I get terrible RLS when flying. I am... - Restless Legs Syn...
I get terrible RLS when flying. I am planning to fly to Australia in a year but I'm dreading it, any tips or advice that you can offer?
You could try this website.. rlsrebel.com the lady who made this website Jill Gunzel, died a few months ago, but her website is still available for all to look at. Jill has on that website a part where she had to fly to singapore and has tips and tricks which she used to get her through that trip. You may find you can use many of those yourself.
Thanks! I'll take a look.
A few years back I flew to new Zealand . I hadn't discovered any medication then except over the counter 3x nurofen plus. This helped a bit and I spent a lot of the flight walking up and down the plane talking to other passengers who were doing the same.....maybe you could get some sleeping pills as a one off from your doctor.
Thanks!
I was exactly the same, worrying for months when flying to Caribbean. If possible make sure you have extra leg room and wearing comfortable clothing. Most of all have a word with your GP .... I got on that plane with enough medication for everyone (all prescribed )...having said that I was up and down to stretch my legs. looking around at other passengers having a snooze..including my husband ..plus friends.... Kept thinking to myself.... why don't I ...SHOUT OUT LOUD ..WHERE GOING TO CRASH. ..That would wake them all up...how dare they sleep. Awful aren't I...but I kept myself occupied ... Being serious have a word with GP.
Another forum member suggested in a previous blog to take medication early and regularly to prevent RLS coming on. I did this on a recent flight to America and was amazed to find it worked for most of the flight (thanks to the lady who drove to Belgium!).
I set the alarm on my phone to remind me to take more tablets and to change my patch early. I decided that it would be ok to dose myself higher than normal just this once as I was still well within the boundaries of what is a safe dose. I also took some sleeping tablets with me that the doctor had prescribed (my GP agreed to give me some for the long flight as a one off). I got up and walked around regularly to prevent RLS coming on. We paid in advance for slightly more leg room on our Virgin flight (only a few seats had it on our plane) which is well worth it if you can and a great deal cheaper than the upgrade option. Other than that, all the usual stuff like wearing cool, loose fitting trousers, in cotton if possible, wear lace ups or trainers so you can remove or loosen them when your feet swell, drink plenty of water and not too much alcohol! The TV/film options had improved so much since I last took a flight that I'm sure that helped too as I could watch a huge variety of good things on my own TV which was probably a good distraction. Best of luck!
Dear Slimgirl
I found the following tips for helping on long flights :
From early experience, and from the tips of many other RLSers, the following list of travel tricks has been developed :
1. TAKE A MUG: I take a big mug with tea bags already in it. I use a thermal Nissan mug, with two Tension Tamer Tea bags (Celestial Seasonings) and my sweetener already in it. When I sense an RLS attack coming on, I pull out the mug and ask the flight attendant to fill it with hot water. Then I sip, and relax.
Sometimes, I have the mug filled just as I'm boarding the plane. One problem is that the hot water faucets on the plane won't take a tall mug under them, so they never really fill the mug. I've learned to stop at a restaurant or snack bar near the boarding gate, and have THEM fill it to the brim. You're already through security at that point, so there's no problem taking it on board. For long flights, just take extra bags and sweetener, for refills, later in the flight.
2. MUSIC, MOVIES, DISTRACTIONS: I try to take along a portable CD player with my earphones and favorite music. Other options are to rent a portable DVD player at the airport (just saw this in San Diego), and watch your own private movie on the trip. But be aware that certain types of movies can aggravate RLS. For me, slapstick themes, or ones where they get deeper and deeper into trouble, drive my RLS crazy. If you rent the DVD player, I guess you return the player and movie at the next stop, or on your return trip. When my RLS started up, on a recent trip, I pulled out my video camera and watched the tape of the whole vacation. Never had a problem, once I got involved in the video. I ususally try to have some kind of paper work, or busy work to keep distracted.
3. CLOTHING: Wear whatever helps you, the most. For me, it means very thin baggy slacks, shoes that can be kicked off, and no jackets or confining things on top. I've got one pair of baggy slacks that I only wear for car or plane travel. Weird, but they always seem to keep me comfortable, and not aggravate things.
4. RESERVE AN AISLE SEAT: If you can't get an aisle seat when you make your reservation, try asking for it at the gate. Be sure to remind them that RLS is covered under the "Air Carriers Access Act", which means they have to provide you with the same services offered to other disabled passengers. (This does NOT mean they have to give you an aisle seat. See the article in the May issue of Nightwalkers.) Most airlines reserve the front bulk head seats for last minute assignment to the disabled. Some of us would rather have a regular row seat, so we can put our feet under the seat in front of us, rather than having the bulkhead wall. It's also a good idea to ask at the gate, as soon as you get there, for the Exit row...which usually has more leg room.
And one more seating trick.......if you are travelling as a couple, reserve the aisle and window seat. If the plane isn't full, there's a good chance no one will want the middle seat. This will give you more leg room. If someone DOES come for that seat, they are usually thrilled to take the aisle or window, if you want to move over to sit by your travelling partner.
5. BE LAST TO BOARD: I wait until they call the last group of people to board, and then I'm the last person in THAT group. If your seat is assigned already, there's no rush to get to it (unless you need to find overhead room for your carry on luggage....and you MIGHT be able to give that to a flight attendant and have them put it above your seat). If you're the last to board, you'll be distracted with the quick take off, and less likely to have RLS while sitting around getting claustrophobic as people crowd in around you.
6. TAKE FOOD: Pizza really smells, and irritates nearby hungry passengers...but hey, it's allowed. Better bet is a sandwich and drink. There's no problem bringing them on board. They'll keep you busy and distracted.
7. RLS DISTRACTION TREATS: Besides your regular meals and snacks, remember to have those special RLS foods which help to keep you distracted, i.e. suckers, raisins, peanuts, popcorn.
8. PUSH-CUSH: There's a gimmick that might be worth a try. It's called a Push-Cush, or leg exerciser. It's a two chamber pillow that helps you keep your feet moving. It's made to prevent blood clots and improve circulation, but we suspect it could help with RLS. I bought one and have had some success with it, but I'm not sure it's necessary to really have one. Once I understood how it worked, and what muscles and rhythm was involved, I've found I can simulate the motions, without the pillow. This has worked for me many times in cars and planes and at theaters. As long as your legs are marching and the thigh muscles are working and you are concentrating on keeping the motions going....you'll probably be RLS free. Worst is, it'll start up the minute you stop. So...don't stop! 
The Push Cush deflates absolutely flat, so it would be easy to always have along. If interested, try this URL (Do NOT try to retype this! Just double click on it and it'll come up. If you insist on typing it, just do the first part, with the "magellans.com" and then search for "push cush".
9. BEWARE, THE BEVERAGE CART!!!: Anticipate the dreaded service cart!!! There's no worse time on a flight, than when the food service cart is coming down the aisle, and you foresee the impending roadblock to your ability to stand and walk. Know this and plan for it! When they get within several rows of you, go for a walk. Only sit down at the last minute. By then, you'll be busy ordering and accepting your drink/food, and it'll pass the time. Otherwise, by the time they get to you, you'll be ready to run, but won't be able to. Also, it's a good idea to get YOUR tea, or whatever you use to calm yourself, inside of you in time for it to be working, when the car appears.
10. BRUSHING: Brushing has saved me on many flights. It's a brisk fast massage. Click "here" for more information on it, and scroll down to Trick #6.
11. BUSY WORK: Take appropriate and effective busy work. This can be reading material, knitting, video games, or paper work. Make sure it's the type that distracts you well. I find that magazines will actually aggravate my RLS, so I try to stay clear of them.
12. RUBBER BAND TRICK: Try the" Rubber Band Trick"
13- Take Your reliable medicine to relief you prior to take off, including your sleeping pills.
This is brilliant thanks!
I didn't know about the Air Carriers Access Act pertaining to RLS. Thanks
Yes, these are the ones that i posted for slimceagirl on the website i gave her. Good website for anyone to look at for tips and tricks whether you are travelling or not, whether you are taking medication or not. Jill Gunzel managed her RLS without any meds.
When my daughter and I planned a trip from the US to Germany last year, she insisted I either bring my Neupro Patch or a parachute! I had concerns about timing the patch, but also decided overmedicating was OK. Thankfully, the patch worked and I did not have to bail. Flying home alone I sat next to a man who DIDIN'T have a patch - but really could have used it! I think he was relieved to have a compassionate understanding seat mate!
I too was dreading a flight to Australia last November. I managed RLS ok, pre-booking an aisle seat for the whole journey. I took one tablet of pramipexole before I got on the plane (I'm normally allowed 2 x 0.18mg per day) and then another every so often whenever I felt RLS might be coming on, probably more than the recommended dose! Like the other recommendations, I got up and walked up and down the aisle every so often, watched as many films as I could, also took an I-pad and e-book reader. Somehow I got through the whole journey there and back without any problems.
Thanks, as well as the symptoms, if I can't get an aisle seat, I get really anxious that I'm annoying my neighbours with my constant fidgeting, I'm sure my anxiety makes the symptoms a hundred times worse. All of your advice has reassured me and I'm going to discuss with my GP and try all of the suggested strategies.
If you don't get an aisle seat just fidget like mad and keep disturbing the person on the aisle, especially if they go to sleep,apologise like mad , say you have an acute "condition". Cry a lot and I'm sure they will swap!!!!!!!!!!!
If it's a guy then mention women's troubles!!!
LOL!
Oh and I really must ask....are you the REAL slimcea girl with the balloon and floating bread and everything??????
Not quite! I ate too much of the bread and now the balloon won't lift!
Narcotics.
Ha ha x
Ask your GP if it is possible to have about 6 Clonazapam. If the GP agrees you will need to take at least one tablet two nights before you fly out and repeat for the return. Worked for me but I took 1and half tablets each night. no side effects and peaceful still legs.all the way to Canada. They last for 24 hours pe4r dose. Good luck.
Dojen.
I fly long haul quite a bit and all the above tips have helped me in the past, especially wearing loose clothing - take loose plane socks to keep your feet covered but cool. Don't eat or drink any sugar or caffiene (I always forget and drink orange juice - just have water if possible). Stretch as much as possible before and on the plane and if you can do some exercise the day of the flight. I also always ask at check in how busy the flight is and if there's a bit of space I always say to the flight attendant 'I have a problem with my legs are there any spare rows?'. This is the best possible outcome - I once slept an entire 8 hours on a plane as I had 4 seats to myself!
Good luck!
Anti anxiety meds and support hose. Try frequent walking. My doctor also said that I should take an extra dose of pramepexole before taking off.
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