What has helped me.....: I have had RLS... - Restless Legs Syn...

Restless Legs Syndrome

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What has helped me.....

Dedrian profile image
20 Replies

I have had RLS for more years than I can count. I'm now in my 70's. I have had some very welcome success in the last few months in minimizing my symptoms. I feel compelled to share some of what has worked for me, with the hope that this info might to some degree lessen someone's else's suffering. It has taken a great deal of research and focus to determine what works best for me, often by the "shotgun" approach, but I am encouraged by the small successes I have achieved.

Drugs, for me, have never been an option as they seem to add another layer of complexity to an already complex issue. For me, diet has been a major player. Like many, my symptoms are worsened by sugar, alcohol, sulfites, msg, and other obvious substances. I eat only whole grain pasta, and bread. Our bread is made at home without sugar. We use monkfruit powder in recipes we want to sweeten. In canned or processed foods, I carefully check ingredients for sugar and other questionable substances as they are prevalent in most foods. Since I am an American living in Portugal, it is challenging to check ingredients in a language I have limited knowledge of so I need to be very vigilant. I am a vegetarian and mostly buy organic when available.

Exercise is also an important component of my regime. It not only helps physically, but emotionally as well.

Low ferritin was not on my radar for quite a while, as I eat lots of greens and simply didn't think it applied to me, but after having an iron panel done, I found that my numbers were low. I now take iron and C together in the evenings - and avoid any supplements that would lower iron absorption. This seems to have helped. Although results have been gradual and hard to detect, I feel I have much more energy and feel it is helping.

I read an article on "curing" RLS. Their suggestion included taking astaxanthin (12mg - although I often take more), and R-Lipoic Acid. I have also added ashwaganha (km66) in the evenings to help with sleep. It seems to be working well. Most nights I am able to get through with minimal or no RLS by eating a banana? (strange, I know) For some reason a banana is often able to divert my symptoms enough to allow me to sleep. Because I live in Portugal, I sometimes use a small amount of HHC cannabis to stop tremors and help my body relax. I try to avoid using cannabis because it becomes toxic after awhile and does not give consistent results. When I lived in the states we made an ointment from cooking THC (called decarboxylation). When massaged on my legs, it stopped RLS immediately. Results can be dependent on the strain of cannabis used. In smoking HHC - some strains could make RLS worse.

Though I am experiencing much milder(or no) symptoms, most nights, there are still nights when I have a "reaction" to something I ate or for some other unknown reason. What I do know, is that like many of you, the suffering has felt intolerable at times and left me with a feeling of desperation to find "something" that works to stop or minimize the symptoms. Now experiencing many more "good" nights, I feel I am at a point where I feel the RLS is much more manageable and am getting some much needed sleep that for years has been a huge challenge.

If you've read through to this point, my hope is there is something here that resonates for you and can provide some relief. Again, this is what has worked for me - I don't believe there is any one path to relief. If I can answer any questions I would be happy to do so. 🙏

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Dedrian
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20 Replies
SueJohnson profile image
SueJohnson

That's great! So pleased for you. Any time one can find things that relieves symptoms without medicine is very good.

Let me add a couple of things. If you take blood thinners, iron binds with blood thinners, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the blood thinners and of the iron so check with your doctor. Otherwise, make sure the iron you are taking has at least 65 mg of elemental iron. Take Lactobacillus plantarum 299v as it also helps its absorption.

Take it every other day as more is absorbed that way, 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 (or magnesium rich foods), calcium (or calcium rich foods) or zinc, even in a multivitamin take them at least 2 hours apart since they interfere with the absorption of iron. Also antacids interfere with its absorption so should be taken at least 4 hours before the iron or at least 2 hours after.

Don't take your iron tablets before or after exercise since inflammation peaks after a workout. Don't take turmeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron. If you take thyroid medicine don't take it within 4 hours. It takes several months for the iron tablets to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 3 months.

Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, artificial sweeteners, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, foods high in glutamate, ice cream, eating late at night, oestrogen (estrogen) including HRT, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), collagen supplements, eating late at night, stress and vigorous exercise.

Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennell, low oxalate diet, a low-inflammatory 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 (epsom salts), 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, playing and listening to music, creative hobbies, meditation and yoga.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any I may be able to provide a safe alternative.

Dedrian profile image
Dedrian in reply toSueJohnson

Thanks for adding to my comment Sue. I was unaware iron needed to be taken before 1 hr before meals. The variables seem endless, what to take, when to take, how much to take,... I have no doubt this forum has benefited many.😍

Joolsg profile image
Joolsg

Thanks for sharing. It's great that you have found your RLS triggers and the diet & supplements that help.

Dedrian profile image
Dedrian in reply toJoolsg

Our quality of life isn't worth compromising, right?!💕

Madlegs1 profile image
Madlegs1

Great encouragement for others!👍

It really is a life of constant vigilance!😎🕵️‍♀️

Dedrian profile image
Dedrian in reply toMadlegs1

💕

RLSAndy profile image
RLSAndy

This is lovely to hear 🙏🏻

Dedrian profile image
Dedrian in reply toRLSAndy

We've all been through the ups and downs - and times when nothing seemed to help. Thank goodness for forums like this one so we can share our stories and info!🙏

Allyp69 profile image
Allyp69

Thank you for all your suggestions. Agree about not taking prescription drugs. Too many side effects, augmentation etc..plus most doctors in UK won't prescribe for RLS. I am trying magnesium spray, butter etc plus B vitamins.. but diet is crucial. So many triggers, especially alcohol. Will try a banana in the evening!

Dedrian profile image
Dedrian in reply toAllyp69

Butter? Yes, hard to give up wine and a cold beer in a hot day!

Swillet50 profile image
Swillet50

Wonderful!+ I'm going to try the banana at night. It's probably the potassium that helps with spamsm. Ivdo take potassium magnesium and Celtics salt at night and it definitely helps. A big tablespoon of mustard helps!! Make sure you don't sit on a couch with the electricity plugged in.

Dedrian profile image
Dedrian in reply toSwillet50

Interesting.... I have very low blood pressure so ashwandha already lowers it - magnesium would effect me even more. I go with ashwandha due to my major sleep issue. Seems what works for one condition doesn't for another. Celtics salt - how does that work - how much? Not heard of that.

BoldMove profile image
BoldMove

I have followed a similar path to yours by avoiding meds and heating a really healthy diet. I have had success with NAC which I alternate with the iron/C regimen. Nothing works forever so if you don't mind advice from someone who learned the hard way, make your regimen last longer by alternating with other options.

Nothing_but_books profile image
Nothing_but_books in reply toBoldMove

What is NAC?

BoldMove profile image
BoldMove in reply toNothing_but_books

It helps with promoting a deeper sleep: webmd.com/diet/health-benef...

Dedrian profile image
Dedrian in reply toBoldMove

Great information, thank you! So you take both everyother day? How long before you noticed results?

BoldMove profile image
BoldMove in reply toDedrian

No. Alternate. Otherwise, nothing will be effective for very long.

Dedrian profile image
Dedrian in reply toBoldMove

Right, I said that wrong......🙃

Dedrian profile image
Dedrian in reply toBoldMove

Lord, I'm on board with that! What is the dosage you take?

BoldMove profile image
BoldMove in reply toDedrian

start with the lowest and work your way up as absolutely necessary.

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