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Anyone use Nidra bands for restless legs (RLS)?
As I researched my RLS issues I came across these bands that wrap around you legs under the knee. They have helped my RLS a lot and were mostly covered by my Medicare. Someone comes to your home and shows you where to place them and adjust the levels. It isn't painful. Just a tingeling sensation for the 30 minute session. My doctor have never heard of them because they are so new. Im still on Requip but hope to change to something else because this isn't a good way to go. I was put on it years ago before they knew the issues. But I have to say that using both the med and the bands I have evenings when I don't need a session at all.
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@lauriefeenstra
Hi Laurie, This may seem silly but I saw on Temu.com a some knee massager bands that also have heat. They only cost 22 bucks and may be worth a try. I have the Nida bands and they do help along with Requip. I also take hot baths with epsom salts and a claming bubble bath and soak as long as possible. Also I put ice packs behind my knees for a while. Hot to cold seems to help. I wish you good luck with finding a lasting solution. I understand.....
Does anyone here have RLS related to iron deficiency? Mine is not exactly painful but irritating enough that I have to get out of bed and walk about 50-100 yards to quell it.
You should have it checked by your doctor. Low iron can be a factor for
sure. Good luck.
@steven46 Years ago, the Restless Leg Foundation sponsored some research where donated brains of people who suffered from RLS were examined and low iron (in some specific area of the brain) was the very common finding--and consequently linked to RLS. This study involved a good number of donated brains (if I remember, around 300) so low iron (in the brain) has been established to be related to RLS symptoms. For some people with RLS, an IV iron infusion can be very helpful, I understand. Did NOT work for me. If this is something you want to pursue, you want a knowledgeable doctor ordering this treatment--the specific type of iron (I've read) is important and it needs to be given in an infusion center, where you are watched by nurses. I had my IV iron ordered by a RLS doctor--it wasn't something my primary doctor had ever heard of. If you have not yet been treated for RLS with a medication, go to the Restless Leg Foundation website and read about augmentation that comes from taking dopamine agonist drugs. These drugs (which work initially) are known to cause horrific side effects in time and they are no longer recommended for new onset RLS patients. For years, they were the first line recommended drugs. Now there are not. Unfortunately, doctors who are not RLS experts have not yet caught up with this fact and still prescribe them. In the UK (Britain etc) there is a law that dopamine agonist drugs can no longer be prescribed for RLS. Google this. Educate yourself and advocate for yourself. The Foundation website has lots over great information--you don't need to be a member to view it. Best of luck to you.
@missjb thank you for the info. So far, iron supplements don’t raise my ferritin level which is the only blood iron marker that is low. I had an iron infusion about 9 months ago and that both raised my ferritin and relieved the symptoms. The symptoms returned as the ferritin level dropped. I’m scheduled for another iron fusion in a few weeks. You’ve given me some good direction to investigate further.