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RLS and Vibration?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 4:33 pm
by LucyKayt
I'm really sure to start, So I'll give y'all the condensed version of my story. I've had RLS symptoms for a number of years now, its slowly been getting a bit worse, but nothing really new. Lately vibration has been triggering my leg pain. Anything like a chair dragging on the floor well I'm near or sitting in an idling car, we have some house renos going on in the basement and I can feel the vibrations through the floors and my legs will act up in no time. So I've done some internet research and everything seems to say vibration can cause relief for RLS symptoms. So my question is any one else bothering by vibration? Is it something that is pretty normal?

Re: RLS and Vibration?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 5:47 pm
by Polar Bear
I have to admit I don't recall hearing of vibration causing rls symptoms.
There are indeed triggers which can set our symptoms off, but this is a first for me.

You've mentioned 'leg pain', do you mean actual pain... or is this your description for the squirmy need to move symptoms.
I just had a random thought of vibration irritating a little nerve and causing pain.

Re: RLS and Vibration?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 5:57 pm
by LucyKayt
Its definitely a squirmy, sharp, need to move pain, and movement makes it somewhat better. My family doctor isn't much help either, I've had problems with my legs for more then ten years now, and my doctor kept saying growing pains, or its anxiety. I did my own research and went with it to my doctor and he just gave me some meds and nothing else. So I'm not even sure if he really believes me or is just trying to brush me off. But from what I can tell RLS is what fits the symptoms. I'm really at my wits end with it though.

Re: RLS and Vibration?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 6:37 pm
by Rustsmith
Take a look at the questions on this document to understand whether you really have RLS. There isn't a physical test that the doctors can run, only this series of questions.
http://www.rls.org.au/pdf/PKGD6.pdf

As for your doctor's attitude, unfortunately this is a very common occurrence. Depending upon your insurance situation, your first bet would be to ask your doctor for a referral to a neurologist who is familiar with treating RLS. If that doesn't work and your insurance situation allows, you may need to check around and do a self referral to a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders, which includes RLS. Many of us had to go through multiple doctors before finding one who "gets it" when it comes to RLS. Once you find one who is a keeper, develop a good relationship because you will be going to that doctor for a very long time.

Re: RLS and Vibration?

Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2016 7:17 pm
by ViewsAskew
Hi - welcome to the board.

You know, I think this is very personal. Most of the research seems to point to there being different types of RLS. On this board, some of us find that vibration works, some do not. I'd not invest many hundreds of dollars without some tests first.

If you have a vibrating massager - I have a handheld one for massaging the back - try it. Or if you have a personal vibrator of some kind - try that.

Vibration alone does not eliminate my symptoms, but it does help me when I wake up with slight breakthrough (I take medication, but sometimes wake up with symptoms - then it works for me and I can get back to sleep).

Re: RLS and Vibration?

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 10:57 am
by badnights
Hi LucyKayt
I've had vibration initiate an "attack", and I've had vibration soothe one. Mostly the former though. It depends on the frequency of the vibration and I imagine also on its wavelength and pattern of changes in those. There are some fluttery loose vibrations that make me bonkers. The better ones seem to be rougher, more powerful. But I also think some days I would respond differently to the same vibration.

I haven't experimented much because it's mostly a negative experience but even thought I don't think it would work, I would try a Relaxis pad if I could get my hands on one. I would also try a Reflexis or whatever that foot band is called, that is supposed to stop WED/RLS. Basically, I would try anything. (within reason. No soap under the sheets or tying my first-born to a flag pole under a full moon, stuff like that.)

Re: RLS and Vibration?

Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2016 9:25 pm
by ViewsAskew
Just last night - after two nights of 2-3 hours sleep - I found the handheld massager (heavy thing) I have and tried it. It also has infrared and I thought I'd see if the two together would help. I had a severe attack of myofascial trigger points at the same time as as the RLS. I used the massager on my thigh muscles where the RLS was and at first it seemed to help a bit. As the RLS worsened, the massager instead made the RLS worse - and creating PLMS, I believe. And when I used the massager on the hip/buttock with the trigger points, it referred pain down my leg which made the RLS worse. Yeesh.

I should have been more clear in the prior post. Vibrations help me in only when used in one way - and it's specific to female anatomy. For years, people have reported that sex helps, specifically orgasm. Years ago I had an incident where an orgasm triggered RLS, but since then, I've found that sex usually keeps it at bay. Somehow I had the idea to try to use a vibrator with a low rumbly frequency against my vulva and just rest it there - and it worked. The RLS is almost always reduced and sometimes eliminated - I actually just fall back to sleep in a short time, leaving the vibrator on. I often do this in the middle of the night and can get back to sleep. When the vibrations stop, the symptoms come back in a short while.

Re: RLS and Vibration?

Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 9:02 am
by badnights
It's awkward to talk about these things but I'm glad you do. It's important information that can help people. I have used similar tricks - low-grade sexual stimulation can overcome mild symptoms and allow me to fall asleep.

Re: RLS and Vibration?

Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2016 8:07 am
by ViewsAskew
Thanks, Beth, I needed that :-).