Constipation and RLS, a frustrating combination

April 6, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 76-year-old female with RLS for many years. The symptoms have increased in the past 10 years. It begins about two hours after supper and I must walk for some relief. Then it continues (many times with jerking) when I go to bed so I have to get up and walk. I average about four to five hours of sleep every night and don’t nap during the day. I have been on the low-dose generic drug for Mirapex for several years. It worked very well for about seven to eight months, then started lessening.

I now suspect that my ongoing constipation problem, which has increased with aging, is the cause of my RLS. My primary care doctor disagrees but the RLS symptoms seem related to my difficulty with having bowel movements, especially since they occur mostly after supper. Have any studies been done on that possibility?
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Restless legs syndrome responds to calcium

September 20, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My husband and I are both in our late 40s. He has suffered from restless legs syndrome (RLS) for more than 20 years. He has taken different prescription medications that either have not worked or have left him groggy the next day.

A couple of months ago I had some mild heartburn and my legs had that creepy-crawly feeling, so I got up and took two Tums. Even though my heartburn did not completely go away, the sensation in my legs did. The next night my husband’s legs were bothering him, so I told him to take two Tums. For the past couple of months he has continued to take them every night. If he forgets and his legs start to bother him, he gets up, takes two, and within 30 minutes he is able to rest.
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Woman faces woes of middle age

August 31, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am writing to inquire about a medical condition that I have had for more than 15 years with no diagnosis determined. I’m a 63-year-old African-American female in good health except for allergies. The older I get, the worse the problem.

I have constant cramping in my legs, thighs, toes, hands, rib cage and arms. Lately, most of my cramping is happening at night when I go to bed. Both legs cramp up, and one of my feet twists to one side. These cramps are painful. I can turn over in the middle of the night and catch a cramp. I have had all types of blood work performed, and when my potassium was a little low, I was told to take a potassium pill. I cramped twice as much.
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Hawthorn berries for RLS

June 18, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a 70-year-old female who began experiencing restless legs at age 20. I understand you have discussed using hawthorn berries for control and would like to know more about this alternative treatment. Thank you for your help.

DEAR READER: Hawthorn berries contain antioxidant properties and improve blood flow to the heart. Readers have also indicated the supplement has helped with the muscle twitches and tremors associated with restless-legs syndrome, Parkinson’s and hypertension.

Check with your primary-care physician before using hawthorn berry, because some herbals can cause unwanted side effects if taken with other drugs. If you choose to continue, be sure to follow the packaging directions for recommended doses.

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Home remedies for RLS

May 12, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My 27-year-old granddaughter has restless-legs syndrome, and I can’t remember your home remedy. Can you help?

DEAR READER: There are several remedies that might help your granddaughter. One herbal recommendation is hawthorn berry available in most health-food stores. Nutritional supplements include supplemental vitamin E in the diet, calcium, magnesium and folic acid. Home remedies include an unwrapped bar of soap under the bottom sheet of her bed placed in the area of the lower legs. Smaller hotel bars of soap are ideal because of their size, but the large ones work equally well. Still another possible solution is an over-the-counter topical liniment containing cooling menthol rubbed onto the lower legs and feet before going to sleep.

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Honey helps reader’s cough and RLS

March 4, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I always enjoy reading your column. You seem to be well-grounded medically, yet open-minded enough to hear new things. I am writing to let you know my experience with restless-legs syndrome.

I am a 57-year-old female. My height and weight are proportionate, and I am healthy overall. When I get fatigued, or just very tired at the end of the day, I am often bothered by RLS. It is annoying to say the least. Generally, I take an aspirin or two, which helps calm things down, but I already have thin blood and don’t like to take more than is necessary. [Read more...]

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New remedy for RLS?

March 2, 2010 By

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. [Read more...]

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Hawthorn berries for RLS

February 6, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have just become aware of your newspaper column, where reference was made to restless legs syndrome. I have suffered for several years with this frustrating condition and have tried numerous remedies, including prescription drugs. Because of side effects, I cannot use the prescriptions and have not had success with the other remedies.
Unfortunately, I did not see your original article recommending the use of hawthorn berries. I have read the testimonials of those who were helped by the product and am interested in trying it. Could you please reprint the article? I have also been taking 250 milligrams of magnesium at bedtime.
DEAR READER: Because I have received so many letters regarding this topic, I have decided to share the information again. [Read more...]

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RLS not connected to rheumatic fever

February 18, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am an 86-year-old widow of a disabled WWII veteran. I am the eldest in a family of 5 girls. I and two of my sisters have restless legs syndrome (RLS). We three also had rheumatic fever. I have often wondered whether there was a connection between the two conditions.

My father also had rheumatic fever but he died at age 46 so I do not know if he would have had RLS.

DEAR READER: Restless legs syndrome is in no way related to rheumatic fever, but as you know, the cause of RLS remains unknown, so the future may tell us more.

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