DEAR DR. GOTT: I went to my doctor about my restless-legs syndrome (RLS). He gave me a prescription, but I read the side effects and didn’t take the medicine. Instead, I started rubbing my feet, legs and hips with a topical cooling ointment and put on warm socks before going to bed. I’ve not had a restless night since! This works for me. It seems some of these home remedies really work. It’s just a matter of finding them.
DEAR READER: Pharmacy shelves are lined with a number of topical ointments and alternatives designed to help painful muscles associated with arthritis, simple backache, sports injuries, strains, sprains — and for you, in treating RLS. Some people find relief from ointments containing the warming properties of capsaicin. Others use ointments with cooling properties or with petrolatum menthol salves. I have also received positive reports for symptoms of RLS and leg cramps being treated with pickle juice, hawthorn-berry extract and marjoram mixed with carrier oil, such as olive or castor oil. Then there’s the hot bath, ice pack, heating pad, massage and supplements for low levels of potassium, iron, folate and magnesium.
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