love to know more about the genetic history of it. Do we all have a common ancestor that threw this mutation down to us?
Thank you SkyCop. We need a genetic genealogical detective onto it!!
Thank you. I have just purchased a daylight lamp and a red light therapy lamp. Definitely worth a try. How long do I need to use it for?
This may be the Brigham Young near-infrared light treatment for RLS study referenced above. It dates from 2011 - the authors say 'more research is needed'.....
Hi Ladyflyer, interesting. The daylight lamp you use is known for its successful treatment of seasonal depression, also known as winter depression. Although it can also present itself as needing a lot if sleep and craving for carbohydrates / sugary foods.
It makes me wonder: do you experience worsened RLS in the winter half of the year? Any in the summer half?
And I wonder if others recognise this and/or experience such a seasonal pattern of RLS? Replies welcome.
Btw. I don't.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Do you apply the light to a particular part of your body, or just use it in the room you're in?
I have a lamp but maybe I'm not using it enough! How many hours/ day are you with it?
Yes, i live in Florida and the days i wirk in the yard all day. I usually dont have to fight for sleep.
I have tried everything and RLS has been really getting unbearable day and night. I have not noticed any difference in seasons. Living where I live in Minnesota, most days are overcast with very little sunlight.
I have only tried the daylight lamp. The one I am using has a LED light and is about 11 x 7 x 3 inches. It was purchased from Amazon.
I use it in the morning and at night for around 30 to 60 minutes at a distance of 25 inches. I use the second intensity on the light.
Have not used a red light.
Hope this helps you.
lucky you
Exercise stops 100% of all symptoms for most people. The harder and longer you exercise the longer the symptoms stay away but of course they come back.
I Ly in bed and imagine I am working out hard has been helpful for me to fall asleep.
I put a glider in front of my rocking chair to stop symptoms while watching TV.
Vigorous exercise makes RLS worse for most. Moderate exercise makes RLS better for most.
Thanks for the info! You said you’ve taken all medications….does that include years on the DA’s ROP or PRAM? Thanks!
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