Restless Legs Syndrome Support Group

I'm sorry that I can't help you w/that ? cause I'm not sure that I have RLS but my doc thinks I might but is just guessing due to no other proveable diagnosis...

She suggested I take requip for a couple weeks to see if helps.....I'm like you I also don't want to be a guinea pig on "New' meds for fear of side effects that are sometimes worse than the original problem and also wondered same ?....

I take advil when legs don't ache too bad but when really bad I take Ultram (non-narcotic pain med)...it helps some but not totally....

I'd also love to hear others thoughst on this post....

By the way...SueC88 I'mm so sorry to hear that you have had to deal with this pain sooo many years....I can hardly imagine how hard that must be...it's only been a year for me...

A few non -rx med ideas for you:
1. Walk around a bit when you start getting the restless feeling
2. Try heat (either a heating pad or my personal favorite a warm bath)
3. Possibly a TENS unit that uses small electrical currents to relax the muscles (I'm not sure if you have to get the unit from a Dr. or not---I got it after a back injury)

Good luck :-)

I have been on requip for years..if I had not had this it would have driven me crazy...It stops the feelings so well! If you cannot afford the meds try this site www/needymeds.com they will help people without insurance or without prescription coverage...my daughter has been helped through this site..and others I have told about it...

Thanks all but realize my leg problems aren't from RLS - still undiagnosed but hoping it will just pass some day after chemo leaves body and isn't permanent...until then will just take life one day at a time....

Good luck and prayers to everyone here who were so kind and helpful to me and I pray each of you find some way to get relief and manage pain until something can be found as a cure.....

take care all

Have you tried Sporta-Flx Organic Massage Gel? It may not be for everyone, but I do know several that are using it successfully (including me and my mom)

I haven't found anything to take away the pain from restless leg except medicine. I am taking Mirapex and it is has worked well for me. I have horrific, painful muscle aches since 1998 and never realized it was RLS until my doctor brought it up a couple of months ago. I have aches all day sporadic - most mornings, some afternoons and always at night. The mirapex isn't 100% - I am still moving dose times around to try to get the optimal effect - but I have tried pain pills, NSAIDs, creams, baths, etc. and nothing worked for me. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

I also get twitchy arms at night, especially after I've done a lot of exercise during the day. Two nights ago, my left arm along with legs were driving me crazy when I went to bed. I have to tell you guys that the Sporta-Flx took care of it, and within a very short amount of time. I do know of another lady using the Sporta-Flx Gel that was taking Requip and a sleeping pill. She has not had either since starting with the gel, and said it's the only thing that has worked for her. Again, I don't know if it will help you, but it may be worth a try.

I get more symptoms if I sit in the same position too long in the evening (TV, board games, etc) and if I go past my normal Mirapex time (7pm) but strangly, if I am out at a dance with a few drinks and lots of moving around (I havent the lungs or legs for much dancing any more) my symptoms dont appear till after midnight. This suggests to me that booze and excercise--and maybe the proverbial hot bath--might help.

I used to love to read in bed, but now I avoid that. I avoid bed until the last second, until I'm ready to sleep. And if I get twitchy, it's time to get up, go for a walk or go watch a movie and distract myself. Otherwise it's too easy to get mad, frustrated and then the problem exacerbates. Hot baths right before bed can help, too.

But to be honest, for me, I'll take side effects if it means I get to sleep. So far, though, I can't really say I've experienced any real problems with side effects with either ReQuip or Mirapex, although I'm told some people do.

I wish you the best of luck! Good thoughts!

I can't recall when my RLS started because it's been so long it's also not severe like I hear some have it. It was only really bad during my pregnancies and what helped me was to have my 80 lb dog lay across my ankles when I went to bed. The weight on my legs helped them stop jumping and eventually I could get some sleep. If you don't currently have an 80 lb dog you could maybe ask to borrow a neighbors before going and adopting one! :) Or perhaps just try using some sort of heavy weight across your ankles. I hope it helps and I too have had moments of wanting to cut my legs off.