Restless legs syndrome (RLS) was described in the middle of the last century by the famous neurologist from Sweden, Karl Axel Ekbom. However, despite the fact that this disease has been studied for a long time, few people still know about it today. For this reason, patients rarely seek medical help and attribute everything to banal leg fatigue.
However, this problem is quite common. Statistics show that 10-25% of the world's population have signs of RLS. Although the disease can occur at any age, it most often affects middle-aged and elderly patients, as well as pregnant women. There is also data according to which female patients are 1.5 times more likely to encounter this pathology.
Restless legs syndrome
RLS is divided into the following types based on the type of manifestation.
Children's RLS . It is often mistakenly called “growing pains.” It is assumed that pathology at this age occurs due to insufficient attention from parents, as well as some psychological disorders. Unfortunately, this form of the disease often progresses with age.
RLS for pregnant women . According to statistics, 15-30% of pregnant women suffer from this disorder. It appears in the third trimester and goes away on its own after childbirth. It is worth saying that RLS caused by pathological reasons can be transmitted from mother to child. To avoid this, you need to seek help from doctors.
Idiopathic RLS . This is the primary form of the disease. That is, it occurs in the first 30 years of a person’s life, and it is not caused by any unfavorable factors. Unlike the secondary form, the primary form is not combined with various neurological disorders and is associated with inheritance of a certain type of gene from parents.
Doctors include the most common causes of restless legs syndrome:
Coffee leads to RLS
RLS is also often a side effect of certain medications (usually antidepressants, seizure medications, antihistamines, and anti-vomiting and hypertension medications). In more rare cases, abuse of drinks that contain caffeine can lead to this phenomenon.
The presence of restless legs syndrome in a patient can be determined by characteristic signs.
Strange sensations in the legs . Patients describe this condition in different ways. Some people talk about burning and trembling, while others have a feeling of moving, twitching or crawling. About 30% of patients complain of pain during an attack. The localization of unpleasant sensations is also always different.
For example, a person may experience a tingling sensation in the thigh area, and after a few seconds, they may feel a tingling sensation in the area of the feet. It is noteworthy that this discomfort does not occur constantly and is wave-like in nature. It lasts, as a rule, from 5 to 30 seconds. Most often attacks occur at night.
Increased discomfort at rest. Moreover, it manifests itself especially strongly during falling asleep. It is worth saying that different people need different amounts of time for the onset of an attack. For some, characteristic symptoms of the disease appear after 5 minutes of rest, and for others only after an hour.
When performing any movements, the discomfort disappears. The more the patient moves, the easier it will become for him. Sometimes in this case the discomfort disappears completely. Walking, bending and jumping help best. However, this depends on the individual characteristics of the human body. Unfortunately, physical activity provides only temporary relief. During rest, all symptoms return. And sometimes with even greater force.
RLS attacks most often occur at night
The cycadal nature of the disease. Usually, the unpleasant symptoms of RLS do not bother a person in the morning and early afternoon. A noticeable deterioration in the situation is observed from approximately 17.00 to 05.00. Even in the most advanced cases, patients feel relief in the morning.
Involuntary leg movements during sleep . The interval of this phenomenon ranges from 5 to 40 seconds. This is a very common symptom of RLS. According to statistics, up to 90% of patients complain about it. In severe cases, a person may experience involuntary leg movements throughout the night.
Insomnia. Unpleasant manifestations of RLS often prevent patients from falling asleep. Even if they manage to do this, they will still wake up after 2-3 hours. If the pathology is left to chance, insomnia can become chronic.
Despite the fact that the symptoms of RLS are quite pronounced, doctors still conduct a thorough diagnosis to confirm the diagnosis. This is necessary, first of all, to identify the underlying disease that provoked the pathological process.
The essence of diagnosing RLS is to perform a general (allows you to find out the level of hemoglobin in the blood) and a biochemical blood test (shows the amount of hormones, vitamins and minerals), as well as polysomnography (to study the strength of involuntary movements of the legs during sleep).
To assess the condition of the kidneys, the Rehberg test is performed. It is also advisable to perform an ultrasound scan to assess the nature of blood flow in the legs. It is mandatory to carefully collect the medical history of the patient and his family.
When diagnosing, it is extremely important to distinguish RLS from various types of vascular pathologies, joint inflammation, and anxiety conditions.
Under no circumstances should you self-diagnose or self-medicate this pathology. Only a qualified specialist knows the causes and treatment of RLS reliably.
The essence of treatment for RLS is to eliminate the underlying disease that provoked the development of this pathology. For example, in case of endocrine disorders, this will be taking hormonal medications, in case of low hemoglobin - the use of vitamin-mineral complexes with iron in the composition, in case of poisoning with toxic substances - detoxification of the body, etc.
As a symptomatic treatment, patients can use the drugs given below.
Sleeping pills in combination with anxiolytics. These medications have a positive effect only in mild cases of pathology. Most often, doctors prescribe Rivotril, Temazepam and Zolpidem in small doses. The disadvantages of this treatment include addiction.
Dopamines. These drugs have a dopaminergic effect, so the patient can get good results in a short period of time. The most effective medicine from this group today is Sinemet.
For it to have a therapeutic effect, it is enough to take a minimal dose. As a rule, after consuming it, symptoms weaken within half an hour. Moreover, this effect lasts for at least 3 hours. If the symptoms of RLS do not bother a person constantly, but only from time to time, then the drug can be taken only as needed.
If Sinemet was taken during an attack, and at night the symptoms of the disease return again, the patient can take another dose of the drug. If desired, the medicine can also be used for prophylactic purposes. However, in this case, the person must refuse to perform work that requires a quick reaction. Unfortunately, with prolonged use of Sinemet, the body can get used to the medicine.
As a result, he will stop reacting to it in any way, and the symptoms of the disease will become much more pronounced. That is why, before purchasing this product, it is necessary to consult a doctor and calculate the ideal dose of the drug and the duration of the therapeutic course. Side effects of Sinemet include disruption of the gastrointestinal tract and migraine.
When the body gets used to this medicine, doctors recommend switching to another dopaminergic drug. For example, on Permax (Pergolide). Some experts even believe that it is much more effective than Sinemet. In addition, it extremely rarely causes side effects and has no addictive effect.
Mirapex also performed well in the treatment of RLS. This medicine stimulates the body's production of dopamine and increases the sensitivity of receptors to it. The drug is completely absorbed into the blood 1-2 hours after use. Has a very fast effect.
It is most often used for idiopathic RLS. Before treatment with Mirapex, the patient should consult a doctor, since this drug has a huge number of side effects and contraindications.
Anticonvulsants (anticonvulsants). They must be included in the comprehensive treatment of RLS. As practice has shown, Gabpentin and Carbamazepine provide the greatest effect in the treatment of restless legs syndrome. When using these drugs, it is very important that the patient strictly adheres to the dosage recommended by the doctor.
Opiates. Drugs in this group are prescribed only for very severe cases of the disease. The most commonly recommended medications in this case are Codeine, Methadone, or Oxycodone. The dosage of medications is selected individually by the attending physician.
If it is followed, a person will be able to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of the pathology for a long time without drug dependence. Unfortunately, when taking opiates, patients often experience side effects, including nausea, impaired consciousness, and dizziness.
Medicines that contain beta-blockers. These are analgesics that do not belong to the narcotic group. They have a composition close to antidepressants. It is worth saying that these funds are not prescribed in every case. This is primarily due to the fact that they affect different people differently.
And if in one patient they can significantly improve well-being, then in another they will cause the disease to worsen. The use of beta-blockers is considered only in situations where other medications no longer help.
It is very important to realize that RLS is a disease, which means that patients simply need to be treated. Under no circumstances should the course of pathology be left to chance. Qualified specialists will help eliminate the pathology once and for all, or, in extreme cases, reduce its symptoms.
To improve the results of traditional RLS treatment at home, you can do all of the following:
Light exercise can help relieve symptoms of RLS
In addition to drug treatment for RLS, doctors often prescribe various physical therapy procedures.
Magnetotherapy. The essence of this treatment method is the effect of magnetic fields on the legs. Thus, it has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effect.
Treatment with mud. During this procedure, the doctor smears the patient's feet with healing mud. This leads to increased blood circulation and improved metabolism.
Lymphopressotherapy is a procedure in which a doctor uses a special device to apply pressure to the lymphatic system. This increases the tone of the veins of the lower extremities and improves metabolism.
Darsonvalizaya. In this case, a specialist uses a special device to apply a high-frequency current to the patient’s legs.
With idiopathic restless legs syndrome, as a rule, there is an increase in symptoms over time. However, the course of the pathology will not always be uniform. In many patients, exacerbations alternate with remissions. Moreover, the latter can sometimes last for years.
As for RLS caused by any disease, the prognosis depends entirely on the course of the underlying disease. If it is completely cured, the unpleasant symptoms may disappear forever.
Prevention of RLS involves timely treatment of diseases of internal organs and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
From a conversation with Doctor of Medical Sciences Kadykov A.S.
For every fifth person suffering from insomnia, the cause of sleep disturbance is discomfort in the lower extremities. It is not pain, nor itching, nor numbness. When examining such a person, no pathologies are found; the joints, blood vessels are all fine. And mentally the person is healthy. Therefore, RLS is diagnosed quite rarely, although it occurs frequently. Apart from unpleasant sensations during sleep, patients have nothing to complain about, which is why they do not go to doctors.
The disease begins to appear after 40-50 years, and the number of patients increases with age. Women get sick more often than men by 50%.
From a conversation with Doctor of Medical Sciences Buzunov R.V.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disease, the symptoms of which are discomfort in the lower extremities. There is no pain, but there is a burning sensation, tingling, goosebumps, pressure, twitching - all this forces the patient to constantly move his legs or walk, because with movement these symptoms weaken. Symptoms intensify in the evening and subside in the morning. At the same time, a person cannot sleep normally; the disease greatly exhausts the nervous system.
In approximately 30% of patients, the disease is defined as a hereditary disease. This is the primary RLS.
Secondary syndrome develops when there is a lack of iron in the body, against the background of kidney failure, spinal injuries, diabetes, etc. - in this case, the underlying disease must be treated.
Primary RLS is associated with biochemical processes in the brain, in particular with a lack of dopamine, a substance that regulates motor activity.
Doctors often find it difficult to determine the diagnosis, mistakenly linking the disease with pathology of the veins and joints, and prescribing the wrong treatment. Therefore, the patient must describe in detail to the doctor the symptoms and nature of the discomfort.
The causes of restless legs syndrome are not well understood, and sometimes the condition is inherited.
Diabetes mellitus, renal failure, hypothyroidism, anemia, and Parkinson's disease contribute to its development, but these diseases are not the root cause.
RLS can be caused by certain medications, such as antipsychotics and lithium.
What medications can treat restless legs syndrome? How to soothe your feet?
Medicines that treat Parkinson's disease and epileptic seizures (mirapex, madopar, nacom, clonazepam) are recommended. If these drugs are given before bedtime in a small dose, the patient sleeps peacefully until the morning. These medications do not cure RLS, but only relieve symptoms, so they must be taken continuously. You shouldn’t be afraid of this, because for Parkinson’s disease, medications are also taken for life, and there is no harm from them. And patients with RLS take the medicine in minimal doses and only once a day.
It is much more dangerous to take sleeping pills. In addition, if you take medications that relieve the symptoms of RLS, you won’t need sleeping pills. It is not recommended to take 2-3 medications, because a person will not be able to understand what made him feel better and what made him worse. And if the patient still takes sleeping pills, then herbal remedies that calm the nervous system are more useful: infusions of valerian, motherwort, St. John's wort or ready-made herbal preparations, for example, “Novo-Passit”.
To sleep soundly, you need to get a massage before going to bed. It is better to use massagers, manual or mechanical, needle or roller. Everyone must choose the device individually. You can simply massage your feet and legs with a rich cream.
Feet with RLS prefer warmth; in cold weather the disease intensifies.
Until recently, RLS was treated with tranquilizers, and in severe cases with narcotic drugs, they alleviated the symptoms, but there were more side effects than benefits. Now there are stimulants of dopamine receptors in the brain, one of them is the drug mirapex, which in minimal doses will almost 100% help cure this disease. For Parkinson's disease, this drug is taken 3 tablets per day. Mirapex for restless legs syndrome, take 1/4-1/2 tablets once a day before bedtime. The results of treatment become noticeable almost on the very first night - patients begin to sleep peacefully.
What to do if a person wakes up at night from RLS?
You can walk around or hold your feet under running warm water, but then you can completely drive away sleep. It's better to sit on the bed and massage your feet.
For mild forms of RLS, distraction therapy is possible - intense rubbing, foot baths with cold or hot water, exercises before bed.
Do not take sleeping pills, it is better to drink valerian, motherwort, St. John's wort in the form of alcohol tincture or tea before going to bed. (source: ZOZH 2009, No. 22, p. 23).
The woman's legs had been bothering her for a long time. I once read in the newspaper what drug helps with this scourge. I went to buy it at the pharmacy, but it turned out to be very expensive and had many contraindications. I decided to endure it further.
Once a woman injured her knee joint, it began to hurt very much. Friends advised me to tie horseradish leaves to the joint. But wearing a compress all the time was inconvenient. Then the woman decided to make a tincture based on horseradish; she steeped the crushed roots and leaves of horseradish in moonshine for 4 days. And she began to rub her legs with this tincture, from her feet to her knees. Soon she noticed that her legs no longer bothered her - she went to bed and immediately fell asleep, not paying attention to her legs. I realized that I had invented my own folk remedy for restless leg syndrome. I recommended this product to my friends, and it helped them too. (source: newspaper “Vestnik ZOZH” 2011, No. 19 p. 33).
The woman began to notice that her legs began to “dance” in the evenings. I found out that the cause of this (BN syndrome) is diabetes mellitus, varicose veins or increased nervous excitability. She didn’t have the first two illnesses, so she decided to strengthen her nerves.
At the pharmacy I bought 100 ml of tinctures of hawthorn, valerian, motherwort, peony, 50 ml of eucalyptus tincture, 25 ml of mint tincture. I mixed all this and added 10 pcs. carnations. I insisted for 1 week in a dark place.
Before going to bed, I doused my limbs with either cold or hot water. Then she drank 20 g of the tincture mixture and went to bed. Before going to bed, I pulled my legs with my heels forward and my toes towards me 5 times with each leg. My legs liked it and stopped twitching. (source: ZOZH 2012, No. 14 p. 33).
The woman suffered from restless legs syndrome for a long time, did not sleep many nights, tried a bunch of remedies: walking in the snow, rubbing alcohol, but nothing helped.
I started wearing sheep wool socks and felt boots on my bare feet. At first the fur “bite”, but then it even became pleasant. After some time, I began to notice that my sleep had improved. (source: ZOZH 2012, No. 23 p. 33).
An 83-year-old woman tried to treat RLS for many years. Doctors prescribed injections and ointments, but they did not help. The pain doesn’t seem to be severe, but it’s impossible to sleep. In addition, there were also convulsions.
Once a woman read in a healthy lifestyle that a Kuznetsov applicator helps cure cramps. I started standing on it before going to bed, for 15-20 minutes with each leg. I completely got rid of cramps, and at the same time cured restless legs syndrome with the Kuznetsov applicator. (source: ZOZH 2012, No. 5 p. 9-10).
The Japanese avoid RLS by doing a daily stick massage of the sole. When the woman read about this, she decided to use this method. But I was too lazy to get a massage every day. When illness prevents her from sleeping, the woman sits on the bed and gives 100 blows to each sole with a wooden stick. After which he soon falls asleep. (source: ZOZH 2010, No. 2 p. 31).
Treating restless legs syndrome with exercise.
The woman suffered from RLS for several years. The illness forced me to get out of bed in the middle of the night and walk until exhaustion. The pain bothered me so much that I couldn’t sit, stand, or lie down for a long time; I had to move all the time.
In addition to RLS, there was severe pain in the knees. I decided to treat my knees using Dr. Bubnovsky’s method. Every day I walked on my knees, wrapping them in rags with crushed ice, and doused my feet with cold water after a shower. The pain in my knees went away, the veins tightened, the restlessness in my legs went away, and I began to sleep peacefully.
The problem was in microcirculation of blood through the vessels, and both the lower leg and foot were poorly supplied with blood. The result was stagnation of blood, especially at rest. I had to constantly move my legs to restore circulation. With the help of exercises, the woman managed to restore blood circulation, and the disease went away. (source: ZOZH 2013, No. 9 p. 30).
To prevent your legs from bothering you at night, moderate exercise and walks are recommended in the evening. It is better to give up strong tea and coffee and not to overeat at night. If the disease is accompanied by iron deficiency anemia, you need to increase the proportion of iron-rich foods in your diet: beef, lentils, buckwheat, peas, pomegranates, pistachios. (source: ZOZH 2012, No. 21 p. 6-7).
The woman immediately bought Miraplex and soothing tea. I took 1/4 tablet before bed. After a week, my sleep improved. (HLS 2010, No. 2, p. 17).
Mirapex helps treat restless legs syndrome! But you have to increase the dose! No one in my family had this disease! Now I am already taking 2 tablets of 0.25 mg each. This, I think, is not a way out!
I had the same problems. And by chance I discovered that Sustatin Balm (Astin) helps. I started massaging my legs from top to bottom before going to bed. After 5-10 minutes I calmly fall asleep. Sometimes you have to repeat it at night, but it definitely helps.
It runs in the family. I have been suffering for 55 years, I don’t sleep. I am 64 years old. I feel sorry for the children - they have the same thing. Mom needs about 5 tablets a day.
Tell me, which doctor treats RLS?
Olga - I think you should contact a neurologist.
I have this hereditary disease, I have been ill since I was 12 years old, I have been receiving treatment for 6 years. During this time, the dose of miropex increased to 1.5 mg. What's next?
I am 75 years old, the problem began 30-35 years ago. Rarely at first, more often over time. Now every day. Especially in the afternoon and worse in the evening, closer to bedtime. At first, and for quite a long time, massage with an ebonite circle helped. Now I take Madopar at night (levodopa 100 mg + benserazit 25 mg). At first 1 capsule helped - now, in the evening - 3 capsules, I wake up in the morning, 1 more capsule. But I still have to walk—I walk on my heels, counting to 300, and then on my toes, counting to 200.
But over time the situation gets worse! What will happen next is scary to think about.
The following folk remedies helped me cure restless legs syndrome:
1) exercises before bed (Kuznetsov applicator, rolling pin).
2) before going to bed, I deeply inhale valerian tincture and drink 25-30 drops.
I've already drunk one bottle. I sleep at night, nothing bothers me. If I wake up to use the toilet, I sniff valerian again. Give it a try. Maybe I have the beginning stages of RLS?
RLS is hereditary. Now I am 59. Merapex and many other drugs do not help. The only thing that helps and which I intuitively came to myself. This happens several times a night, and if necessary during the day, I get up and hold one leg (if one is twisting) or both under a stream of ice water, then I wrap it tightly with a wet linen scarf. This is how I’ve been “sleeping” intermittently for about 50 years. I’ve been to the doctors. My complaints made me smile. I am constantly looking on the Internet for some new remedies for this debilitating disease, but, unfortunately, there is nothing yet. The same is written by people on forums who actually have this disease.
I am 62 years old, my legs have been “twisting” since I was 40 years old. Lately, especially at night, the condition has been unbearable. I walk all night long. The tests are all normal, I went through a “bunch” of examinations. The last resort - I turned to a neurologist with extensive experience, recommended the drug Tebantin, today I took the first capsule, I don’t know what the result will be.
I took this drug - it’s useless, it twists the ankle and knee joints, I tried all the recommendations - it doesn’t help!
I have been suffering since I was 25 years old. Now I’m 65. For a long time I didn’t know what it was until I read it on the Internet. At first, half a tablet of Mirapex helped, then a tablet, now I’m climbing the wall. The sensations of twitching, fullness, cramps, aching pain at night are unbearable. First at points on the knees and in the outer ankles (12 cm higher), now in other places. Last year I underwent laser treatment and there was relief. I am constantly treated with Almag - it’s a little easier. Ointments, tinctures of dandelions, lilacs, Indian onions, potato sprouts, Ebonite, rolling pins, foot and ankle exercises help temporarily. What else? Ultrasound of the vessels is excellent. I want to try leeches. People, help.
I have suffered from RLS since I was 3 years old, now I am 50 years old. I went to doctors, they don’t understand me when I explain that it’s not pain, but I can’t explain what it is. The solution I found was to put a weight on my feet or ask someone from the household to sit on top. I lie down on my side and the “weight” sits below my knees (lower joints) until my legs go numb. Everything passes.
I have had this problem for a long time since I was a child. From time to time my leg bothered me. Lately, more and more often, then every night, my fingers were shaking, I stood up, massaged and did everything but nothing helped. I was so exhausted and couldn't sleep. I can't explain this condition. It’s as if something is pulling my leg from the inside, itching, and there’s a terribly unpleasant feeling inside. For a long time I went to a wide variety of doctors, but no one could help me, putting forward a wide variety of versions. One day, luckily for me, I ended up with a neurology professor. I repeat once again if ONLY one leg twitches. After examinations, it was concluded that this was a neuroinfection (presumably a mild form of tick-borne encephalitis in childhood), which affects a bundle of nerves and gives such a reaction. The following treatment was prescribed:
1) Cortexin 1.0 intramuscularly 1 injection 10 days,
2) then Magne B6 1 t 2 times a day for 20 days
3) Afabazole 1 tablet 2 times a day for 1 month, then 2 months, 1 tablet.
Afabazole should be taken from the first day of treatment together with Cortekisn and then according to the regimen indicated above.
It helped me, maybe it will help someone else, I suffered from this for a long time, so I want to help. Not everyone can get to a competent specialist. Thanks to this doctor, otherwise I was already in despair. Be healthy. All these drugs are not harmful even to an ordinary person, afabozole is a sedative, Magne B 6 vitamins and minerals, and Cortexin improves cerebral circulation.
I’m 78 years old, I’ve been suffering from RLS for about 20 years, they suggested leech treatment, maybe someone took it, was there any result?
RLS was diagnosed 15 years ago. Since then I have been taking Mirapex, 1 tablet (1 mg) at night. If you forgot, it’s a night of torment, without sleep. Sensation: every 20-30 seconds the foot is pierced by an electric current. I'm not saying it's email. current, but that’s the feeling. The neurologist prescribed Pramipexole. Supposedly this is a synonym for Mirapex. But, alas, sleepless nights again... We need to look for Mirapex and take higher doses. Anyone who has a similar disease will understand me. Or maybe there are already new modern ways to treat this disease? Share!
I have had restless legs syndrome for a long time, since I was 40, but periodically. Lately I haven’t slept at all at night, and then I walk around sick. I tried a lot of things, was treated by a neurologist, all without results. One of my remedies for getting enough sleep was to warm my feet in hot water, massage them, put on simple knee socks, and so I could sleep peacefully all night. It’s hard for me to massage my legs, it’s hard to bend over. Now I’ve come up with another way: before going to bed, I massage my legs with a brush with a long handle (it says brush for washing the back), just like that, without cream, and go straight to bed. My legs don't bother me at all all night. Maybe this also coincided with the fact that I am now treating anemia and my iron levels have increased. But it's worth a try. I had this torment before, when I didn’t have anemia. I wish everyone recovery.
RLS has kept me alive for 15 years, the doctors started it, although at the initial stage it could even be cured. They treated chondrosis and reduced it to disability, now I sit at home more and more and suffer from tears, especially at night. Life is not nice and you don’t want to live, doctors don’t treat, they serve.
At first Mirapex 025 g helped, now I take 1 g and it doesn’t help, what should I do?
Gentlemen, I read your comments and even felt sorry for you. Woolen socks on bare feet help me a lot, with regular socks on top to keep it tight, and of course working out in the gym has a 100% positive effect
How I sympathize with you all. Mom suffered from this disease. It was so painful to watch her suffer.
This disease is hereditary for me: my mother developed it around the age of 30, and for me it started when I was 12. I remember how my grandmother rubbed and massaged her hands all her life... We all initially have a severe form of the syndrome, when symptoms appear at any time. time of day, and he jerks not only his legs, but also his arms - at this moment it seems that he is pulling and breaking his whole body. Even a short trip in transport is always a difficult ordeal, an uncomfortable chair at work, the slightest feeling of stiffness, immobility in an uncomfortable position, a heavy object on your knees - and it starts again... Not a single doctor ever took my mother’s complaints seriously, and I didn’t even try to contact on this occasion. So, they endured it all their lives, somehow overcoming it. If at the same time I mentioned these problems at an appointment with a surgeon or women's doctor, they usually told me - what do you want, you have superficial varicose veins (asterisks, this is also family), wear tights from morning to evening. You need to put them on right in bed, without getting up, before doing this, keeping your legs raised on the wall for 15 minutes, and after that, smearing cream against varicose veins - and putting on rubber gloves, slowly and carefully pull on these compressions so that the pressure is uniform... This is such a whole morning a ritual that probably only a person who doesn’t work, lives alone and doesn’t want to sleep in the morning can afford. I can't do it at all, because... when there is a small child in the family, he will not wait for you to lie down with your legs raised, lubricate yourself, and put on tights. In the heat it’s hard to wear them, and every evening they still need to be washed so that the compression does not disappear - and so on for years. My mother also somehow does not gravitate towards this complex ritual, so I don’t know whether wearing compression stockings helps with RLS or not. But maybe someone should try wearing at least compression socks or stockings at night, having previously achieved blood flow by raising their heels on the wall, if RLS only appears before bed - what if this is your option?
Before I had my baby, the symptoms were more likely to occur when I was sitting with my feet on the floor, but as soon as I put my feet on something so that my feet were level with or above my hips, my legs calmed down. After giving birth, this stopped helping - now it drags in any position, I partly attribute this to worsening blood circulation. Sometimes only one leg is pulled, sometimes both are pulled at once, and the worst thing is when the legs are together with the arms, and it is impossible to lie or sit when you walk - the arms still pull. For myself, I have found the only way to deal with this phenomenon, when, for example, I have to travel for a long time in a car or bus and it is impossible to move: I put my toes on my toes, straining my leg muscles with all my might - the shin, calf and thigh muscles, everything that I can You can strain it - and I hold it in maximum compression, as much as I can withstand. Same with my arms - I tense all the muscles. Then I relax - a short rest - and tense again, tension in this way lasts much longer than relaxation, so the spasm, which at first drags on even in tension, then does not have time to develop. In this way, I managed several times to overcome even very severe long-term twitching (three hours in the back seat of a car in a slowly crawling traffic jam, I couldn’t straighten my legs, I couldn’t get out) - after alternating tension and relaxation, at some point all the symptoms simply disappear and nothing else worries. I don't know if this method will help others, but these actions clearly improve venous outflow and blood circulation. Maybe it will be useful to someone - someone whose RLS has the same shape as mine. To get out of despair, any reed will not be superfluous.
At night I put a piece of toilet soap in my cotton socks. The coldness of the soap soothes and sleep sets in. I have been suffering from RLS since I was 5-7 years old, now I am 65 years old, i.e. all life. Sometimes I put plastic bags with cold wet rags in my socks and go to bed. Or I put a cold heating pad on my feet. The medications have a temporary effect, I had to increase the doses, I developed a psychological dependence on them and anxiety about acquiring them. I realized a long time ago that the medicinal path is a path doomed to temporary success. It’s better when I constantly take homemade, not store-bought apples. Lack of iron in the brain - not in the blood - is one of the main causes of RLS. Increase your iron levels (test: ferritin). It will become easier. Good luck everyone!
one injection of tromadol and two tablets of clonozepam - previously half a tablet of tromadol was enough - over time the dose has increased - injections of tromadol have a stronger effect - I take clonozepam to avoid becoming a drug addict - if I take large doses of tromadol - there is no addiction to tramadol - I have been taking it for more than 10 years - other drugs don't bring results
This is not a disease, it’s just an infection, my husband has had this disease for half a year, and he is only 29, it’s scary to think what will happen next. Every night I give him a foot massage and hold his legs so that they don’t dance so that he falls asleep, and when he falls into a deep sleep then I lie down, in short, horror in reality, I pray to God to help. Doctors say that you need to rub your feet with lemon, sleep in cotton socks and have sex more often if possible, because a large release of endorphins helps fight this disease. Well, let's try everything that was suggested.
Many people write about the syndrome, which is true. but you can’t immediately determine that it’s a lie. Doctors suggest mirapex. Of course, this drug soothes the legs, but the professors from Barvikha are silent about the fact that the dose will have to be increased periodically. After a while it will stop working altogether. And mirapex will give you impotence, heart failure and 15 other diseases. You don't even know. here's mirapex. Decide what to do
RLS can be treated successfully. 32 years of experience. After treatment, stable remission for 5 years
Happy New Year everyone! 5 years ago I was treated at the center by Sergei Ivanovich. I am very pleased with the treatment. I forgot my suffering, I live a full life! I understand the suffering and aspirations of forum members. I would like to wish you all good health, patience, and never lose heart in the New Year. You are all worthy of respect and support. Those who have not lived through this nightmare will not understand! Good luck!
Elena, can you tell me where your doctor sees you? I have the same problem. How does he treat? Folk remedies or medicine?
I consider it my duty to share the results of treatment for RLS. Last February, I had suicidal thoughts, my legs took on a life of their own, there was practically no sleep, etc. I tried everything except Mirapex, but I was ready to drink that too. Side effects and reviews about it scared me. It's been the third month since my legs don't twitch at night, they don't twitch at all. I didn’t even understand when it happened, I just didn’t sleep one day (insomnia) and I understand that my legs are silent. I think this happened because of the soda, which I started drinking for a completely different reason. And now this reason is gone, and my legs don’t bother me. I learned about soda on YouTube. I write wherever they write about RLS. Believe me!
I visit various forums very often. And I can say with complete confidence - a huge number of visitors to Pustozvona. As a person who has gotten rid of this nightmare, I don’t understand how you can read the comments and not pay attention to them. After all, they offer real help there.
watch on YouTube the topic of restless legs syndrome a new look
Restless legs syndrome can affect people at any age. The disease begins to manifest itself after midnight in the form of severe pain and a burning sensation.
To get rid of pain, the patient must get up and start moving. But this state of affairs leads to severe disruption in the body, fatigue and apathy due to lack of normal sleep. Timely treatment of the disease will help avoid the development of insomnia and serious pathologies in the body due to the constant inability to sleep soundly.
It should be used in the form of oil . To prepare the medicine, add 150 ml of vegetable oil, it is better to take olive oil, add 45 g of good bay leaf . The container should be tightly sealed and allowed to brew for one week. Thereafter, use this medication once daily before going to bed. The course of treatment is applied until complete recovery and another week for consolidation after the disappearance of all symptoms.
A golden mustache will help against restless legs. You need to buy it at the pharmacy, and be sure to pay attention to the fact that the purchased infusion is concentrated . Before going to bed, after taking a warm bath, rub your feet with the concentrate and immediately go to bed. The medicine should be used until complete recovery. Take with caution for people with heart problems , as the golden mustache warms the blood.
It is also used as a rub . Be sure to take a contrast shower before using apple cider vinegar to enhance the effect of using the product. The wipes should be used once a day before going to bed.
To reduce symptoms, you should start squatting . It is important that squats are performed without any additional load and in the correct pattern, when the knees do not go beyond the level of the fingers when bending the knees. It is enough to do 10 squats five times a day . After squats, be sure to stretch your legs so that the muscles warm up and do not require warming up at night.
To ensure that your legs do not require stress at night and your muscles are sufficiently warmed up, it is worth driving about five kilometers every day. At the same time, before going to bed, it is important to use additional rubbing or bay oil so that the effect of treatment is achieved as soon as possible. You should make cycling a habit , be sure to travel at least several kilometers even after all symptoms disappear.
One of the causes of restless legs syndrome is low iron levels . To restore it, you need to take iron-containing medications and eat appropriate foods. You can take the drug in the form of individual or complex vitamins. Regardless of the brand chosen, only one dose of iron is usually needed. During such therapy, you should not eat foods that are too fatty or fermentable, as there is a high risk of constipation .
Low calcium levels may also contribute to the syndrome. Consult with your doctor which dosage is right for you, as it is worth taking into account the patient’s entire medical history. Usually one tablet is taken. For better absorption, it is worth taking calcium along with vitamin D so that the therapeutic effect occurs in the first days of using the drug.
Before going to bed, fill the bathtub or basin with cool water so that you can soak your feet up to your ankles. The water should not be too cold so as not to provoke a cold. Sit in the bathroom for 7-10 minutes, then put on warm socks and go straight to bed. It is worth taking such baths for one week. If there is no improvement within three days , the course of treatment should be interrupted.
It should be taken in courses; usually a woman takes two courses of tablets during pregnancy. But if restless legs syndrome begins to bother her, repeated therapy . The usual dosage in this case is two tablets three times a day , but the exact dose should be checked with your gynecologist, since the entire medical history of the patient must be taken into account.
These safe sedatives can help you relax and normalize your muscles, relieving them of excessive tension. It is worth taking sedatives in courses so as not to provoke addiction.
You need to massage your feet throughout the day and always just before going to bed. Start the massage with your fingers , paying attention to each phalanx. After this, rub your foot and gradually move up, ending the massage by massaging your knee. During the procedure, you can use laurel oil, which will only enhance the results of the sessions. Perform the procedures for as many days as treatment is required.
a contrast shower twice a day . It will help relieve pain at night and reduce the likelihood of cramps. When taking a contrast shower, do not make the cold water ice-cold; it is better to turn it on very hot and warm. You should be careful with this method of treatment if you have uterine tone . Rapid changes in water temperature can trigger uterine contractions.
If the therapy you choose does not bring the desired result, you should contact your doctor to prescribe complex therapy . The patient may need to be hospitalized and undergo a detailed examination to determine the exact cause of the disease. During pregnancy, any folk remedy or medicine should be taken only with the permission of the attending physician.
Treatment of restless legs syndrome is possible with the help of medicine or folk remedies. Let's consider both of these methods, and you can choose the most suitable one for yourself.
Read more about restless legs syndrome and the causes of this phenomenon in our article: Restless legs syndrome as a cause of insomnia
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), in itself, is not dangerous to human health, but it can be a signal of serious diseases in the body and cause discomfort. Therefore, first of all, you should try to relieve symptoms and discomfort at home. If this does not help, you need to contact a specialist so that he can conduct a thorough diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.
— A walk before bed will give a light load on the whole body and on the legs, which will help relieve unpleasant symptoms.
— If discomfort appears after you lie down, get up and walk around the room or apartment a little. Or you can do a few exercises directly in bed - move your legs back and forth for a few minutes;
- Find the body position in which there is minimal or no discomfort;
— Try to limit fatty and too salty foods before bed;
— For RLS, a contrast shower or a warm or cold bath, whichever you prefer, helps a lot;
— Taking dietary supplements will help compensate for the lack of vitamins in the body, which is one of the causes of discomfort in the legs;
— Try using aromatherapy or other relaxation methods: massage, meditation, etc.;
Acupressure for insomnia, when used correctly, can help cope with the problem without medications and additional expenses. On the…
Not only meditation before bedtime, but also at any convenient time: during lunch break,…
Hypnosis for insomnia is a safe method that does not require the use of medications. It has been practiced for more than three thousand years...
— You can self-massage your feet before bed with various oils for 5-10 minutes;
- Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol in the afternoon;
— Smoking is also a possible cause of restless legs syndrome, so it is better to give up this harmful habit;
— Some medications or sleeping pills may have side effects that cause RLS. Carefully re-read the instructions or contact your doctor to prescribe a different drug.
— Try rubbing lemon or lime juice on your feet. It relieves tension and reduces unpleasant symptoms. Or add lemon juice to foot baths before bed;
- Eat apples or drink apple juice regularly throughout the day. They will replenish the supply of dopamine in the body, the lack of which can cause RLS;
— Rub mint oil or any balm with mint into the calf and feet until redness and slight tingling;
— Infusions of motherwort and valerian before bedtime help relieve discomfort in the legs and have a calming effect on the entire body;
— Horseradish tincture is also popularly known for the treatment of restless legs syndrome.
Method of preparation: grate the root and finely chop the leaves of horseradish, then pour 400-500 ml of alcohol-containing liquid (vodka, moonshine, etc.) and leave for 4-5 days. Rub your legs and feet with this tincture regularly before going to bed;
- Some people find sheep or dog hair to help relieve symptoms of RLS. It is enough to wear woolen socks at night;
- Rub your feet with apple cider vinegar;
— Acupressure before bed relieves fatigue not only in the legs, but throughout the entire body. If you don’t know how to use this massage technique, you can simply roll the rolling pin with your feet while watching evening programs.
Drug treatment of this syndrome is prescribed in case of serious impairment of human life, illness and chronic manifestations. But in such situations you cannot do without the help of a doctor.
— Some patients noted that taking a small dose of aspirin helped relieve discomfort in their legs. This may be due to the fact that this drug thins the blood, and RLS often occurs with blood stagnation and varicose veins;
— Since restless legs syndrome is often a symptom of anemia and iron deficiency, it is necessary to start taking medications that replenish the lack of vitamins. To do this, you need to contact a specialist. He will do the necessary tests, determine the degree of anemia and prescribe treatment;
— The drug “Miralex” in small doses, which is used to treat Parkinson’s disease, helps to get rid of RLS;
— “Novo-passit”, although it is a drug, contains only herbal components. It will help calm your nerves, cope with insomnia and RLS.
Hopefully you won't have to resort to medications to treat restless leg syndrome. We wish you health and sound dreams!