So I have had RLS for years now. If of course hits when I am tired, but more often it hits when I'm wide awake, not tired, and needing to concentrate on work. I work at a computer and so what I usually have to do is stand and work to releave it for a bit, sit, then stand. It's becoming a problem and now I'm a lovely joke at work (most of us wok in a big room together or people walk around in our room. Which I actually don't mind, we all tease each other about different things).
My mom also has RLS but only hits her at night and she takes meds but it makes her sleepy so I can't take those even if I wanted. So What I'm wondering what other people do? I am tempted to get an exercise balls and sit on it so I can roll around at let my legs wander that way (this was suggested to me by a friend). HELP!!
I used to have problems with RLS. Fortunately, I was a Chriropractic Assistant and had 3 doctors to help me. What they told me to do, was so simple. Magnesium, Iron and B-12!!! I had a pretty bad magnesium deficiency. (google it, it's actually very common in people with RLS.). It really made it better. I very rarely have problems anymore!!
I have had it for years. Was super unimpressed with my doctor's solution -- Dopamine. Seriously?
Regular exercise.
Massage
Limit caffeine
Increase potassium
Increase calcium
Increase iron
Avoid cold/allergies OTC meds if possible
Keep your feet warm (not sure about this one myself = )
If an exercise ball works - Go for it. It is the latest thing in ergonomics and productivity at many offices right now. For me, constant jittery movement makes RLS worse. I find more stretchering and moderate exercise (walking, running) work better.
RLS is not really a condition in and of itself, it is a symptom of adrenal fatigue (too much stress). Balancing the adrenal glands is the best way to combat this issue--there are lots and lots of natural remedies for this. At night valerian root works well for a lot of people. Adding b-complex and vitamin C supplements twice a day (before 3 pm) helps support the adrenal glands. Other herbs to consider are holy basil, chamomile, trace minerals, skullcap, and even phosphatidyl serine (PS). I had this problem for a long time but have been able to re-balance my adrenal glands and now no longer have the symptoms. Feel free to ask me more questions if this is a route that feels appropriate for you.
J.
Ellis and Bug are right. It is caused and exacerbated by a lack of nutrition, whether you are "taking" in nutrition or not you are not absorbing it. An absorbable multivitamin will help. If you don't know of one I can recommend one. Chiropractic care will help as well. Most people don't understand that chiropractic care will boost your immune system to fight off these types of things. A body detox will help too. The lack of absorption of nutrition is usually caused by toxicity in the body. We all have it from the processed foods we eat to the laundry detergent that absorbs into our skin...
Most doctors won't tell you this but RLS is not a disorder, it is simply a symptom of another problem. Once you identify that problem and take care of it the RLS will vanish...
God bless,
M.
If you haven't seen a doctor that specializes in it you should. My husband and mother in law both have it. There are many different medications that work for it and I'm sure your doctor could help you find one to take in the daytime that wouldn't make you sleepy.
My husband did have pretty good luck with ibuprofen before he went on other medications, but his is mostly at night.
Good luck finding which solution is right for you
mine acts up when I've had too much sugar...strethcing seems to help. Good luck!
I have had it ever since I was pregnant with my son (15 years ago) and the funny thing is, he has it too! What works for me: exericise-I have to keep moving throughout the day-so the more walking you can do at work the better. Also, what anthother person said about b vitamins is correct-take the b vitamins in the form of P-5-P. You can do a search on it-vitamin cottage etc.. will carry it. It really does help!
I've had it since I was a kid. It's always worse when I'm sleep deprived. It feels like spiders crawling under the skin of my thighs and I have to move to relieve it or my muscles will move without my permission. I hate it! It's worse when I'm pregnant, and I can't take my medication because nobody knows if it would be bad for the baby.
A few things that help: lots of sleep, multi-vitamins, regular exercise.
Good luck!
Please try this!!!! It sounds silly, but I promise it works.
Get a bar of soap (I used Dial), unwrap it and set it right next to your bare feet. If you are in bed, stick it right next to your feet under the covers. If you are at work, sit your feet on the floor or on a stool and set the soap right next to your feet. I don't know why, but it works. I heard about this in a newspaper article years ago. It worked for me, so hopefully it will work for others. I suggested it to another lady on here a few months back and it worked for her too.
Please let me know if it helps!
I have recently heard that RLS is a lower back adjustment issue. Have you gone to a chiropractor? You may find relief so much easier with a simple adjustment. You may have to go a few times because your muscles are already working in a particular way. They need to be retrained to hold your alignment properly in place.
I have found that a multi vitamin and a Refresh Fuze (Fuze is the brand name- they have several types, the refresh ones are the ones that work for me) kicks it right out. I wait until my legs start to ache then I take my vitamin with the Fuze. I found out the Fuze thing a couple of months into this pregnancy (RLS gets way worse durring pregnancy and you can't take any of the medications for it while pregnant) and it used to be if I just drank one about every other day and didn't miss my daily vitamin I was fine- as it's gotten worse I have to take it later in the evening and have one every day
also stay away from caffine and processed meats (hot dogs and such) the nitrates in them will set you off.
In case you don't know, RLS can be a sign of high iron in your blood (quite dangerous and not tested routinely by doctors) or it can be low iron. Good luck!
