I am glad you found something that works for you. Once in awhile I have terrible leg cramps, usually when I don't drink enough water.

Sue

Thank you. I had no idea they were so readily available. In addition to restless legs, for which I take gabapentin, I also grind my teeth at night. I have been wondering if TENS would work for that.

Raven, your not on a blood thinner are you? Only reason I ask is I knew someone that was and unknowing that blood thinners and Tens units were a big no no she bled out internally from It.

So sorry to hear about your RLS, Raven.

You probably know that some things can exacerbate it -- caffein, alcohol, antcholinergic medications (or medications like muscle relaxants).

I've noticed that some medications prescribed for this can have some unpleasant side effects. I cannot think of the names, but IIRC some caused dyskinesia.

On simple medication that works is low dose trazadone at bedtime -- perhaps 15 to 40 mg. No apparent side effects for females. Trazadone is an older (inexpensive and understood profile) "antidepressant". But like a lot of those older medications, it's found other uses over the years. It takes about 10 to 15 minutes to take effect.

Is this a new situation for you?

I've been taking Neurontin (brand name of gabapentin) for restless leg syndrome for over 15 years. It's prescribed by my sleep doc. I take it every night without fail and never have a problem. I rarely wake before morning but if I do it's for a bathroom visit. I take the brand version rather than the generic because the generic doesn't work effectively for me.

Sleep matters were discussed in a recent thread. Anyone who has trouble getting to sleep or staying asleep should see a sleep doctor. The treatments and therapies they provide can be life changing. There's more involved than just personal comfort because the failure to get normal sleep can have a very negative impact on many parts of your body and on your health overall.

No I have had it for a long time. I am not on any blood thinners no. It's always a good idea to check with your doctor when trying something new. My doctor is actually the person who suggested that I get a tens several years ago for my back. I can't imagine how using a tens could cause internal bleeding. The side effects of the prescription drugs for it are why I am not going that route. Sometimes we have to weigh it out.

I gave my sister's each one of the Omron tens machines for Christmas one year and they have been using them for a while now and tell me how glad they are to have them. We all suffer from the dreaded rheumatoid arthritis and its affect on our backs, tens has made a difference.

My mother had that issue and swore by the bar of soap under the sheet at the foot of the bed.

I even tried that! No luck.