Restless Leg Syndrome Cures and Causes
Even with all of the research I’ve done about Restless Leg Syndrome, I am still having trouble with it. I’ll admit, I haven’t done all of the remedies because I guess I’m lazy and when it hits me I’m just annoyed and no longer thinking clearly. Plus, it appears I’m backwards in most things which has made me skeptical.
I’m pretty sure mine is hormonal too which is ironic because my symptoms of RLS started when I started to fix my hormonal imbalance and started to feel better. I accept that I’m backwards, and it’s nice to have my hormones starting to feel more under control, but my RLS continues.
Mine usually hits me immediately when I settle down to sleep. It never wakes me up, just keeps me from falling asleep. Sometimes my legs just want to move, other times they just feel warm, tingly, irritating. This just began for me a couple of months ago. Before that, I had heard of RLS, my mother had spoken of it. I thought, “Boy, that sounds annoying!”
That is an understatement. It’s amazing how you can feel fine one minute, lie down and then have it just hit you and start driving you crazy and keeping you awake. It’s bad enough when you are being kept away for other reasons, but when your body starts doing it to you, man…
So, my search for remedies continues. During my search, I ran across the weirdest thing ever. A restless leg syndrome soap cure.
Have you heard of this?
Apparently, it has been around awhile. It seems almost too silly to believe, but everything I’ve read makes the results sound pretty remarkable. So I’m going to give it a try. If you do too, please come back and tell me if it worked for you.
Here’s what you do:
Use an unwrapped bar of soap – Ivory is good (not Dove or Dial, don’t ask why) and place it under your bottom sheet near your feet. It has been noted to not only cure RLS but other leg cramp problems as well. Apparently, it works better for leg cramps than RLS, but many people have noted improvement and complete relief of their RLS from this method. One person says they place their feet on the soap and the symptoms go away in a couple of minutes.
They have also noted that if you start to see symptoms again, replacing the bar of soap (at least every 6 months) that that helps. Which makes sense, if there is an active ingredient in the soap that is helping.
Why Try a Restless Leg Syndrome Soap Cure?
Some people with RLS symptoms are put on a prescription drug called Requip, however, this prescription can cause drowsiness during the day which can be dangerous. Trying a bar of soap first seems like a no brainer to me before going to this extreme.
Dr. Oz recommended a bar of lavender soap, as lavender itself has relaxing properties, but there is little evidence to support this. However, a twitter poll on using soap, in general, showed that 42 percent of people experienced relief from nighttime leg cramps.
What do you think? Is this psychosomatic? Or could there really be something to this? And what do you think is the reason it works?
More importantly, if it works and you are currently suffering from RLS, do you care why?
RLS symptoms at night are really annoying. The only thing I’ve tried that has worked for me are some stretches. Someone also recently asked me where to place ice packs for restless legs. I’m not sure that exact placement matters as much as that you do it. For me, anywhere below the knees on the calves would help.
Be warned though that sometimes heat works, sometimes cold works – it kind of depends on the person. So what I’m realizing now with my research is that like with everything else, everyone is different and the cure is going to be particular to you, just as your symptoms and causes are particular to you.
Here are a few other RLS cures that I’ve found:
– Walk and Stretch: Movement helps restless legs. Unfortunately for me, as soon as I stop it usually comes back – unless I’ve done enough stretching, particularly the calves.
– Apply heat or cold: Heat compresses and warm baths work for some people, whereas, ice packs and/or cold showers work for others
– Massage: This doesn’t seem to help me, and others I know actually report that after a massage they often experience RLS – so again, this is particular to each person.
– Use Muscle Rubs, like Bengay and Aspercreme: Doctors say these help improve blood flow and relieve pain.
– Have sex: The activity often relaxes people, helping them to sleep and keeping RLS away.
– Keep mentally busy: Silly, since you want to sleep. But if you can’t sleep, try reading, writing or doing puzzles or even having a conversation.
Personally, all of the above seems like a lot more work than simply buying a bar of Ivory and putting it under my sheets. So I’m going to try that one first. If it doesn’t work, no loss. If it does, then Eureka!!!! I’ll let you know how it goes.
Please do the same – come back and share your results with us.
Kat
NurturingYourBody.com
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