Do any hubbers know of alternative therapies for Restless Leg Syndrome?

1. 79

   Seeker7posted 13 years ago

   Do any hubbers know of alternative therapies for Restless Leg Syndrome?
   
   My cousin is being driven crazy by this distressing condition and her doctor has told her that she should consider taking medication used for Parkinson's Disease. But she is really interested in finding out if there are alternatives to drugs? Also, do any hubbers use or know of people who have their own therapies that help?

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2. 61

   RecipePublishingposted 13 years ago

   Yes Essential oil mixture of German Camille, basil and a little peppermint takes about 5 minutes to work just rub a few drops behind the knee. My husband has it bad as does my 7 year old and this really helps and is affordable and drug free.

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3. 60

   duffsmomposted 13 years ago

   I have known people who have had this syndrome and found it was caused by lower back trouble they were not aware of.   Nerves in the lower send signals down the legs.  I don't imagine this is the case for everyone - but worth a try to maybe see chiropractor.

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4. 58

   baygirl33posted 13 years ago

   Every night after you get in bed,lift both legs until they reach a 90 degree angle with your body.Keep them there while you gently massage up and down your leg.Don't forget the little hollows at your ankle.Run your finger up the center back of your calf.There is a hollow where the muscles meet.Rub behind your knee and around the kneecap.If you can,grab your foot and give it a little twist inward and hold. Run your fingers along the bones on the top of your foot.
   Doing this with warm oil makes it feel amazing! You can buy almond oil in the grocery store or just mix essential oil with olive oil.The essential oil smells great and the olive oil makes it easy to spread and it has lots of vitamins. Do this every night.
   Good luck!

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5. 94

   Daughter Of Maatposted 13 years ago

   Restless leg syndrome, or RLS, is a neurological disorder that can affect not only the legs, but also the arms, and/or torso. Amputees have been known to suffer this disorder as well. It is most commonly associated with iron deficiency, pregnancy, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, fibromyalgia and peripheral neuropathy.
   
   Several treatments have been found to alleviate the symptoms. Gapabentin (neurontin), dopamine agonists such as Requip, and opiate pain killers are the main prescription treatments.
   
   I personally suffer from RLS, and it started when I was pregnant and reoccurs occasionally, usually around a migraine. What really helps me is potassium, black cohosh and a pain med I take called ultram. Low levels of serotonin is what triggers my RLS, so anything that raises my serotonin alleviates the symptoms. Black cohosh and ultram both increase serotonin levels. I'm not sure why the potassium works, unless it has something to do with blood pressure.
   
   Hope that helps.

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6. 81

   stevesoposted 13 years ago

   I find that if I take magnesium supplements I don't have any symptoms.

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7. 88

   mistyhorizon2003posted 13 years ago

   Just a thought, but is she on Prozac for any reason, as this can cause the 'restless leg syndrome' and is one of the reasons I stopped taking it?
   
   I know she wants to avoid the drugs route, but if all else fails my Sister (who had a stroke when she was 28) was put on a drug called Baclofen for this reason, and it has been helpful to her (she is now 47). The only minus side is it puts you off drinking alcohol, which is why it is now being tested as a possible drug to prescribe to alcoholics.
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baclofen

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8. 81

   grandmapearlposted 13 years ago

   When I started taking Fenugreek for migraines, I found it automatically relieved RLS which seemed to accompany the migraine attacks at times.   Fenugreek is an herb which I found in a health food store.  It has no side effects, and I took it once a day for 2 months.  Haven't had any migraines or RLS since, and that was about 20 years ago.

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9. 79

   Seeker7posted 13 years ago

   Hi Misty - lovely to hear from you. I remember well your excellent hub on prosac and all the horrible effects it can have - when I was on it RLS was severe and I threw every last pill in the bucket. But to your question, Jackie - my cousin - isn't on prosac or any anti-depressants so at least we can rule that one out as a cause. I've heard of the drug baclofen but not for RLS - that's very interesting and thanks for the link I will have a look at that.
   
   I think my cousin, if all else fails, will go down the route of drug therapy if only to get a good night's sleep for once. But the more information she has about the different drugs that may help the more informed she can be about her choices.
   
   Many thanks again Misty and to everyone else who has responded - the answers are superb!

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10. 60

    Slightly Bonkersposted 13 years ago

    Hi Seeker7, my husband had different health issues however we do not want to take too much meds either. So he read up on omega 3+6 treatments. You can google it too as I cannot go into much detail here.
    However there were studies (in the US i believe) where one half of a group of pain sufferers got the usual medication (ibuprofen etc) and the other half got treated with an "overdose" of Omega 3+6. The "homoeopathic" group got relief much earlier without any sideffects. Maybe this helps for your friend

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