Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

Hi Everyone,

Just recently came across this forum and it's been a big help and given me a sense of comfort while coping with RLS.

I came across a wearable therapy option that requires a prescription and was wondering if anyone has heard of or used this device to treat their RLS symptoms? It attaches to the upper calf area just below the knee and emits an electronic pulse to provide symptom relief.

They are a relatively new company that claims that their device is the first and only drug-free wearable therapy and clinically proven to reduce symptoms when other prescription medication is not providing relief. At this time they are accessible in California, Massachusetts, and Missouri, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and select areas of Ohio and South Carolina.

Not sure if this is a scam. Here's the link to their site: https://nidrarls.com/

Your thoughts are appreciated.

Not sure if this is a scam.

It is not a scam. One of the researchers involved was Dr. Mark Buchfuhrer, one of the leading RLS doctors in the country. The device has been approved by the FDA for treating RLS. I have not tried it, but I did see the posters that they presented at the ASSM Sleep Conference last June and the study results were very impressive. Unfortunately, since the device is new and patented, it is also expensive.

I was in the study - for a short time. It doesn't really work with severe symptoms, so I washed out. I wish I could say positive things, but my symptoms are barely covered by both methadone and pramipexole, at a dose that is pretty high.

Ann, that explains why they wouldn't accept me into the study. My symptoms are not as bad as yours, but they were too severe to be accepted (which is what happens in every RLS trial I have tried to join except the Opioid Registry).

On the advice of my doctor I bought a device called Quell that was exactly what you describe. It wraps around the leg under the knee and had to be adjusted to the level you could feel the electronic pulse. This was about 5 years ago. I got no relief at all and just lately I was researching this device and found out that it had been taken off the market because it was found not to be effective. I hope the device you're thinking of does work but the Quell one certainly did not.

Mrs Weary, thank you for telling us of your experience with Quell. All such information is useful as it may prove to be of interest to a member.

I just read about this device today. Very interested in finding a doctor to discuss this with. I have been on gabapentin for 4 years, but it has recently seemed to stop working as well. I keep waking up with symptoms; it doesn’t help to take more than five 300 mg pills, I am no longer getting relief at that level as I once did. More pills don’t help. I don’t want to take any drug that risks augmentation. I have a leg massage device from Amazon that helps some but I hate using it in the middle of the night. I would pay a lot out of pocket to get a non drug option that would work.

Dr Buchfuhrer in Los Angeles took part in the clinical trials of the device and would therefore be familiar with it.