Has anyone suffering from RLS tried the Electrapy Massager? I ask simply because I've seen a recent promotion of this device, which seems to address a similar problem, i.e. a neuropathy giving rise to tingling in the feet. I've no intention of paying out for one unless strongly advised by some one more xperiences than myself.
Anthony Bainbridge
I've not seen mention of this brand by name, but there have been several threads about people's experience with various massage and vibration systems: just search the forum Posts using the keyword massage.
Here's one fairly recent thread:
healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...
Someone with experience of Electrapy may of course reply.
As mentioned by Chris Columbus some people are helped by using a massage gun.
Tell us a little about yourself so we can give you some advice to help with your RLS.
Are you taking any medicines for your RLS? Or have you in the past and what was your experience with them?
Have you had your ferritin checked? Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not 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.
By the way it would really help us to give you advice if you would indicate on your profile what country you live in and your gender.
I've had RLS for about 5 years (I'm 80) and started on Pramipexole 0.088 one a day, but I increased this to 2 a year or so ago. I sense that my symptoms are slowly getting worse, although nowhere near as bad as some contributors to this valuable site. I've an appointment with my GP coming up in a week; this will be the first detailed review of my situation, and a chance to put over some of the points made by your correspondents. I suspect that Pram is the first and only proposition our local practice know about (although in all other regards they're a fine group.) As for iron, I've no idea where I stand, but I and my wife certainly have a good balanced diet overall.
If your RLS symptoms got worse after your knee operation that is most likely the cause and should settle back down. If not then you are suffering from augmentation. The signs of augmentation are when you have to keep increasing your dose to get relief, or when your symptoms occur earlier in the day or there is a shorter period of rest or inactivity before symptoms start or when they move to other parts of your body (arms, trunk or face) or when the intensity of your symptoms worsen. If that is the case then you will need to come off it. Let me know and I can provide some advice for that.
Unfortunately most doctors are not up to date on RLS especially in the UK. 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 as yours obviously isn't up to date or s/he would never have prescribed a dopamine agonist at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...
I do encourage you to get your ferritin checked. A balanced diet often isn't enough for those of us with RLS.
If you are suffering from augmentation here is my advice: Pramipexole is no longer the first-line treatment for RLS, gabapentin or pregabalin is. It used to be the first-line treatment which is why so many doctors prescribed it but they are not uptodate on the current treatment recommendations. To come off Pramipexole, reduce by .088 mg every 2 weeks or so. You will have increased symptoms. You may need to reduce more slowly or with a smaller amount. Wait until the increased symptoms from each reduction has settled before going to the next one. You will suffer and may need a low dose opioid temporarily to help out with the symptoms especially as you near the end. But in the long run, you will be glad you came off it. On the gabapentin or pregabalin, beginning dose is usually 300 mg gabapentin (75 mg pregabalin). Start it 3 weeks before you are off pramipexole although it won't be fully effective until you are off it for several weeks. After that increase it by 100 mg (25 mg pregabalin) every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1-2 hours before bedtime. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. (You don't need to divide the doses on pregabalin) Most of the side effects of gabapentin or pregabalin will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin (200 to 300 mg of pregabalin) daily." If you take magnesium take it at least 3 hours before or after taking gabapentin (it is OK with pregabalin) as it will interfere with the absorption of gabapentin and if you take calcium don't take it within 2 hours for the same reason (not sure about pregabalin). 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...
I should have added that we live in Wiltshire, England and both my wife and I enjoy pretty good health for our ages (80 and 78). I've just had a total right knee replacement which has gone well. I take Amlodipine to keep my BP under control, plus a thinner following a TIA 7 years ago.
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker which can make RLS worse for some but not all. There are blood pressure medicine which are safe for RLS. What is the blood thinner you are on?
Clopidogrel
Unfortunately that makes RLS worse for some. A safe one is dipyridamole. You might want to discuss this with your doctor. A benefit is that it has been used for RLS. 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...
Meanwhile 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 as I mentioned, 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.
My only other daily medication are 2 meds to address benign prostate hypertrophy, tamulosin and dutastetide. Now under control - PSA tests OK.
First Neurology Appt.
Tramadol augmentation, what next?
RLS & Tens Unit
TV Documentary
