Kratom Alternatives

[Jezee]

I've been taking Kratom for around 7 years for my restless legs and it has been brilliant but my body isn't responding as good as it did even after trying different vendors, alternating strains etc. I don't want to go on prescription meds as the side affects are horrible. I'm wondering if there is anything else out there that helps with restless legs. I can't believe that only there is only kratom, there must be something else that works.

[SueJohnson]

Taking magnesium glycinate at night helps many. Then there is marijuana, Delta8, THC or CBD gummies. Then there is infrared light (tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.... and botox injections. Also in 2006, a small study found that a combination of moderate aerobic exercise and lower-body resistance training three days a week reduced symptom severity by about 50 percent. The study found that it took six weeks to see maximum benefit from the exercise program.

And if you want to try a medicine you haven't yet there is dipyridamole. You might want to discuss this with your doctor. It has helped some people on this forum and another forum I am on and has completely eliminated RLS in some. In the winter 2022 edition of Night Walkers, the publication of RLS.org there is an article by Sergi Ferre about dipyridamole discussing the effectiveness of it in a 2 week double blind placebo controlled study showing it completely ameliorated all symptoms. The study was by Dr. Garcia Borreguero movementdisorders.onlinelib... sciencedirect.com/science/a... movementdisorders.onlinelib....

I remember gabapentin had side effects you couldn't live with and suggested you try pregabalin as the side effects that bother one on gabapentin don't bother them on the other. Did you ever try this?

[Jezee in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi Sue thanks for all the info, unfortunatly marijuana, Delta8 and THC is illegal in the UK and I can't seem to get hold of them. I can't remember trying pregblin, I've tried that many.

[SueJohnson in reply to Jezee]

Medical marijuana is legal if you get a prescription from the NHS or a registered private doctor. My understanding is it is easier from a private doctor. Check out healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po... which discusses THC oil used by a person in the UK. You might want to message him to see how he got it. Also for CBD check out healthunlocked.com/search/p... as some people on there are from the UK. My suspicion is you didn't try pregabalin.

[SueJohnson in reply to Jezee]

Joolsg replied to someone else : "You have to use an online private pharmacy. I use Sapphire Clinic. You fill out form, they contact your surgery for medical records. You book a zoom tele appointment, pay £45 & they then send a link to a pharmacy who you pay online. The cannabis is then couriered within a week"

[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,, 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.

[Katyparis in reply to SueJohnson]

Hi Sue could you please forward this post to me as I would like to study it more as it is interesting. thank you so much. Kaye

[SueJohnson]

I see Joolsg just commented on medical marijuana on the post before yours so you might want to go to that post (Pregabalin is the title) and ask her about it.

[Katyparis]

It would be fantastic if there was a more natural approach but in all of my research since 2002 there is no miracle remedy. Because we are dealing with a neurological brain disorder associated in the basal ganglia part of the brain there has been little hope so far as to the experts finding exactly the cause and cure. As symptoms worsen with age so does the need for stronger medications. In the US they have found that dopamine medications are no longer the first line treatment as dopamine drugs are extremely hard to withdraw from as the brain depends on it more and more.Natural remedies are still very useful and its good to keep researching and noting what others are using. Good luck and all the very best.