what non-medications can I use at night to try to stop the RLS

What non-medications can I use when I have RLS at night. I have RLS only in my left ankle/foot and have peripheral neuropathy in my legs and feet. I do the following when I get the RLS: walk, massage my feet, put Topricin on my feet/ankle, put body lotion on my feet/ankle.

[ChrisColumbus]

Have you had a full fasting iron panel: a full iron assessment should include serum iron, ferritin, total iron-binding capacity, and percentage transferrin saturation and should be measured in the early morning after an overnight fast. Insist that you are given the actual figures rather than a "you're in the normal range". What can be normal for the general population can be too low for an RLS sufferer. On the basis of a consensus of RLS experts, it is recommended that all RLS patients with serum ferritin concentration of 75 μg/L or less and transferrin saturation below 45% should receive a trial of oral iron therapy.

Beyond this: iron wasn't my problem, and I found that magnesium sorted my RLS. But then various prescription and over the counter medications can trigger/exacerbate RLS. And some find that diet - too much sugar and sugary foods, caffeine (although some find that caffeine helps), in my case artificial sweeteners in diet food and drinks, can be RLS risks.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Look for further information in Replies and Posts from e.g. Joolsg , SueJohnson and Madlegs1 . But also read the helpful info on the RLS UK website such as:

rls-uk.org/non-medical-trea...

rls-uk.org/medical-treatments

(This 2nd link also contains info on meds to avoid)

[ChrisColumbus in reply to ChrisColumbus]

It would also be helpful if you completed your Profile to show which country you are in, as this can be important in determining what advice may be appropriate

[Hidden in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I had an iron panel and was deficient in all 3. Am taking ferrous sulfate and will have the iron checked again in 3 months. What I am really looking for is what I can try when I have the RLS at night. I will complete my profile. Thanks for reminding me.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hidden]

Take your iron tables with 100 mg of vitamin C or some orange juice since that helps its absorption. Take it every other day preferably at night at least 1 hour before a meal or coffee or tea and at least 2 hours after a meal or coffee or tea since iron is absorbed better on an empty stomach and the tannins in coffee and tea limit absorption. If you take magnesium, calcium or zinc take them at least 2 hours apart since they interfere with the absorption of iron. Don't take tumeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron or at least take it in the morning if you take your iron at night. Also antacids interfere with the absorption so should be taken at least 4 hours before the iron or at least 2 hours after.

[Hidden in reply to SueJohnson]

I probably forgot to mention that I have leukemia which is in remission. I take chemo drugs and can’t take vitamin C or B vitamins I usually take the iron with vegetable juice as I think it has vitamin C in it. Why do I take it every other day? Otherwise purely by chance I am good with when I take the iron. How did you get so knowledgeable?

[SueJohnson in reply to Hidden]

You can take it every day but it would need to be taken at the same time as it needs to be taken at least 24 hours apart. That is why the usual advice is every other day.

I went through what many others did. I augmented on ropinirole and was then put on gabapentin and my symptoms are now completely controlled. I am retired and decided to learn everything I could about RLS and pay it forward by helping others. Most of my advice comes from the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS and the rest from my research and my own experience.

[Hidden in reply to SueJohnson]

thanks for doing that research. I believe you have helped many people, including me. I will take the iron every other day then.

As I said before, I started taking buspar for the withdrawal symptoms from Ropinerole and as always when I take a new med, I get side effects. This time it is a headache and dizziness and just generally not feeling good. But it did take away the anxiety symptoms which a doctor I saw said was causing the rest of the symptoms, so I will tough it out. Yesterday I tried taking half what I was supposed to take and this morning the anxiety came back so I took the rest of the dose. It is supposed to take 2 weeks for the anxiety to completely go away. I have such a struggle with medications.

Last night I slept with a heated bag type thing on my feet/ankles and I got more sleep than I have had since the RLS came back.

I did get the name of a RLS doctor from a woman who was in charge of a support group which has since disbanded. His name is Matthias Lee. He is a sleep doctor with Virginia Mason Hospital and Seattle Medical Center. I haven’t gone to him yet, but he doesn’t rely on medications in his practice which I like because of my issues with side effects. I will let you know what I think about him. I am going to call to make an appointment tomorrow.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hidden]

That's great that the heated bag worked. Yes do let me know about the doctor and how it works out for you.

[SueJohnson]

The most important thing you can do is have your ferritin checked if you haven't. Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If you haven't 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 some advice.

[SueJohnson]

What are you taking for your peripheral neuropathy? The same medicine that is now the first line treatment for RLS also treats peripheral neuropathy.

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 as you have discovered 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.

By the way it will help in getting advice on this forum if you would indicate on your profile the country you live in and your gender.

Have you ever taken any medication for your RLS? If so what was your experience with it?

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 atHttps://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

[Hidden in reply to SueJohnson]

thank you. I was Quinlan 12 before and you were very helpful. I took Tramadol before and am taking it again, but it isn’t helping either the RLS or neuropathy. Probably could try a higher dose, but I will be lucky if my new doctor will refill the prescription. The reason I stopped taking it is that the another doctor would not refill the prescription and didn’t tell me so that I went off it cold turkey. As far as the Ropinerole which we discussed before. I am taking Buspar for the withdrawal side effects and it is helping.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hidden]

You are just trying to confuse us aren't you? 😀

Gabapentin helps both neuropathy and RLS. Have you tried that? If not I can give you some advice on how to take it.

Reading your other post it sounds like you need another doctor who is more up to speed on RLS. Where do you live? I know you live in the US but what city and state? I may be able to recommend someone.

[Hidden in reply to SueJohnson]

I tried gabapentin and it quickly turned me into a zombie. I live in Mukilteo Washington, north of Seattle.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hidden]

Dr. Oneil Bains [phone] in Seattle is on the list of recommended doctors that treat RLS by the RLS Foundation. However although the doctors have been submitted to this list by someone who used them and found them knowledgeable. They still might prescribe dopamine agonists which you don't want and/or they might not prescribe opioids. The reason is that the person that submitted the name might have been happy with a dopamine agonist and without an opioid. The best way to find out if they are knowledgeable and uptodate is to ask if they have read the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS. I also gave his name to givingITmybest so you might want to message her to see if she saw him and her opinion.

[Madlegs1]

Non medical aids to help with RLS include

Distraction of any kind- listening to radio, watch exciting TV etc. Puzzles like crosswords and sudoku help me keep my mind off it.

Massagers and various leg cuffs/ stimulators - Restiffic etc are also good.

Stretches of glutes and calves help me.

Pounding the walls with my first helps briefly, but not much help long term. And hurts like Hell 🤕

Let me know if you come up with any new tortures??

One classic case in a UK TV documentary was a poor sufferer who used to smash a door on his feet. Ouch!

I'm sure others will have more exquisite refinements to put forward.

Good luck.

Oh - forgot to mention sex. 😆

[MacD1968]

Hi,Non medications? I'm in the UK - Scotland. Over the years I would push myself to go into the shower and spray freezing cold water on the back of my legs and ankles. It worked but not always easy to do.

I now put two small size compression socks onto cover my calves. This sometimes works but if not I put a small ice pack between both socks over my calves and 9 times out of 10 it settles down and I can relax.

Hope this helps.

Take care

[Wanted-sleep]

Compression sleeve may assist.

I have a pair tucked away near for convenience.

Diarize like and dislikes for supporting RLS is a convenience for sufferers.

pamper, pamper , pamper … repeat

[wantokporo]

Sitting for a bit in the hottest tub you can stand often works.

[PWMoo]

I trust you are avoiding caffeine? It's a significant RLS trigger for many.