neuroli oil rub

[Cidernrh]

I rub Neuroli oil on my calves which eases it.

[SueJohnson]

Welcome to the forum. You will find lots of help, support and understanding here.

First off are you sure you have RLS. All of the following must be true for a diagnosis of RLS: 1) The urge to move the legs and sometimes the arms 2) The onset or worsening of symptoms during periods of inactivity when lying down and sometimes when sitting 3) Symptoms occur or worsen in the evening or bedtime. They are usually dormant in the morning 4) Symptoms get better when walking or stretching as long as it is continued. 5) Can't be explained by another medical or behavioral condition.

I ask this because Neuroli oil shouldn't really help it much. It helps pain which one can have with RLS and lowers stress and anxiety. However I will assume you do have RLS.

Since you don't mention that you are taking any medicine for it, I will assume you don't.

Comprehensive answer for new patient p 7

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so what was it? If not this is the first thing that should be done for RLS. When you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including in a multivitamin 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before and fast after midnight. Have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible.

When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your ferritin to be over 100 as improving it to that helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their RLS and you want your transferrin saturation to be between 20 and 45. If your ferritin is less than 100 or your transferrin saturation is not between 20 and 45 post back here and we can give you some advice.

Above all don't let your doctor prescribe a dopamine agonist like ropinirole (requip) or pramipexole (mirapex). They used to be the first line treatment for RLS, but no longer are because of the danger of augmentation.

Instead ask your doctor to prescribe gabapentin or pregabalin. (Pregabalin is more expensive than gabapentin in the US.) Beginning dose is usually 300 mg gabapentin (75 mg pregabalin) [If you are over 65 and susceptible to falls beginning dose is 100 mg (50 mg pregabalin).] It will take 3 weeks before it is fully effective. 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 to 2 hours before bedtime as the peak plasma level is 2 hours. 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 split the doses with pregabalin)

Most of the side effects 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 pregabalin)."

If you take magnesium even in a multivitamin, don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin (it is OK with pregabalin) as it will interfere with the absorption of gabapentin and don't take calcium 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 at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

Meanwhile some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, carbs, foods high in sodium(salt), foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, oestrogen (estrogen) including HRT, 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, fennel, 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, CBD, 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, vibration devices like therapulse, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga. Keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse.

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 would really help us to give you advice if you would indicate on your profile what country you live in and your gender.

[Cidernrh in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue. I’m a female aged 78 from Scotland. I’ve never been to the GP re RSL. I wouldn’t go on any of the medication. I took Temegesic 30 years ago for a back injury at work when I came off it I went into “cold turkey”. This is what they now give to drug addicts to come of the drugs. I can’t take magnesium because of my medication. At the moment having blood tests for kidney and liver because of high blood pressure medication. I’ve found a lot of useful information on your site. Thank you.

[SueJohnson in reply to Cidernrh]

I'm sorry about your experience with temgesic. You should have been slowly weaned off it.

Obviously you choice on not taking any medicines for your RLS especially as you are not really suffering and have found something that works for you. In the future however if it gets worse, don't be afraid of gabapentin or pregabalin because if they have side effects that bother you, you can reduce them slowly with no withdrawal effects.

There are a number of blood pressure medicines that make RLS worse. And there are some that don't. Again at this point you are fine but if in the future if your RLS gets worse I can tell you about the safe ones.

[Cidernrh in reply to SueJohnson]

I was weaned off the Temgesic when I went to the GP. It has been quite bad recently but I have discovered when 3 of my neighbours smoke”wacky baccy” it blows in my bedroom window.

[ChrisColumbus]

Welcome to the forum: I note that Sue has responded with comprehensive info on RLS and treatment so won't repeat any of that.

Your profile hasn't been completed to show which country you are in - which is always helpful, alongside gender and age - but the RLS Foundation in the US has published a piece on the use of essential oils - concluding:

"As usual, the use of alternative interventions does not always have the research to identify evidence, but if you are using essential oils and they are working for you with safe health outcomes, then you should continue what is best for you."

rlsfoundation.blogspot.com/...

Are you referring to Neroli (bitter orange blossom) oil? It may be the act of massaging it in that gives most benefit, but it is said to have some anti-inflammatory properties which "may reduce inflammation and irritation" and "may also have a positive impact on inflammatory responses within organs". Inhaling it "may help the brain release serotonin, and reduce levels of cortisol".

[Cidernrh in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Yes that’s the one. I’ve been using it for over 20 years. I read about it. Seemingly restless legs is known as Willis-Ekbom syndrome. I read it in a Health magazine at my work and it was them that recommended it.

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Cidernrh]

Yes, RLS = Willis-Ekbom. It's good that you've found something that helps with both your RLS and diabetic neuropathy: anything that helps while keeping sufferers off prescription meds is good in my book. Unfortunately many find that only the drugs work, and doubly unfortunately many get put on drugs - e.g. pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine - which help for a time but then make things worse in the long term.

[nocturne]

I'd never heard of neuroli oil, so thanks for sharing. According to this site, it has anti-inflammatory properties, so it's worth a try. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/289...

[Cidernrh in reply to nocturne]

I get it from a site Motherearth. It’s quite dear. I’ve also just stated using a spray “Restless Legs” from Amazon touch wood it seems to be working. I also suffer from Diabetic Neuropathy and it helps that too.

[DicCarlson]

Never heard if it before! From Dr. Axe..."Neroli has been shown to be an effective and therapeutic choice for the management of pain and inflammation. Results of one study in the Journal of Natural Medicines suggest that neroli possesses biologically active constituents that have the ability to reduce acute inflammation and chronic inflammation even more so. It was also found that neroli essential oil has the ability to reduce central and peripheral sensitivity to pain."

draxe.com/essential-oils/ne...

[nocturne]

Thank you! Will check it out. If it's made from bitter orange, it must smell nice, too. : )