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.
A Bar of Soap
Posted by Sammie (Ventura, Ca) on 12/09/2008
★☆☆☆☆
I have restless legs that intesify after a workout. I've tried the bar of soap remedy, and it does not work for me at all.
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Michele (Los Angeles, California) on 10/31/2008
★★★★★
I too have had the creepy crawly sensation, associated with Restless Leg Syndrome. I tried lots of home remedies and finally I am cured but there is not one single remedy that did the trick. A remedy is good for a little while then it is not efficient anymore and I have to use another one for a while. I have listed everything I tried and your readers have to do like me: test them and by trials and errors they will find a few that are good for them.
VERY EFFICIENT FOR ME:
1-Massaging the legs.
-Almond oil is a light oil widely used in the profession but any good oil will work.
-Three places to massage: on the side above the ankle, inside the thighs, vertically all along the back of the calves.
-Tapping gently on the great saphenous vein with castor oil. It runs along the inside side of the thigh.
2-Being warm:
This is extremely important for me: even if I have never noticed that my legs were cold, I have discovered with surprise that my legs need to be warm.
Wearing a pyjama and also sometimes support stockings (but I believe any regular hosiery will do). I have a dawn conforter and a dawn matress pad. If nothing works, I crawl against my husband and the warmth of his body always helps me.
Feet
All the problems of the feet have an influence on the legs.
-Foot bath before retiring with hydrogen peroxide or Epsom Salt or baking soda or sea salt are extremely important.
-I massage lightly my legs, from ankle to knee (in this direction) with the water from the bath.
-I have worn insole in my shoes for more than 25 years. I cannot do without them.
3-Drinking before going to bed
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of water
or
Baking soda and cider vinegar (Ted's recipe)
or
Cinnamon and honey in warm water
4-Spiritual healing (reiki or other modalities)
Laying on of hands done by yourself or a practitionner
or
Remote healing sent by a friend or a practitionner.
If you don't know anyone to send it to you, you can contact me and I will do it for you for one or two days so that you can experience it and see if you can get some relief this way. (My pleasure. No charge)
5-Other good aids:
Exercices with legs
Inversion table
Full bath
Magnet anklet
Foot detox pads
NOT EFFICIENT FOR ME BUT IT MAY BE FOR SOME READERS:
Soap in bed
Magnesium supplement
Molasses
In-home professional massage
Sleeping on the floor
Bed in North-South direction
Unplugging everything in bedroom (to avoid the electromagnetic field EMF)
Avoiding digital clocks on bedstand
OTHER IDEAS WORTH EXPLORING
Chi Kong
Tai Chi
Electric massager
Cider vinegar on legs
Foot bath with cider vinegar
Reflexology
Drinking drops of hydrogen peroxide
POSSIBLE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM
While massaging my legs, I discovered that there are three places inside the legs that feel hard and painful and benefit immensely from the massage: on the side above the ankle, inside the thighs, vertically all along the back of the calves.
Looking at a chart, I realized these places correspond to the path of the great and the small saphenous veins. Does that mean that Restless Leg Syndrom is a blood circulation problem?
Multiple Remedies
Posted by Maura (Chevy Chase, Md) on 07/24/2015
Has anyone tried Vitamin K2 for leg cramps of RLS? I am going to try K2 and curcumin/tumeric as soon as I receive them in mail.
Electric Massager
Posted by Victoria (Santa Barbara, CA) on 09/07/2008
★★★★★
Re creepy crawly leg sensations associated with restless leg syndrome... using an electric massager on the afflicted area of my leg, usually the calf, stops the creepy crawly sensation. This sensation is associated with Restless Leg Syndrome although my leg does not twitch or jump. I experience this sensation in the early afternoon or evening when I am lying down and resting on the couch. When I use the above treatment for about 5-10 minutes, the crawling sensation cycle is broken.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Alice Curt (Seale, Alabama) on 04/28/2009
I am new to the site. I have had restless leg syndrom for MANY years now and take medication for it. I DO NOT like the side effects. I see where many people are talking about acv. I have severe rls and would like to know how much acv and water to mix? Also what time of day should this be taken? I can not take naps either because if I take a pill to sleep I am no good for the rest of the day.
I am a 59 year old female, about 5ft6inches and weigh 180, I would also like to try the acv for weight lose. Any suggestions?
Thank you for your time,
Alice Curt
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dorothy (Texas) on 09/29/2015
Thanks for the info about the Apple Cider Vinegar. I just read this and plan to try it in just a minute. Do you also have knotted veins in the thigh area that hurt soooo bad?
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 09/29/2015
Dear Dorothy,
The knotted veins sound like varicose veins. The Apple Cider Vinegar May help that, too.
~Mama to Many~
Cereal High in Iron
Posted by Carlos (Dundas, Ontario, Canada) on 07/11/2012
Been taking cream of wheat for six months and it is doing nothing for my nightly restless legs. Tried the soap, no effect. Tried magnesium with and without calcium, tablets and powder (CALM), no effect. Would cutting out one or two cups of coffee in the morning really make a difference? The only sure thing which works is walking around for about two hours between 2 AM and 4 AM, plus some tylenol. Don't ask me why. Carlos.
Cereal High in Iron
Posted by Blanche (Iberia Parish, Louisiana) on 07/11/2012
Are you by any chance anemic? That is one of the contributing factors.
Cereal High in Iron
Posted by Bess (Calgary (home Of The Stampede!), Alberta, Canada) on 07/12/2012
Hi Carlos - Along with being checked for anemia as suggested by Blanche, have your thyroid checked too. Restless leg syndrome can be a problem for those suffering from hypothyroidism. Also, make sure you are not dehydrated (check out the water cure on the Internet - you add just a little bit of sea salt with your water). Although magnesium (CALM) really helped me with RLS, perhaps you need to apply magnesium oil transdermally on your legs/feet (I believe Bill's formula is 60% magnesium chloride and 40% distilled water). Good luck - I hope you find something that works! Bess
Cereal High in Iron
Posted by Ladymars (Florida, Us) on 02/01/2015
Hi, great to know about the low iron/diabetic neuropathy link. Can you tell us what else you are taking in addition to the Cream of Wheat? Thanks!
Cereal High in Iron
Posted by Larry (Fairfax, Va) on 02/02/2015
Hi Mare, In your post about RLS, you mention: "Yes, It's metformin .... " Can you please explain this further, including its action & the dosage? Thanks, Larry
Examine Mineral Deficiencies
Posted by Linda (Orlando, FL) on 11/27/2007
★★★★★
I have suffered from RLS most of my life (I'm 47)and discovered the link between RLS and mineral deficiency about 20 years ago. I have supplemented with Potassium, Calcium and Iron. I cook my own food, eat very little processed stuff, and have always craved spinach and broccoli (I even like brussel sprouts!). But even eating all the right stuff, I still need the supplements. I also suffer from endometriosis (horrible female problem), which I think is also related somehow to the mineral deficiency. I have been taking Blackstrap Molasses (full of good minerals) for about a year to try to combat those symptoms. I haven't experienced the "miracle cure" other women have written about, but at least I'm off the Percocet! Recently I have been reading on this site about magnesium supplementation. Am I right to think that low magnesium can cause malabsorption of other minerals? I'm going to try it for a while and see what happens.
Examine Mineral Deficiencies
Posted by Laura (Mt.olive, Ms. Usa) on 01/10/2011
After having hemorrhoid surgery I had terrible RLS every night. Also had heart surgery 6 weeks before hemorrhoid surgery. Dr. gave me Meripex which did not help with RLS. @ 65 years enough is enough!!! Been taking percocet like Linda from Florida said she did also. Anxious to try some of the remedies suggested in the testimonials. Will let you know the outcome.........Laura
Examine Mineral Deficiencies
Posted by James (Manchester, Ct) on 09/04/2012
It's been 9 years since my son was born and I started taking Mirapex for my RLS (so that my wife could sleep when she came back from nursing our first child during the night). I've had to up the dose considerably (in order for me to even fall asleep now... With terrible side effects). Read about Magnesium and took some at intervals today. Staved off the nightly RLS symptoms until 10:00 p.m. However, at about midnight I woke with symptoms again and have been up for 6 hours now. Found your website and drank the ACR/honey mix 30 min ago and downed two tablespoons of molassis 15 min ago. Rather than a controlled study... I needed some relief. I hope for better tomorrows. I'll keep you posted. Peace to you all and thanks for sharing your results with others. Having no control over such a debilitating health concern has left me so bummed out.
Examine Mineral Deficiencies
Posted by Alan (London, Uk) on 09/04/2012
Hi what has helped my wife and a few friends with this is bicarb of soda flat teaspoon in half cup of water. or my wife favors, no joke, rubbing a bar of soap on her legs then sleep with it in the bed, dry soap.
Examine Mineral Deficiencies
Posted by Bogdan (Canada) on 03/07/2017
Hi, in general you are v.right, your diet, supplements, this and that. My case maybe different but that does not matter. I'm doing the same but I'd say nothing works regardless. If there is something the change is non-tangible 3-5%. Hard to say working or not. Sorry to tell you that but what people are posting that works normally won't.
Regards, Bogdan
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Larry (Abbotsford, Bc Canada) on 01/13/2011
I will give the BSM a try, thanks for the info, if it works for me your a life saver, if not thanks anyway. Larry
Blackstrap Molasses
Posted by Ueugene Oregon (Eugene, Oregon) on 08/03/2011
★★★★★
Black strap molasses! Thanks for reminding me! I had taken BSM for many years and had only some RLS. I've actually forgotten to take it for over a year and my RLS has worsened since then to a point that it's unbearable. I will immediately go to the store and buy some! Of course it helps since it's very high in minerals, something very important to have to keep rls to a dull roar!
Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium; Alkaline Diet
Posted by Andoy (Boise, Id) on 09/22/2011
Looks like this a problem of too much acidity.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Posted by Julia (Brooksville, FL) on 06/07/2009
Glen, Look into Aspartame and artificial sweetners and you'll see why diet drinks, as well as many other things that contain this product are not good for you. I use Stevia. It's a natural sweetner, not a chemical. You can find it online, or in your local health food store.
Avoid Artificial Sweeteners
Posted by Kim (Winnipeg, Manitoba) on 10/30/2011
How about splenda?
Avoid Deodorant With Aluminum
Posted by Cynthia (Jacksonville, Alabama) on 03/17/2010
Thanks very much for this site. I've gotten a lot of good ideas from here. I had to laugh at the dog chasing cars in the dreams comment. I can relate. My dreams totally evolved around my kicking legs. I was wondering if aluminum deoderant was behind my rls. We had been using Lavelin for years and suddenly couldn't get it anymore.I bought another kind at the HFS and the label said- no alumninum chlorhydrate. I got faked out by the label and started using it. Then my hubby noticed on the back real small it said- active ingrediant- aluminum. I thought- I'll just use it up since we paid for it. I started eventually to get rls and was wondering if it had to do w/ it. Tom's makes a deoderant w/o aluminum and my hubby likes it. Remember those "mineral stones" are made of aluminum. Learn from my sheeple move and read the fine print~
I've been trying a bunch of stuff that has been reported on this site. It seems to help, unfortunately, I'm not sure exactly which thing is working. One thing I've done too is cut way back on eating Tums for indigestion. I read on the internet it can be an iron blocker. Since I'm a vegetarian, I have to be careful about getting enough iron as it is. I've started back using vinegar for indigestion, it works well and is supposed to be good for rls anyway. I've also cut way back on aspirin, it supposedly can block iron absorbtion is what I read. I've beefed up on slow absorbtion, fem iron (not taking within one hour of tea- tea (chai) is supposed to block it), molasses, magnesium, D-3, folic acid, taking vita C with iron pill, and I tried the baking soda in the water. Baking Soda is really not the healthiest thing long term either, but when you're hurting, you really don't care. I also tried a massager, and hot bathes, so far all those things have helped some. The socks in the bed have helped a lot, I do have a problem with cold feet. I'm going to try the sliver of ivory soap in the socks tonight when I go to bed. What's kind of weird right now is, my legs quit aching and now my arms are instead. They never hurt before.
Hopefully, stopping the aluminum deoderant will make it go away. These other things to speed it up. I knew the Tums were my downfall also.
I'm certain if I keep diligent, I'll get back on top of it again.
Thanks again for this site and for everyone's posts. Thank God for the internet. If we had to rely on doctor's we'd really be screwed! They have their place, but it helps to have tried and true natural and safe remedies that work and being able to share them. God bless you all~ Namaste, Cynthia
