The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Prescription Drug Link to Rls
Posted by Sharin (Seattle, WA) on 10/06/2008
Guess what kids, one of the major causes of RLS, is anti depressants and over the counter cold/sinus meds. muscle relaxers too. You didn't hear much about RLS until everyone and their brother was on ANTI Ds. Also, a lot of sinus medications, cold and flu meds.
I noticed this as a child, I could not take over the counter or prescribed meds because of those side effects. I decided I would rather have the symptoms of the cold or allergies than the RLS they gave me, back in the 1960s, 70s,80s, they didnt have a name for it, you hardly ever heard of it. But once the whole world got in anti depressents you starting hear about it. Even Nyquil or Benedryl does it to me, flexeril, all that stuff.
So if you have RLS, you might start looking back on when it started and what meds you introduced into your life. I'm not saying you should go off your prescribed meds, but every once in awhile the insert of a medication will now list RLS as a side effect, but not often enough. I hope this info can help someone. Just a thought.
Magnesium
Posted by Paige (Portland, OR) on 03/16/2008
★★★★★
I have had problems with RLS and have found two remedies that work for me.
The first is magnesium supplementation, which I see is often mentioned on this site. When I feel the twitching, unable-to-stop-moving feeling, I get out of bed and take the recommended dose of a calcium/magnesium/Vitamin D supplement. I get back in bed and am asleep before I remember to check if it has worked. This doesn't seem to have a cumulative effect; I have to take this most nights. I might not need it a few times a week.
The second remedy I've found is a very healthy diet. When I eat nothing but fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans and a little fish, I never get RLS symptoms. As soon as I add unhealthier things to my diet, it comes back. I hope this is helpful to some of you out there and I hope you try some of these remedies before turning to Requip or some other drug.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gail (Melbourne, Australia) on 01/17/2008
★★★★★
for anyone who can't take acv for their restless legs they can rub it into their legs, this works just as well as taking it internally
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Rich (Orlando, Florida) on 01/13/2008
★★★★★
A simple bar of regular Bath Soap placed under your bedsheets below your feet works amazing well to get rid of "Restless Legs"! It doesn't really seem to matter what type of soap is used, and you can even leave the soap in its wrapper. I'm not sure why this works, but I'm sure it has to do with the "outgassing" of the soap chemicals, which you can smell. Or it may have to do with the Molecular structure of soap, and the energy those molecules put off and how they influence your muscles. Either way, it works! I have read about this several times in "natural health" articles and have had many people use this. They think it sounds crazy, but they are happy either way with the results. We have found no negative side-effects with doing this. Try it yourself and stop your Restless Legs in your bed at night!
A Bar of Soap
Posted by SoapOpera (Raleigh, NC) on 08/26/2008
★★★★★
RLS --I vote "Yea" to Soap and Yea to Calcium Magnesium tablets. Don't know why the soap at your feet works, but, it does. Immediately. CM tablets also work--when I remember to take them!
Cereal High in Iron
Posted by Mary (Chicago, IL) on 11/29/2007
★★★★★
I use Cream of Wheat for my RLS!! My legs have always hurt plus I've had poor circulation for as long as I can remember. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore, so I researched causes and found one reason was an Iron deficiency. I then researched foods rich in Iron and came up with Cream of Wheat, 1 cup equal to 10 mg. and Total, 1 ounce equal to 18 mg. RDA is 19 mg. per day. Don't care for Total that much but love COW. Have now been taking it for 3 weeks straight, my legs are totally cured. How long did it take? Instantly. I noticed the results after the first time I took it. Even I can't believe it, it's a miracle!!!
Cereal High in Iron
Posted by Mare (Il) on 02/02/2015
Yes, it's metformin and since taking it my legs feel 99% better.
Cereal High in Iron
Posted by Mare (Il, US) on 02/03/2015
Metformin -- dosage for me is once a day, in the morning before I eat anything. I think the mg. is 250. Honestly, if I had known my diabetes was the REAL cause of my RLS I would've taken it years ago, but I didn't have medical insurance and couldn't afford to see a doctor. It wasn't until my sister, a nurse, contacted a (medical) doctor who saw me pro bono took a lot of tests and when apprised of my family medical history diagnosed me as having Type II diabetes and telling me my RLS was related to my diabetic neuropathy (nerve pain.)
FYI, I still have foot pain, especially after walking a lot, this is where the cream of wheat comes in, but the RLS is all but gone, except for about 1%, which is almost negligible!
Also, I've started taking mustard, approx. a couple of teaspoons. I heard about this on Dr. Oz one day, he said pro football players take it for leg pain. Even though I thought it sounded a little strange I took it and it seems to help a lot. Apparently there's something it that alleviates joint pain.
If anybody else wants to chime in on this I'm all ears.
Cereal High in Iron
Posted by Mare (Il) on 02/05/2015
Oh... I forgot to mention, I'm now using magnesium oil for my feet when they hurt. I love this stuff, everybody and I mean everybody should get it and try it! It comes in a spray bottle and is applied topically, I use right before bedtime and boy does it help with my throbbing pain. It calms them down and makes it possible for a restful night's sleep. When I awake poof the pain is gone!
So in conclusion, for me it's cream of wheat, table mustard and magnesium oil. And of course, metformin for the RLS.
P.S. Initially I take magnesium taurate to fall asleep... which I've been taking faithfully for approx. 8 years now. Love magnesium for all its applications!
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Donna (Brattleboro, VT) on 04/27/2009
Be very careful what you call a "cure". something may help you with your symptoms, nbt by no means is it a cure. If you stopped taking the BSM your RLS would come back, so that is not a cure, it is a method of treating RLS for SOME people. what works for one person does not work for the next person. people should use the word CURE sparingly and carefully. Insulin does not CURE Diabetes, but it controls it. Way different than a cure.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 04/27/2009 489 posts
Hello Donna,
Hope you didn't have a visit from the FDA that has you so cautious about using the word "cure".
If you can remove symptoms of a problem with vitamins, minerals or supplements, I call that replacing something that you are not getting from your diet, not a cure. Of course if a deficiency is the problem, then you are going to have to continue to take the vitamins, minerals or supplements that help unless you alter your food intake to supply what you are deficient in. When you alter your diet to include what you are missing, I call this improvement in nutrition which in turn gets rid of the problem of a deficiency. However your body is most likely going to require certain vitamins, minerals, etc. so the only cure is to alter the diet to supply the required nutrients. The general consensus today seems to be that our soil is so depleted that it is next to impossible to get all our bodies need from fruits & vegetables grown in it. However it seems that our Supreme Being is doing a better job of rebuilding the soil in the woods than our farmers are (organic farmers are learning to do a better job of it) because the "critters" living in the wild seem to be quite healthy.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Alimaacd (New Fairfield, Ct) on 08/06/2009
I have no problem calling something a cure if it does the trick! I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis / Hypothyroidism and my last bloodtest showed low Ferritin which can be a precursor to Anemia. Molasses is one of the high iron suggestions to help increase iron levels. It provides the body with something it needs....that's a cure! Obviously if you are not taking in enough of the vitamins and minerals it needs it will again become deficient.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Larry (Abbotsford, Bc Canada) on 01/27/2011
★★★★☆
Ok I have been using the BSM for a few weeks now. My RLS is mostly gone but stil some tension in my legs, but I have had the RLS for 25 years now so it may take some time to get rid of it completly. I am also using goji berry juice, its working wonders, my eyes are starting to get better. Between the BSM and the goji berry Im getting a lot healthyer.
Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium; Alkaline Diet
Posted by Ed (Lower Burrell, PA) on 09/16/2007
★★★★★
I have been working with a naturopathic doctor for a number of ailments. Although I do not have RLS, this Dr. has a radio show (620am) in Pittsburgh and has commented on RSL causes. It is usually a mineral deficiency. Adding Calcium, Magnesium or Potassium is typically the remedy. However one must be aware that there is also an underlying cause depleting minerals in the body. Soda pop (pH=2.5), coffee (pH=5.0), alcohol can pull minerals from muscles (cramps) and bones (thinning) to ring the body back to alkaline (the blood is tightly regulated at a pH of ~7.4). Try cutting out such items and supplement with good quality minerals and you should see a marked improvement. Good luck!
Balm With Menthol and Methyl Salicylate
Posted by marco (ocampo) (la puente, Ca) on 09/14/2007
★★★★★
any pain relieving balm with the active ingredients menthol and methyl salicylate should relieve your rls in about 15-25min. i used some extra strength balm which was kinda ICY to numb the discomfort and HOT to relax it away worked wonders for me and it should for you enjoy!
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Posted by Sandra (Ok, US) on 02/12/2015
Stevia is widely available. I buy mine at Walmart. Among other things (oh, joy), I have Interstitial Cystitis (Painful Bladder) and artificial sweeteners cause flares.
Avoid Deodorant With Aluminum
Posted by Judy (Loveland, Co) on 08/10/2007
★★★★★
When I was pregnant, I had terrible RLS in the third trimester. After I had the baby, it got much better. Unfortunately, five years later, I had a miscarriage and seemed to have RLS again. It wasn't as severe as the first time but it kept me up at night none the less. Meanwhile, I had started using regular deoderant with the aluminum(sp) in it. I read that that is one of the contributing factors of RLS so I stopped using antiperspirent. (Of course I use something to deoderize like a mineral rock :)) My mild case of RLS is gone.
Folic Acid
Posted by victoria (burkburnett, texas) on 03/27/2007
★★★★★
I had heard that for those who inherited restless leg seem to require high doses of folic acid. I've tried this and it works great. I take about 20, 800mcg's at night.
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Jennifer (Greenfield, WI) on 02/28/2007
★★★★★
I went to the health food store to ask about what I could give my 15 month-old son for constipation. They suggested 1-2 tsp. of blackstrap molasses in his bottle. I bought the bottle, came home, came to this website and discovered all different things this stuff is good for. I am 8 months pregnant. I was having a lot of trouble sleeping and developing symptoms of restless leg syndrome (common in pregnancy). I decided to give it a shot. Long story short, my son is pooping like a champ and I started sleeping through the night without any jerking limbs ON THE FIRST DAY! I ran out for one day, and I had a horrible night sleep. I am amazed and delighted.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lois (Florida) on 12/29/2006
★★★★★
I started taking apple cider vinegar for the acid reflux , i took one tablespoon with a cold glass of water a day for a week and right away i notice that my legs didn't hurt at night any more, which they have been bothering me for years. i never went to the doctors about it. every night it kept me awake for hours,and i felt like crying thinking i don't want to have to go through this the rest of my life. i started taking aleve or whatever else i could think might work which i don't like taking med. aleve didn't work that good. anyway, the apple cider vinegar did work for me. i did have to quit taking it every day because i only weigh 132 pounds and the vinegar was making me lose weight so now i only do the vinegar every 3 or four days and it is still working. i'm very glad i started taking it for the acid reflux and found that my legs no longer I'm am so thankful. i have no problem going to sleep at night any more. as bad as it bothered me and now that it doesn't, i want every one that has restless legs to give it a try . oh yea i started taking it october 5th 2006. well that is a bout it good luck to any one with restless legs. i know what it is like to have restless legs ,and i hope it works for all who tries it. good luck
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sal (Fresno, Ca, 93726) on 01/04/2010
★★★★★
Yes. Thank you so very much for posting this. It really worked for me. About an half an hour to an hour before I go to sleep, I warm up a glass of water (8 oz. or so) and add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 teaspoons of honey. (I buy the one that says unfiltered apple cider vinegar made from ripe apples - organic, pasteurized). This formula really worked for me. The taste is good and I read a lot of things about apple cider vinegar, it is supposed to be a very good thing and has been used for centuries safely. So definitely give it a try. Thank you again!!!
Kava Oil
Posted by Anon2 (Not the South) on 10/12/2024
Tannins, like in black tea, and nightshade vegetables like tomatoes and peppers may be the cause. Try an "elimination diet".
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Susan (Chapin, SC) on 07/20/2022
If that's the best you have got, we are in the boat-all of us-without a paddle. I have yet to try the baking soda, although I Will. I have always thought RLS was something that my body lacked, as I thought I was the only one who suffered from this! Bar of soap is not a cure. I promise.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Kimberly (Vidalia, Ga) on 05/15/2025
Why should we not use Dial? I was just about to do this but all I have is gold Dial
Quinine
Posted by Holly (United States) on 08/09/2019
★★★★★
Soap etc didn't work for my RLS, but drinking 6-8 ounces of tonic water does work. May have read it on EC but been doing it so long I forget. I buy diet tonic water with "real quinine" listed in the ingredients. Good luck and sleep tight!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dana (Alaska) on 03/25/2017
★★★★☆
Apple Cider Vinegar for Restless Legs...
If I can feel the restlessness creeping into my legs as the evening moves on, I'll take a spoonful of ACV in water. (Of course then I have to rinse my teeth off... too much acid.) But another thing that is helpful is HEAT, in the form of a hot water bottle between my legs. This is usually enough to keep me comfortable so that I can sleep without having to get out of bed and go get the vinegar. It must be because it relaxes my muscles. I've heard other people have success with sea salt, but I haven't found it makes a difference for me, and I already get plenty of sea salt/ Himalayan salt in my diet...
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Julie (Devon) on 04/17/2017
Can I use this as I am a diabetic?
Dietary Changes, Magnesium
Posted by Kim (San Diego ) on 10/17/2016
What type of magnesium works best for RLS? I take Glycinate however some people say that may not be the best. Thank you
Liver (Folate)
Posted by Cate (Melbourne, Australia) on 09/29/2014
Grass-fed Liver for Restless Leg Syndrome.
I was pregnant with my now almost one year old and developed RLS in the fifth or sixth month of gestation. It was HORRIFIC. I went about three weeks without sleep, exhausted beyond words. My mood was foul, I was a mental case. I knew I'd find a cure, so spent night after night searching. Eventually I found a great site, and realised I was lacking folate. Not folic acid which is some budget man-made chemical, but genuine bio-available pure folate from clean animal sources. Being paleo helps too.
I bought some grass-fed calves liver the following morning, ate up about half a cup and slept more deeply and with the greatest relief, you will only know the bliss that accompanied that sleep if you've suffered from this evil modern curse yourself.
Grass-fed liver- beef, ox, lamb, even chicken liver in pate. Get some folate in you.
Kratom Leaves
Posted by Dave (Mojave, California) on 09/08/2013
★★★★★
I used to take prescription meds for my RLS but too many bad side effects. I found out that many supplements available online such as Kratom quiet RLS 100%. It took me years of trial and error but I was curious why during a prescription I had for Tylenol 3 that had codeine, why did this quiet my RLS? It turns out that the alkaloids in Kratom mimic the alkaloids found in opiates without the drug effects. While kratom will quiet your RLS, it also gives a nice feeling of relaxation. Do your own research but I can tell you, Kratom is safe, been used by humans for hundreds of years and impossible to overdose. As you progress in learning about kratom, you'll find the same information. I usually take 8-10 capsules 1 hour before bed, works great, no after effects and flushes out of the body within 7-8 house. Only side effects I have after using kratom for RLS for years is constipation and drowsy before bed. Kratom extracts beyond 15% are a waste, stick to the powder, capsules are my favorite, plenty of legal U.S. online suppliers.
Vitamin D
Posted by Mia B (Slough) on 06/14/2013
★★★★★
Sorry have to correct my last post... It's 50,000 iu a week not daily for therapeutic dose of d3... So I just split it up as daily doses... Have to admit that already there is a huge difference, hardly any throbbing at night and can fall asleep without any painkillers... And I soak my feet in Epsom water every other day... I have also started the half lemon juice with 1/2 tsp baking soda last thing at night, sometimes with a pinch of cream of tartar powder for the potassium.... So that along with the calcium and mag tabs... I think is doing the trick.... Now just have to fit in the Apple Cider Vinegar in the mornings!! .... Whatever it takes...!!!
Borax
Posted by Susan (Chicago) on 05/20/2013
Precisely, What kind of Borax dosage did you take before bed time ? I am afraid drinking too much water before bed time. What brand borax did you use?
Borax
Posted by Carmela (Cambridge, Ma) on 05/20/2013
Thank you so much for submitting your borax remedy! I have tried borax, but don't like drinking a liter a day so your method of just 1 teaspoon at night sounds fantastic! I immediately went and prepared a bottle last night after reading your post and took my first teaspoon before bed. It relaxed me, but didn't zonk me out. I am looking forward to providing more feedback as time goes by. Thank you again!
Borax
Posted by Precisely. (Mineral Hill, New Mexico, Us) on 05/20/2013
Hi Susan from Chicago, I started with a teaspoon from the litre bottle of water and borax. I'm up to 1 tablespoon at bedtime now. To me, it tastes like very dilute apple juice, but most folks seem to think it tastes "soapy".
After the first 10 days, my response switched from bright and wide-awake to extremely sleepy. My guess is that I was having a healing crisis response, but one afternoon, I literally fell asleep standing up. Had a split-second to grab the armchair and fall down into it, instead of somewhere else. Scared the heck out of my cats, who were in the chair until I fell there, and also scared me, too. Fainting is different -- used to faint as a teen into my 20s. This was definitely falling asleep. Over the next week I asked a friend to be my 'contact buddy' and we spoke 2-3x daily, to make sure no other sudden surprises went unnoticed.
At some point we figured out that I should only take the borax at bedtime. Maybe it would be different if I sipped a pint or so that had a teaspoon in it... But for now, all's good. I do feel more energized during the daytime, as well. Interesting nutrient.
Debating whether to boost my intake, and not sure if I feel like experimenting with another daytime dose. My body feels like it wants more.
To Carmela from Cambridge, happy my idea helped!
To Leelannee from Sussex, NJ... I love your town! Those stone sidewalks, and all the old colonial buildings, plus so close to great parks and forests. I've had the same experience as you have if I miss even one dose (= bad night).
Borax
Posted by Susan (Chicgo, Chicago) on 05/21/2013
Where do you get your Borax? Is it 20 Mule?
Borax
Posted by Precisely. (Mineral Hill, New Mexico) on 05/21/2013
To Susan from Chicago: Yes, 20-Mule Team Borax.
