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I just want to comment on the statement that RLS is night time condition as quoted in your article. Yes, it may start up at night time, but I have RLS night and day, it makes no difference what time it is. I would say that half the people in my support groups have RLS 24/7. Also, would like to mention to teh person that said he uses antidepressants. Lots of us do, but you have to watch out for certain classesd of anti-d's, such as the tricyclics or the SSRI's. They can actually make RLS worse for most RLSer's, and it is brutal. So, that is something to talk to your doc about, and look it up and read more about it if you haven't. Many meds can make RLS worse.
I have been afflicted with severe restless leg symptoms for about 35 years now.
Just for context, each year, I might have 3 non sequential evenings per year where, for reasons unknown, I have no symptoms. In the past few years, the symptoms have gotten worse. I no longer suffer just evenings and nights, I am also woken up with them around 7 AM, and feel symptoms on and off throughout the day if I sit. I have never tried the medications (Requip etc..as the idea of lifelong medicating does not appeal to me.)
20 days ago, like usual, I was lying in bed twisting and bending my legs around trying to get momentary relief. For some reason, I ended up on my side in a tight fetal position.
Strangely, I felt some immediate relief, so I held the position, thinking I would see how long it worked, (as you know, most movements give approximately 1 or 2 minutes of relief maximum).
I really tightened up my knees to my chest and that stretched and curved the back also. I held the position for about 2 minutes and the symptoms went away, I was so happy with even that short relief, but got tired of keeping the position, so I relaxed and figured I would do it again after a few minutes. The miracle? When I relaxed, the relief continued, and incredibly, I fell asleep! It was only 11:45PM! I never fall asleep until the symptoms abate around 2 or 3 AM!
Holding the position for approximately 2 minutes seems to give approximately 24 hours of relief! I have been doing it for 20 days now, once each evening at the onset of symptoms, and again when I go to bed, just to be sure, and have eliminated the symptoms as soon as they reappear.
I have no idea why this works, as it does not stretch or twist the lower leg area (the area affected for me). Is there some relation between RLS and the spine? I wish I knew.
Please pass this information along to others to try. I am now telling anyone who will listen. I only wish I had discovered this while my father was alive. He also suffered so badly...
I am so glad to have found long lasting relief. I am actually scared it might stop working in time, but for now, I CAN SLEEP!! I haven't annoyed everyone walking around and doing deep knee bends all evening while trying to watch TV!
I virtually eliminated my Restless Leg Syndrome, as well as my overall muscular body pain, including my lifelong leg pain, through the use of magnesium oil. Most of us in the industrialized world are very magnesium-deficient, and this deficiency is linked to many diseases, illnesses and maladies, including chronic overall muscular tightness, leg pain, and Restless Leg Syndrome.
Magnesium oil can be purchased from various sites on the Internet. It should be rubbed into the body on a daily basis, and is very safe to use, as long as the user is not suffering from a condition such as kidney failure, myasthenia gravis, or an extremely low heart rate.
Calcium is what is marketed to people, especially women, very aggressively, when what they often need instead is magnesium.
I sleep 6 hrs. each night, but I have Constant Fatigue, I have lower back pressure, which allows me to stand on my feet approximately 10-15 min at a time, then I have to sit down..I experience chronic "deep" neck and shoulder pain, along with minor head aches..I have 3 stents, and I have one aorta graft stent for an aneurism. I have had two heart attacks, and I have had Cancer removed twice..I also experience some breathing issues, dizzyness and light headedness at certain times during the day (usually once daily)...I am a Vietnam Veteran...one of my doctors suggest that the cancers could be caused by exposure to herbicides, however, the VA does not agree..any suggestions at to what is causing these problems to my health ?? I appreciate any direction, Thank you...
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The nightmare of undiagnosed rls....8 years of little sleep due to having to get up and walk, stretch my legs, or soak them in a tub full of water so hot, I looked like a lobster ! I can't even count the number of nights the best sleep I got was in the tub. The days I was so sleepy, and knowing the drive home would be dangerous, not just for me, but the other drivers who might get in the way of me sleeping at the wheel. I have also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and take opiods and anti-depressents, and various other drugs for other conditions, and if I had to give up all my drugs except one, I would keep the Requip that I was started on 2 years ago. I would fight for that drug !!! It does have a few side effects, a bit of nausea, some dizziness, and it makes sleepy . I started having jerking motions of my fingers and wrist after 1 year, but to be able to lie down and get to sleep is worth it.
i take 2mg of requip at night is this effective, just started, hope it works. can img tablet be scored in 1/2.