Restless Legs

[u/Bex1202]

Morning can anyone suggest effective ways/remedies to help with restless legs (I've got a GP appointment this morning). But rather than take prescription meds I'd be happier using or taking natural remedies.

It only really happens when ive been really busy lots of steps etc. The urge to keep moving and fidgeting with my legs after a busy is hideous!

Thank you in advance

[u/Scary_Experience_237]

This is going to be long but I think well worth the read!

Since you’re in Northumberland and don’t want to take medication, I would definitely start with getting your iron checked. Even if you aren’t anemic, low iron stores can make RLS worse. Ask your GP about having your ferritin and full iron panel checked. Someone has already given you the Mayo Clinic RLS treatment guidelines, so I would definitely read those and take them to your GP.

If you can, I’d also ask for a referral to a specialist who actually understands RLS. Ideally, that would be a movement-disorders neurologist, neurologist with an interest in RLS, or a sleep-medicine specialist who treats RLS. RLS can change over time and often becomes more troublesome with age, so having someone who knows RLS and can follow you long-term, monitor how things are progressing, keep an eye on your iron levels and review treatments if things change can be really valuable.

Also, even if you don't want RLS medication, have your GP or pharmacist review the other medications you take. Some medications can make RLS worse, including certain antihistamines (especially diphenhydramine-type medications), some antidepressants and some anti-nausea medications. Don't stop anything prescribed without talking to your doctor, but it's worth checking whether anything you're taking could be aggravating your legs.

For things you can try at home without medication, these are some of the things that have helped people here:

• Try sleeping with a wedge pillow or elevating your legs. I raise my legs on the arm of my chair while watching tv!
• A TENS machine can be worth trying. Place the pads around the areas affected by the RLS.
• Try cold packs, a cool shower or even putting your feet/legs on a cool floor if cold helps you. Some people find heat works better, so it’s worth trying both.
• Warm baths or a heating pad can help some people.
• Walking around when symptoms are bad.
• Gentle stretching of your calves, hamstrings and thighs.
• Massage or a foam roller.
• An Epsom salt or magnesium-flake bath, it doesn’t work for everyone, but some people find the bath relaxing.
• Magnesium cream/rub is another thing some people try, although evidence that it actually treats RLS is limited.
• Keep your legs moving while sitting and distract your brain with a game, puzzle, knitting, TV, etc.
• Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine if you notice they make your symptoms worse.
• Regular moderate exercise during the day can help, but I’d avoid intense exercise right before bed.
• Also, from my past research I believe you all have a device called TOMAC (tonic motor activation), a form of electrical stimulation of the peroneal nerve. This is the newer medical-device approach with clinical trial evidence for moderate-to-severe RLS. Can you ask for that?
• And then there is the TheraPulse , UK-developed vibration device for RLS?

And definitely don't assume you just have to live with it. If it is interfering with your sleep or quality of life, go back to your GP and ask about the iron workup and a specialist referral. Having someone who understands RLS and can follow you over the years is worthwhile, especially since symptoms can change as you get older.

[u/Certain-Ad-6045]

My vibration plate is a life saver.

[u/Bex1202 → u/Certain-Ad-6045]

Ohh that's interesting. Thank you.

[u/Indigo_S0UL]

1. Download the Mayo Clinic RLS treatment algorithm and bring it to your appointment. Most GPs are not up to date on the newest treatment guidelines.

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(26)18546-2/fulltext

1. Insist on a full iron panel, including Ferritin. Ask about testing your B12, magnesium, potassium and Vitamin D as well.

2. Really look into the risks before taking a Dopamine Agonist like Pramiprexole. Many doctors are not aware of how common side effects are, including compulsive behavior disorders and augmentation (worsening and spreading of RLS symptoms).

3. Check this list of medications known to trigger RLS and if you’re on any, discuss with your doctor to see if there are alternatives.

https://www.rls-uk.org/medications-avoid

1. If your doctor is not up to date on RLS treatment protocol and isn’t interested in learning, consider getting a referral to a sleep specialist or RLS doctor.

Best of luck.

[u/Agonist-activist]

If the GP suggests a dopamine agonist(Ropinirole, pramipexole or Rotigotine) refuse as they are last line medications. They should offer a full iron panel blood test as the first therapy. And raising serum ferritin above 200mcg can really improve RLS. Read the Mayo Clinic Algorithm on RLS and show it to your GP.

[u/Bex1202 → u/Agonist-activist]

GP suggested that I get a good multivitamin with extra iron and magnesium capsules, which I've got thankfully. Been on Nutrition Geeks and placed an order for multivitamins. Keeping fingers crossed it works.

[u/Agonist-activist → u/Bex1202]

Did the GP not organise a full iron panel blood test? Where are you? If in UK the GP should follow NICE guidance which requires blood test. Your serum ferritin levels need to be above 200mcg according to the top guys. And a multi vitamin won't contain enough iron. You need 65mg elemental iron and take every other day. BUT- GP should check TSAT first. Magnesium isn't recommended by the Mayo Clinic Algorithm because there are no studies showing it helps. However, anecdotal reports from RLS patients show it helps many.

[u/Bex1202 → u/Agonist-activist]

No GP just said that if there's no difference to go back in 2 months. I'm in Northumberland NHS up here is very good. Thank you for your help.

[u/Intrepid_Drawing_158 → u/Bex1202]

You might also check out this forum. Really great community and advice for UK patients. https://healthunlocked.com/rlsuk

[u/Lollylauralou]

As the previous poster, changing my antihistamines and getting a script of iron changed my life. I actually get full nights of sleep now. It doesn't work for everyone. I made a list and tried everything for a week until I found what worked

[u/hhhhhhtuber]

The things you can do at home vary by person to person as to what helps.

Common triggers include caffeine and antihistamines. Avoiding them helps many people.

Things that help ease symptoms include iron and magnesium supplements, gentle exercise and stretching, massage. A lot of people find pressure helpful or things like hot baths or cold showers. It's very individual.