Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

I have had RLS for about 7 years. The Requip never seemed to help. I had not had a good nights sleep in 7 years. In fact, I rarely got more than 4 hours sleep each night. Two weeks ago my Rls got unbearable. I started trying massaging my legs with Voltaren gel which is a prescription for arthritis. I got 100% relief. It was incredible. I slept undisturbed all night. So for the last two weeks I have been massaging a small amount of the Voltaren gel into the back and sides of my legs , also I have rubbed my arms which bother me from time to time with RLS. I have read the medical facts on Voltaren gel. I have not had any side effects. I realize that two weeks is not enough time to tell but I get absolutely 100% relief. Just wanted to pass this along to you.

I have this in the house and would use it sometimes for my hands.
Voltaren contains Diclofenac, I have Voltarol which is basically the same thing. This is something to bear in mind.

Note - They are NSAIDs, shouldn't be used by anyone with asthma.

I hope it continues to work. I have to wonder if you may have neuropathy along with with RLS and this helps it. It can be so hard to tell them apart - we get people who are misdiagnosed every so often. I say that because ropinerole/Requip works for almost everyone. That it doesn't help makes me wonder....

Whatever you have, so happy it is gone, at least for now.

I like any post that begins with Relief of My RLS!

Update; Almost 9 months of relief with Voltaren gel. I rub a thin layer on the backs and side of my legs before bedtime. No RLS symptoms.. A tube lasts me a month. I have had no side effects that I know of. I was desperate before this. Almost no sleep at night. Now I have to set an alarm to be sure not to over sleep.

I might try the Votaren gel tonight. Now that my ferratin levels are higher I don't have many symptoms except every time I wake up (3–4 times a night) my legs hurt and I have to stay up for about an hour.

I can’t say if it will work for anyone else but it sure helps me.

Last night I rubbed some Votaren gel on the backs of my calves just before bed. Two hours later, like clockwork, I woke up. My left leg hurt so I put some more on. It did take away the RLS pain but after going back to bed I woke up again a few hours later with my other leg hurting. I won't use it again unless I can't work out the pain for a long while.

The voltaren gel has a thin card inside to measure how much to put on. I used that at first to be sure I was getting the correct dose. Now I just squeeze that much on my finger and put it on. It covers from my ankle to my hips on the back and side of my legs. I get all night relief. I guess we are all different and what works for me might not affect you the same. Thanks for replying.

My hubbie's doctor suggested this for arthritis pain. I decided to try it for trigger point pain - while not RLS, it definitely wakes me up and keeps me rubbing the affected part because it hurts so much. Definitely helped the pain.

If anyone's RLS is painful, this might help. It would likely help any other pain issues that may mingle with, override, or worsen RLS symptoms, making the RLS easier to deal with, too.

I am on Ropinirole (3mg spread out during day). At night, I take 1 mg Clonazepam and 600 mg. Gabapentin plus 1 (herbal) Valerian Root. I usually sleep fairly well for 7 hours. Two years ago my Neurologist prescribed Voltaren gel, because I was complaining about burning in my feet and a little in the legs. I read the insert and it scared me to death. I'm fairly healthy, I think, except for this misery of RLS and autoimmune skin issues. The insert mentioned a number of catastrophic health issues that could arise, even though you've never had these health issues, one being heart trouble. Yikes. Ointment resides in the linen closet. I think many doctors have gone prescription crazy and don't even know side effects. Just my opinion.

I have some Voltaren gel which I use for arthritis. I'm going to give it a try on the legs. I am desperate to get off of Requip. I've been on it for 4+ years but absolutely cannot sleep without it.