Natural or Herbal Relief?

[DandelionBlossom]

Has anyone managed to control their RLS through herbal (preferably organic) treatment?

If so, what did you take and how much?

[SueJohnson]

I haven't but have you had your ferritin tested? Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. When you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including multivitamins that have iron in them 48 hours before the test, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning. 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% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you advice. 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.

[ChrisColumbus]

I can see that you've read Daragh's 4 year old post about iron, and Sue has given you the latest detail on this. Iron is important for many RLS sufferers and it's certainly worth being tested as Sue outlines and supplementing if low.

I had RLS of various intensities for decades on and off, as did my mother and at least two of my siblings. However, iron was neither my problem nor the solution.

I was introduced to magnesium for RLS by a relative, and it's widely recommended by Holland & Barrett in the UK (unsure where you are). You need a readily bioavailable salt, which in my case is magnesium citrate.

I initially took 3 x 200mg tablets spread throughout the day, then cut back to 2 x 200mg and am currently on just one tablet. Ignore packaging (e.g. on some US packs) which suggests 1 x 100mg a day.

Magnesium supplements can lead to diarrhoea so be careful. I find it OK as long as I don't take 2 x 200mg at the same time. Magnesium glycinate apparently doesn't cause diarrhoea and can aid sleep: I don't know what dosage you'd need of this.

Beyond this, I found that I had various triggers for RLS that would give me problems regardless of magnesium: these included too much sugary food/drink; diet foods and drinks containing artificial sweeteners; too much caffeine; certain medications for other things, particularly statins; too little exercise; too much exercise.... Sue lists a lot of the common problems in her Reply.

I have never taken meds for RLS, have been largely free of symptoms for the last 2 years, and totally free recently. Drugs for RLS should in my view be a last resort: many on here have found drugs that partially or totally cure their symptoms, but in some cases only after years of trial and error.

[BoldMove in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Take some calcium along with the magnesium. That will help you up your magnesium dose.

[BoldMove]

L-Theanine helped for a while. I had to keep upping the dose till it no longer worked for me. Order capsules, start low and see how you respond. It calms the brain. If I remember correctly, it was taken in the morning, but you'll find these recommendations online.

[Simkin]

I went to an "alternative "but fully qualified GP and he said I should take magnesium citrate but double the dose from the recommended amount.For at least 6 months I had NO RLS. Simply bliss. But then my legs broke through again.

BUT it was worth taking for 6 months peace.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Simkin]

I found that RLS symptoms overwhelmed my magnesium regime (even at 3x200mg/day) i) when I was on statins and ii) if I drank diet drinks. When I stopped both of the above but stayed on magnesium my symptoms disappeared again; now continuing on a 1x200mg dose of Mg just for maintenance. Perhaps I'm just lucky in this

[Simkin in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I am not on statins, nor am I on diet drinks.I do take magnesium as maintenance.

Hey ho!

[rmbroadh]

I took 200mg of magnesium glycinate and 28mg of gentle iron ( taking the iron for a few years) before bed and rls went through the roof. Stopped the magnesium and things calmed down. Very disappointed.

[Joe2528]

I've been dealing with Rls for over 20 years and kratom works wonderful but to be honest I stopped using it about a year ago because I became dependent on it. But theres nothing to take that a doctors going to perscribe you that's going to help that you won't become dependent on so I guess you have to pick your poison. The red strains worked the best for me. Either red vein borneo or mang da. I have severe RLS and this stuff really does work. No a days I smoke a little indica at night and it does help but not as much of the kratom. I'm sure there are those who will judge but it's a lot better and has fewer side effects than all the poison the doctors are prescribing. I refuse to take any medication for rls now and that's because I've tried them all. they work for a few weeks maybe months if your lucky than you have to take more. than your symptoms start coming on sooner and more severe than you have to take them just to feel normal.

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