RLS and Antihistamine

[Jb8880]

Can a tens unit calm RLS?

[amrob123]

It had the opposite effect for me. There are loads of posts about TENS machines in this group. Input "TENS" into the search bar and they should come up.

[RalphWiggam]

For a tens unit to work on RLS it would have to be almost 20X stronger than you could tolerate while trying to stimulate the perineal nerve. This I have learned from my experience with the Nidra devices by Noctrix Health. Their devices use a different approach to stimulation that is effective at simulating the same results your muscles create when you walk for relief-but without you having to walk or actually have to feel much of a sensation at all.

[SueJohnson]

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

A few find it helps temporarily. Most don't. But you need something that helps all the time.

Do you take any medicines? If so what and how much. I am going to assume you don't since you don't list any on your profile.

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 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 (DA) like ropinirole (requip), pramipexole (mirapex)or Neupro (rotigotine) unless there is some special reason s/he feels you need it. They used to be the first line treatment for RLS, but no longer are because of the danger of augmentation. NICE in the last couple of days has changed their recommendation to say gabapentin/pregabalin should be prescribed and not DAs so print that out and take to your doctor as most doctors will want to prescribe a DA. 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). 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 nor antacids 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...

Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium(salt), foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, estrogen without progesterone and sometimes even with it, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, eating late at night, stress and vigorous exercise. It is a good idea to keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse.

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.

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. I have a list of more than 300 medicines and OTC supplements that make RLS worse and have safe alternatives for most of them.

The safe antihistamines are OTC claritin, allegra and zyrtec and prescription clarinex.

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 and any other health conditions you have.

[JenniferBut in reply to SueJohnson]

Sue, what an amazing person you are for putting all this information together!Thanks so much for being so kind and helpful, so many of us would be very lost if it weren't for you.

[Madpaddy]

Tens never worked for me unfortunately, dihydrocodeine is the only thing that works for me although its a major battle getting it of most doctors...