New FDA approved drug free RLS treatment

[RalphWiggam]

As you may know, Noctrix Health came out with a device(s) that is worn around the leg just below the knee to stimulate the perineal nerves of the legs By doing so the treatment can relieve symptoms of moderate to severe RLS. This is a FDA approved drug free treatment and the first of its kind.

I have been fortunate enough to be one of the very first patients( post FDA approval) to give the Nidra TOMAC a try. I'm sharing this because while it's not a perfect solution it is a very promising technology.

In short when my RLS symptoms start to stir I put on the Nidra bands and let the device work on the nerve, which in turn does indeed stop the symptoms in their tracks. At least that has been my experience since mid December. And over time I've noticed one or two sessions (30 mins each) will keep the RLS beast away the rest of the night.

The devices need titrated/calibrated to fit each persons needs. They can be cumbersome to wear if you choose to just try and sleep with them on the legs all night. I have other thoughts about how they can improve with the next version but the concept has to my delight worked for me so far.

Full disclosure - I have RLS and RAS (arms) and it doesn't do anything for the arms of course. But if you just have leg issues this may be a drug free opportunity for relief.

It won't work for everyone I'm sure. But this gives us RLS suffers hope if you ask me.

It's not cheap $7500 if insurance doesn't cover it. My insurance did indeed cover a good amount of it. And personally, they are too expensive for what the devices are made of. But it sure has helped me reduce my meds. I think it's overly optimistic to think severe patients can get totally drug free especially if you have it in your arms like I do (cutting my meds in half is a victory) Moderate patients I believe have the greatest opportunity for being able to be drug free.

Again, this won't work for everyone. It's a bit clumsy to use but it's amazing because it's not a drug solution.

For more info go to the Noctrix Health site.

All the best.

[ChrisColumbus]

I presume still only available on (the very expensive) prescription in a small handful (3 last I heard) of US states?

[grassgree in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I signed up at Notrix Health and got a letter recently saying that they are building up inventory so as to make the device more widely available. I haven't followed up yet, but if you write to them they'll keep you updated on finding a doctor near you. The best part is that the developers have reason to hope that long term use is beneficial and that baseline symptoms were milder even after quitting the device.

[RalphWiggam in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Yes, at the moment they only have licenses in a few states, but they are expanding quickly so I'm told.

[Elisse3]

Sounds like the therapulse that i use. I bought mine which cost £44 for one , two is needed for both legs which i have now.

[50568789]

Therapulse works for me, in what sounds a very similar way, and at £40 per device it's an obvious choice to at least try before investing thousands in some other device.

[Merny5]

That is really great news Ralph. Currently, a rep from Noctrix Health is working with my insurance company for coverage. So I’m just waiting…since October. I have a few questions if you don’t mind answering. What medication do you currently take for your symptoms? How much medication were you able to reduce? What state do you live in? Who is your insurance provider?Thank you. I’m anxiously awaiting for the outcome the company.

[RalphWiggam]

I use Belbuca to control my symptoms and some Pregabalin. I was able to reduce them by 50% but as I referenced, my RAS (arms) are now a problem. So, I am experimenting with moving the time of day around when I take the remaining meds to see if that helps.

I also tried one unit on my arm (there is a similar main nerve around the funny bone area of your arm). It helped a little but the band is made for your leg so I couldn't get it very tight around the arm like I can the leg. Thus contact with the skin in that area was not very good and probably made my experiment less than successful.

Aetna is my insurance provider currently.

[Ebi1909]

Hi RalphWiggam ,

thanks for the insights! Would you say, that your sleep quality has improved significantly?

[RalphWiggam]

Because the Notrix bands are a non-drug type of treatment there can be some disruption to sleep if say you have to put the bands on in the middle of the night for a session of treatment. Fortunately, for me my symptoms have tended to come out just as I lay down to fall asleep. This allows me to do a treatment session with the bands (30mins) and then I've been good the rest of the night thus my sleep is not disrupted.

The point of the Noctrix Nidra bands is to reduce and/or replace medication. This could mean some disruption of sleep for treatment depending upon how often you have symptoms and the time of the evening they occur. As I mentioned in my original post they can be cumbersome but the trade off is less meds which I think is beneficial. It's going to be a personal preference of course. And in my opinion, the sweet spot for these devices is more for those with moderate RLS. Just my opinion.

It's taken some time to adjust to using the devices but I certainly like that I can reduce my meds somewhat. I think these guys are onto something and I hope it will help others.