Along with my Vitiligo (which there is no cure for) I have restless leg syndrome. It is worse now that my anemia is off the charts. Anyone else have RLS and found any could information to share that has worked for them? I stopped taking my iron because of bowel surgery (could not afford the constipation issue) and now that I am better, I need to get a hold on things.
Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

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Deezy

I dont know much about this as I dont suffer from it myself but my mum suffers from restless leg syndrome and she drinks tonic water because it has quinin(sp) in it. She says it helps. I think you can get quinin tablets..not sure though.

I usually get RLS at night when I go to bed. I run a hot bath and soak in it and rub my legs with a loufa. I find that the heat and stimulation increases the circulation. Then I put on fuzzy socks fresh out of the dryer and get into a warm bed (warmed with a heating pad). I find it helps....but maybe that is just me.

Kerry,

I took Quinine before and it seemed not to help me. Thank you for reminding me because I found some valuable information. This is what I read on the Restless Leg Syndrome website, today....

Quinine rarely (less than 5%) helps RLS and is only included to help avoid RLS sufferers from receiving this drug for their disorder. It is probably one of the most common drugs prescribed by doctors unfamiliar with RLS when they hear the RLS complaints of their patients. This inappropriate treatment occurs because the RLS symptoms are confused with leg cramps for which quinine is the correct treatment.

Many RLS sufferers think that quinine has helped them, but they cannot be sure whether they have RLS and leg cramps, or in fact only leg cramps. Patients who definitely had RLS and found that quinine helped (sometimes very significantly) their RLS, but this is still a very small minority of RLS sufferers. As with many treatments, some remedies seem to help only a few RLS patients and therefore cannot be recommended to the majority.

Thanks again for your help!




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Deezy

Thanks... maybe I will try that. I am willing to try anything. For me, the more I relax (or try to) the more the RLS get worse. I think if I get my anemia in check, my RLS may lesson. I hope so.

Thanks!


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Deezy

There is a link between RLS and iron deficiency (is this the type of anemia you have?) My husband has Chron's and as a result has difficulty absorbing enough iron. His RLS is TERRIBLE and I'm often kicked out of bed (literally!) If your iron is very low you need to find some way of absorbing iron that your body can tolerate. There are many different kinds of oral iron (prescription and OTC.) I had a prescription for a liquid capsule iron (can't remember name) that didn't seem to cause unpleasant bowel issues. I'm given a form of IV iron when my levels get too low as I don't absorb oral forms of iron well. The IV iron replaces the stores faster but is generally a last resort as it's expensive and time consuming. Ask your doc about options that may be less harsh to your system.