**Need Help with RLS**

I have had to cut my caffeine consumption to none after 5pm. It has helped with RLS and also my sleeping. I can go to sleep fine, but I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep. I can tell on nights when I have had Dr Pepper with supper.

Maybe you could try taking a dose of Tylenol or drinking a glass of wine just before bed, just to help you relax. I know those may not sound like something you want to do long term, but every so often. On nights when I can't get back to sleep, I have taken tylenol to help me relax and it definitely helps. I'm not talking a PM version, just the regular stuff.

My husband has been taking Requip and it works great. We look at it as if he is taking a supplement to help. Also, Mirapax is supposed to be good. It is worth a try!

I have been suffering with RLS for about 10 years now and I started taking Requip. I know you said you did not want to try meds from the doctor but I was so sleep deprived that I decided to start taking them. I have been taking them now for about 6 years and it has worked wonders. I have had some side affects like tinging in my arms but I have now adjusted the dose to a quarter of a pill and that is still working fine. My husband laughs that I bother with a quarter of a pill but I have still tried to go without and the symptoms come back. So in my opinion, it is worth it... if you have side affects, adjust the dose

I understand completely because I also have RLS and it is a very severe case. I was also a single mom with three children trying to teach and deal with children on less that a perfect nights sleep. I went to see Dr. Duhun at the Sleep Disorders clinic because I couldn't take it any more. I had been taking requip but it made me so sleepy that I couldn't function when I had to take it during the day. He changed my meds to Mirapex and it has worked like a miracle. I only have to take it at night and it doesn't make me sleepy during the day. There is also the Restless Leg Foundation that puts out a monthly newsletter that always has suggestions. It is free to join. There are some other remedies that claim to work but I haven't tried them. One is acupuncture and the second is chiropractic. I do see a Chiropractor twice a week but I have so many other issues that we haven't gotten to the restless legs yet. I go to Dr. Jon Guymon on Cypress Creek in Cedar Park and he is wonderful. I'm new to this part of Texas so I'm not sure where Kingwood is in relation to Cedar Park. Good luck and I'll keep you in my prayers because I know how devastating it can be.

If possible dear sister - leave the caffeine alone after 12:00 p.m. -- I have not suffered with this particular ailment but know it has many calcium depleting, momma unraveling effects -- Know that I am praying for peaceful legs for you in Cypress, TX!!

I suffer from the same and have never seeked help from my doctor, but I found that tylenol before bed or even during the day has helped me. I am able to get a good nights sleep with out my legs acting up.

There are other meds out there beside requip and mirsomething or other. They have been using anti parkinsons meds for years with pretty good results. Unfortunately a lot of the medical community is just now starting to understand that is really is a problem. But there are still some of the old school physicians that either don't believe it, think its mental, or still prescribe things like quienine. I would suggest cutting out some caffiene, easier said than done I know, and do some research and find out what else there are for medication options if you're uncomfortable with what you have now. Remember that its your body and you have to live in it, and there's no better advocate for your body than you. Best of luck.

I have RLS, although I don't think it's quite as severe as yours from your description. Anyway, my sister is a nurse and made a few suggestions to help me:

1. Walk or run (or exercise) every day.
2. Cut down on caffeine intake 24/7. You stated that you don't drink any caffeine for a couple of hours before bedtime, but you may have to cut down or cut out caffeine during the day as well. (And remember that caffeine is in more than just coffee and sodas.)
3. Try taking a multi-vitamin with iron. Low or borderline iron levels can make RLS symptoms worse.

I hope you are able to find something that works for you!

Try taking a melotonin supplement before bedtime to help you relax and fall asleep. It is what your body normally produces to help induce sleep. You may be lacking it. Take it regularly to build up in your system. You can find it anywhere natural supplements are sold, even HEB. My husband recommends the NOW brand.

I would tend to agree with the advice here to make sure you are getting enough minerals.

I know that when I am NOT taking enough iron, calcium, magnesium (potassium I haven't tried) and also a GOOD B-complex, then I have RLS.

I haven't figured out exactly which one of those I am low on. But it is ALWAYS a defiency in a mineral.

Also try taking a bath with Epsom Salt right before bed. Epsom salt is Magnesium Sulfate and you will absorb it through your skin. Magnesium is a muscle relaxer.

If you take Iron. Try Iron Glycinate from Xymogen. For all these minerals you must make sure you take enough and also a good brand. If your body can't break them down or you can't absorb them then you are wasting your time and money. I always consult with the guys at Peoples RX in Austin.

So many of our diseases and/or conditions can be healed and prevented with proper nutrtion. So I always try to seek out what my body actually needs first and foremost.

The staff at Peoples RX are also nutritionists. You can make a one-on-one consultation with them and I know they can help you!! They are TERRIFIC!

Goodluck!

Hi, this is what works for me. A glass of Gatorade at lunchtime and a Benadryl thirty minutes before bedtime.It has to brand name on the Gatorade but not on the Benadryl.Some times If I have had a really physical workout I will take 2 Benadryl.Hope it helps you and it takes a couple of days to really show improvement.

A lady from my church had this. She was getting ready to start Miripex for it, and had been advised not to drink while she was on that drug. The night before the sarterd her treatment she had one last glass of red wine before bed and found that her legs didn't trouble her.

She decided to try red wine again, and it worked the second time. Weeks later she said that if she has a glass of red wine before bed her legs are fine and she sleeps through the night.

Please don't start taking Miripex or Requip unless there is just no other way to live.

I used to have it too, but started taking a potassium supplement from the health food store. A banana wasn't enough for me. Since increasing my potassium, the restless,cramping legs problem is gone. If you want to know more potassium rich foods, e-mail me back. I have a list. HTH

I stopped all caffiene and drink 99% water. Lots and lots of water. I also beefed up my fruits and veggies. I am not taking a thing except vitamins and my symptoms are all but gone. I fall asleep and stay asleep. It is very much a change and I feel like a new person!

My husband had RLS for many, many years. He absolutely hated taking Requip. For whatever reason, a bar of soap at the end of the bed works for him. He opens a bar, puts it in a sock and ties the end shut. About every 3-4 months it seems to lose some of its effectiveness, so he replaces the bar with a new one. He hasn't taken Requip for several years now. The only time he has RLS episodes now is when he's really overdone it during the day.

I don't have restless leg syndrome, but when I was pg, my legs were really restless before bed. My dr would tell me to prop my legs against the wall for 30 minutes before I went to bed and most of the time, that would make my legs feel better. Its just a suggestion... Hope it helps.

My husband is a 20 yrs experienced Myofascial Therapist and massage therapist in the business, and suffered from this himself in college. i know he could help you. we're in NW Austin, but maybe there is someone in your area. Please feel free to contact us: ____@____.com.

I don't know about RLS, but if you are still drinking caffeinated beverages "a couple of hours" before bed, that's way too late! You should cut the caffeine out after lunchtime. Drink plenty of water to flush your system after that. I know about that afternoon "slump" we can get, but often it is a sign we are dehydrated, not in need of more caffeine! Drink water and see if you perk up....sure keeps me from nodding off around 4pm. :) Add this to your RLS advice I hope you get here from some other nice momma and maybe you'll get better sleep! Good luck!

I had this at night, too, especially bad when I tried to get to sleep. Several years ago I had my mineral levels checked via bloodwork and found out I was deficient in Magnesium (my calcium & iron levels were good). I was prescribed magnesium supplements - I take a liquid form that I started through my nutritionist. I haven't had the problem since. Many magnesium supplements include calcium, but my nutrionist cautioned me about taking too much of any supplement that my body doesn't need. Unfortunately, my practioner is in S.C. so I can't refer you to him, but maybe try and get your mineral levels checked for deficiencies. Presciption medications just cover up symptoms, they do not treat the underlying health condition. You may need to find a physician that practises "alternative" or "complementary" medicine in order to get the help you need. However, I would try adding magnesium alone for a month and see if it helps. I've also had to quit caffeine by lunchtime - if I drink any caffeine after 6pm I feel jittery all night. I'm 40 years old, by the way. Good luck!

I have the same thing. I take a calcium/magnesium/potassium/zinc supplement and stretch my legs every night before I go to sleep. Calcium is a natural muscle relaxer and these minerals are good for your muscles and bones. If I don't take the supplement I can really tell the difference. Good luck.

I have heard if you sleep with a opened bar of soap in the sheets by your feet it helps????

Dear R., I get terrible night leg cramps if I don't follow this regime. I get on my exercise bike twice a day for 20 minutes. I don't drink coffee after 10am. I eat a banana a day. I drink lots of water. I take a one a day vitamin and extra B vitamins if I'm having any sort of problem with my legs. I take calcium with magnesium at bedtime. I don't like prescription medications - they don't get to the heart of the problem - they mask the symptoms. Good Luck. L.

Hi there! I hate to hear that you are not able to sleep due to RLS. I really don't know if the mangosteen juice will help, but here are two testimonies. I don't want anyone to think that I am just promoting my business. I truly just want to inform people of another option to good health.

Restless Leg Syndrome / Prescription Medications Message List

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My wife and I are enjoying excellent health. It is the result of our drinking no less than one ounce of the healthiest dietary supplement juice world wide [mangosteen juice]. We've been drinking it with every meal since the first week in March '06.

Before we began drinking [mangosteen juice], I was taking my wife to see our Doctor, and two Specialists every three to four months for years. By the time she had her annual Physical January 17, 2007 she had not taken any prescription medications for some 6 months.

When our Doctor was done I asked him "when shall I schedule her next appointment?" "Next Junuary unless there is a need to schedule one before then" was his reply. Here it is September 18, 2007 and I've not had to schedule an appointment for her with our Doctor or either Specialist.

As for yours truly (Jack); after drinking the delicious tasting dietary supplement [mangosteen] juice for three days, my Restless Leg Syndrome vanished and has not returned.

Meanwhile we urge every reader to "Let food be your medicine." -- Hippocrates

Jack and Fran - Niles, MI

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#1

When I started using 1 oz. mangosteen juice over 1 ½ years ago, I could not believe how it helped almost EVERYTHING! As things began to disappear, I noticed my RLS went away after about 6 months. I even tried the soap bar in the bed sheets, but to no avail for me. And then, it was just gone. I have upped my mangosteen juice to swigs from the bottle about 3-4 times a day so it is evenly distributed in my body and just keeps on working for me.

~ Carole B.

#2

I had restless leg syndrome from many years and nothing seemed to help . As soon as my mangosteen juice arrived, I took 2ozs not even thinking if it would even help and didn't have restless legs that very night. Since then, I rarely have a night when my legs bother me....if they start to, I just take more juice. My body responded immediately but others who have had the same good results have taken anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months to notice a difference. Remember, we all have different bodies, therefore, no one can predict the amount of time it would take to get the desired results.

~ M.M.

#3

I'm having the same results. I've also been told to eat a bit of something....it evidently helps to keep the juice in your stomach longer. I'm so glad I heard about this juice. It has helped me out of bad depression and my joints don't hurt anymore. I also had a bit of restless leg and I'm fine now. I am not depressed and I've been just busy, busy, busy compared to laying around hurting and tired all the time.Best to you and stay healthy!

~ Dolores V.


Hope the information is useful.
www.vanshotwell.mymangosteen.com

I buy an over-the-counter potassium supplement from Wal-Mart, and take one tablet every day with my evening meal. My leg muscles used to hurt so much at night that I could not just lie in bed and endure it; I had to get up and walk around. Now they don't bother me at all, unless I forget to take the potassium.

You could try to take a multi-mineral. It has helped me with leg issues during pregnancy. It has helped a ton with being able to sleep and not waking up due to my legs freaking out in the middle of the night. Hope you find something soon that helps...

Bless you! My husband has it too. I understand your concern about the side effects. Just remember that not everyone gets the scary side effects, and the drug companies are required to list them ALL. That's why it's important to keep trying different medications until you find one that works well with no or few or tolerable side effects for YOU, just like you do with your kids. If your child had RLS and wasn't getting enough sleep, what would you do? We all know that our immune system DEPENDS on restorative (REM) sleep to keep us mentally and physically healthy, pleasant, able to make solid decisions, drive safely, etc. So all I'm saying is, stay flexible, open, and practical. If you find something that works, please share it with us so we can all learn. Good luck!

My husband was diagnosed with RLS about a year and 1/2 ago. He went through a sleep study to determine the severity then tried three different presciptions before finding the right one for him. It's amazing how much healthier he is because he can actually rest his body (not to mention easier to be around). It is a little expensive to go through the testing, but I would say it's an investment in you that will pay off 100 times over because you can take better care of your family. I strongly urge you to go to the doctor and pursue medical treatment.

Hello,

My husband suffers from the same. We've tried a lot of things. About a month ago we purchased Valerian Root at GNC which is a herbal supplement. He is sleeping throughout the night. He still has it when he lays down to rest, but this supplement has helped him to sleep better.
I hope this helps you too!

I take extra Potassium and Iron everyday and it works for me. I suffer if I don't...

I have the same thing but my doctor insists I don't and it drives me crazy. He did prescribe me a mild 5 mg. sleeping pill to take if needed and then I took the rest in to my own hands. I first started standing by my bed with my feet slightly apart and bending backwards at the waist and holding it for a few seconds. Then I repeated it 5 - 10 times and also rotated my waist in a circle as well. This helped tremendously. Then bending backwards and holding it I got from researching on the internet. I then also went to get a massage which I never do nor have time for and I had a hard time finding someone who could give me a good nice one like a Swedish massage and not that darn sports or deep tissue one that only made things worse. I finally found this lady (Dianne Warner) at Rene's of Castle Hills on N.W.Military (if you are in San Antonio) and not only could she do the massage I wanted but she was also an expert in accupressure which I have to admit I wasn't really a true believer. I paid extra for the 90 minute massage vs. the hour or half hour and I have to tell you she was absolutely wonderful and I had no further problems for well over a month. I am just now starting to have some symptoms again and will be going back. As for the sleeping pills they are very mild and I can totally function on them. I do not take them every night but I do get a nice full sleep and they do not cause me not to be able to still wake up if needed and when I do wake up I feel so refreshed and not sluggish and tired. Oh by the way, I don't really get that much exercise anymore and I just couldn't stop all my caffeine and I am doing fine. I like you didn't want to take any medication for RLS. You might try the massage and see if that helps. It sure helps not taking medication. Good Luck to you.

1) Try not drinking any caffeine after noon daily.

2) Take iron supplements (be sure to eat something with them). This was recommended to my daughter. It takes a while to start helping, but should help.

Hope you get some sleep!

It is not much fun. I have had RLS myself and discovered that, for me, it was a mineral, a B vitamins and an HCL deficiency. Even today, if I wake up in the middle of the night without being able to keep my legs quiet, I will get up and take nutritional support that allows me to go right back to sleep.
I'd be careful with Tylenol. It decreases glutathione levels (increases intracellular energy and detoxes inside every cell)which give the body the ability to heal itself) so, personally, I stay away from it.
Caffeine removes minerals so, if you drink it, it would be a good idea to take that out of your life.
Sometimes magnesium chloride helps. This is different from magnesium sulfate (Empsom Salts)
If you would like to talk more about this, my # is ###-###-####.

Whenever I go through bouts of RLS, I up my calcium and magnesium intake and that seems to help.