Heat pads

[sigurdur]

After getting rid of pramipexole using kratom, I continued on kratom as it turned out to be quite effective keeping the jittering down. I don't know if it is the cold weather or tolerance to kratom, but RLS is rearing it's ugly head again. The symptoms are disruptive but nothing like the horror I experienced when tapering off pramipexole. Last night I tried heat pads. I live in Spain, so I don't have access to the variety of heat pads available in the U and S of the A. These were the only ones I could find amazon.com/JOBYNA-Coverage-... I only used one, because my RLS is only active in one foot at a time. I tried it and moved the pad to the other foot when I felt it was starting there. Surprisingly this really worked for me. Would be interesting to know if anyone else from my RLS family has had success with these pads.

Best

Siggi

[Joolsg]

Try switching strains of kratom. Tolerance is the main issue with kratom so not necessarily a good long term solution. Also ensure your iron levels are good. Ask for full panel, morning, fasting bloods.

Can you see Dr Garcia Borreguerro?Dr. Diego García-Borreguero Díaz-Varela

[phone]

g.co/kgs/nG2h7i

He is a top RLS expert.

[sigurdur in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you. It did not even occur to me look for a specialist here. I just didn't think there was one.

[LotteM]

Joolsg is right about the kratom. And of course about dr Garcia-Borreguero. However, if you get away by using the heat pads, do so. Kratom has opioid-like action, thus also carries the opioid-use risk. Don't know about the risk likelihoods. And in general amounts of both kratom and opioids to control RLS are low, so no comparison to pain treatment or recreational use, but still. No medicines is imho always better than any medicine, including things like vitamins, kratom, cannabis and other 'natural' stuff. Btw many pharmaceutical medicines are natural or nature-based as well.

[sigurdur in reply to LotteM]

Yes it is better to be without. I didn't really think kratom was going to be a long term solution, it however saved my life while tapering off the pramipexole poison.

[LotteM in reply to sigurdur]

Understandable. I also used kratom several times in transition periods between other medicines. I still occasionally use (mainly white) kratom if I need (extra) energy to get through a day. Works well.

[sigurdur in reply to LotteM]

It is an amazing plant. But I am becoming more attracted to Kava.

[TeddiJ in reply to sigurdur]

Saved me, too!

[Birdland]

I can’t tolerate my feet being warm. Don’t even use a blanket on my calves and feet. I find using a heating pad on my torso while keeping my feet cool is best for me. Funny how we all react differently.

[sigurdur in reply to Birdland]

I can't tolerate my toes being warm or wrapped up. I get this suffocating feeling. But this pad I bought does not cover my toes.

[Cazzywatts]

I find that using a hot water bottle can help

[Wanted-sleep]

I fold a heat blanket at the foot of the bed.

I have it so the height of my feat are above my heart. Works.

[sigurdur in reply to Wanted-sleep]

Interesting. What is the idea of keeping your feet up?

[Wanted-sleep in reply to sigurdur]

Raised legs for better circulation.

[Weezie99]

Yes, heating pads helped me for years before I found a doctor willing to tell the powers that be to shove it, that his patient's quality of life was more important than their over hyped paranoia surrounding opioid addiction. I don't get automatic refills. I have to go see him every 30 days, and I'm subject to random urinalysis to make sure I'm not abusing it or any other substance. Labs get done every six months to check kidney and liver functions. It's a process, but sooooo worth the time and effort once a month.

[sigurdur in reply to Weezie99]

I am sorry to hear. It seems doctors are not very helpful in dealing with RLS.

[atwitsendd]

Good morning. I have heard others talk about heat pads. I haven't tried them yet, but I will give them a try. I will try anything to lessen the effects of this horrible disease. Thank you.

[Elisse3]

I used to find using a heat pad in the winter helped by putting it at the base of my back don’t know why but it would stop the RLS. Couldn’t use in the summer as i need to be cool. Trouble is the heat pad trick now doesn’t work any more but was good when it did.

[wildlegs]

Hi, I'm writing this from Wisconsin in the USA. I was taking Tramadol 300 Mg for 4 or 5 years

but on moving from Florida to Wisconsin I was unable to get more than 100 mg of tramadol

so they introduced me to Pramipexole ( 2 mg ) . So far Iv'e been taking the combo of 100 mg of Tramadol and 2 mg of pramipexole and it's working 90% of the time. I've been doing this for a little over a year and so far okay. I've heard that other people have had problems with pramipexole but so far so good for me.

[sigurdur in reply to wildlegs]

Different strokes for different folks.

[AmazedAnt]

hot bath and heating pad wrapped around my thighs (hamstrings are where I have most issues), have helped me more than any other physical interventions. I wear thick sweatpants and the pad has a timer to help avoid accidentally burning myself.

Interesting to see how different people respond to the heat / cold... My ancestors are from the warmer climates, and I'm getting a bit older - so perhaps that explains some of my preference for the heat 😁