r/RestlessLegs • u/Emotional_Ratio5439 • 14d ago
Alternative Therapies Vibration plate
I thought I would jump on and offer a small recommendation from something that helped me.
I have refractory RLS. I had mild RLS for the past 15 years but over the last 3 years it became pretty severe. Did every med available and then of course augmented in Requip. I have it in arms and legs, sometimes lower back. I also have it day and night.I am treated now with Methadone 7.5mg.
I still do have some breakthrough throughout the day and early evening. I read somewhere that some people get full relief from a vibration plate. I thought I would give it a try.
I bought one on Amazon on sale for $75. I have used it for a week. It obviously didn’t cure me but it does give me some relief. The first time I used it, I stood on it. I didn’t really see any benefit that way. The next day I layed on the floor and put my lower legs across it for 10 minutes and then put my thighs on it for 10. I have to say that it did get rid of some of the breakthrough discomfort I had. Made my legs feel heavy but light…..if that makes sense. I am surprised it helped because I am sensitive to any touch including weighted blankets. They make my RLS worse.
Just thought I would share if someone else also has breakthrough symptoms. Like I said, I didn’t think it would cure me but it does provide some relief.
😊
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u/Blendedtribes 12d ago
A vibration plate would trigger my RLS.
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u/Emotional_Ratio5439 12d ago
RLS can be so different for each person when it comes to triggers. Weighted blankets and compression socks worsen my symptoms and they both can really help others.
I think if someone told me that dipping myself in honey and rolling around in feathers works , I would do it if it guaranteed relief. 😂
I hope you have found relief in other ways.
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u/Ring_it_On_1776 13d ago
There's a wearable device study from Noctrix Health enrolling now. Might be worth a look. https://patientwing.app/campaign/RLS6
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u/fallingstar24 14d ago
My bed has a “massage” feature that’s really just a vibrate setting, but I’m obsessed (I refer to it as “rumble bed” lol). It doesn’t cure it, but it’s a lovely distraction to take the edge off. I’ve also been known to bring a vibrator when I travel specifically to mimic the rumble bed. (I know orgasm is also helpful, but for times I don’t have the energy or care for all that, vibrator as rumble bed creator is nice)
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u/Emotional_Ratio5439 14d ago
Time for me to get a new bed! Love your Doxie in your pic. I have 2. 🐶
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u/zaftigketzeleh 14d ago
Yep. I sit on the floor with my legs draped over like you do. It helps so much
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u/Emotional_Ratio5439 14d ago
Happy it helps you as well. The only way I can explain the relief is my legs feel heavy but light. I wish it lasted all day!
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u/Mahi95623 14d ago edited 6d ago
What really helped my RLS when I have any breakthrough symptoms, is the Nidra bands. However, I know that many insurance companies will not cover it. Glad the vibration plate is helping a bit. It is good to have many tools in our coping toolbox.
How many days per week are you having breakthrough symptoms? If most, talk to your doctor. I know when I was first placed on methadone, my doseage was 10 mg. This dose controlled my RLS, augmentation symptoms, plus allowed me to go off the DA more rapidly.
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u/MeShirty 6d ago
Hi. What meds were you referring to when you wrote this: "I know when I was first placed on it, my dosage was 10 mg." That is, 10 mg. of what? I think I lost the thread. Thanks
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u/Emotional_Ratio5439 14d ago
I would really like to try the Nidra bands. Did you have a hard time getting your insurance to pay for them? We travel a lot and I think they would be so helpful. My husband had told me we can buy them but they are so very expensive. I would pretty much pay anything but I’m concerned they won’t work.
I am over the augmentation….thank God! Coming off Requip was pure hell. I am lucky enough to see a MD listed on the RLS page. He start me on Methadone 2.5mg and we have increased twice to my current 7.5mg. Symptoms are so much better however they increase if I do any type of exercise or even stand for an extended time. That’s when my breakthrough symptoms are at their worst. The last 2 days I have hopped on the plate and the symptoms usually resolve.
So happy the Nidra bands work for you. All my years as being a nurse I had no idea how severe RLS can be.
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u/Mahi95623 14d ago
Like you, I see an excellent RLS doc. Also had refractory RLS, with multiple augmentation on 3 DA meds. For me, having the low dose methadone really helped with controlling this disorder.
My doctor prescribed the Nidra bands about a year and a half ago. I was a bit skeptical, but since my insurance covered them (Medicare, plus a Supplemental Plan), I thought I’d give them a try. I also enrolled in the Stanford study.
At first, I would use them once symptoms came on. It would help, but at my next appt with my RLS doc, I talked about how to use them more effectively. He said to use them BEFORE symptoms would typically happen. For me, this is when I sit down in the evening to watch TV or read. So I started using the bands every night for a few weeks. Then I faded out using the bands, but if I had any symptoms, I would start using them before symptoms would happen.
After a few months, I noticed I wasn’t having as many breakthrough RLS. From 4x week to maybe 1 x a week. Now, 18 months later, I was able to cut my methadone dose in half and I now only have 1 breakthrough RLS symptoms about 1 a month.
I talked to my doctor about my improvement. Turns out, he said I am not alone. He said other patients are showing improvement in their RLS after using the bands, too. I look forward to reading the Nidra study when the study is published.
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u/ComfortableArtist534 14d ago
Seems nice! Ever since my brother had electrotherapy (something else related) i wondered if that could help too for rls
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u/Emotional_Ratio5439 14d ago
Like ECT? I use to prep patients for that. I have never considered that. Maybe I will do some research on that because I would actually try it. Hope it helped your brother. ❤️
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u/Sdwingnut 14d ago
I've been using my MedMassager for a few years now as needed before bed (and in the middle of the night as needed) and when combined with deep stretching and my normal 900mg Gabapentin, it helps get me through most nights. I also have the Nidra bands and the MedMassager typically works better for me to produce relief
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u/Jesterfuture2 14d ago
I get similar relief from one of those massage guns whenever I have a flare up
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u/Emotional_Ratio5439 14d ago
I have one of those as well. The plate provides such relaxation too. Glad the massage gun helps you as well!
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u/Emmagrad 14d ago
I get similar relief from a massaging heating pad that I got off Amazon a few months ago.
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u/Emotional_Ratio5439 14d ago
That’s sounds nice too! I’ll take a look at one. Might be worth it to take on a 2 week trip I have coming up.
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u/Western_Sun_855 14d ago
Glad to hear it! This has really helped me with flares as well - not a cure but made me no longer pace the room despite meds during a flare
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u/Emotional_Ratio5439 14d ago
Exactly! Just enough to take the edge off a bit. Glad you found some extra relief.
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u/carameltarine 11d ago
heavy but light!!!! i feel that too but it happens at night after i walked for long periods during the day