LHarri9073/Connie Exercise

[Guest guest]

I'm so sorry I didn't read your letter last night........I was up late myself

with problems for a while.

Heel lifts seem to be helping a lot of people. I do stretches where you

stand flatfooted and lean toward a counter, stretching the calf

muscles......good for cramps also. Lifting the leg up on the counter and

stretching gently and slowly.....don't pull anything! Massage helps

some.....sometimes. Vibrators.......yep, you heard right........:-)....some

in the group have nice foot vibrators that seem to be helping a lot if you

stick it out through the initial aggravation of symptoms. Some are using some

kind of a Thumper, that pounds the muscles of the legs.

I've done heating pads and ice packs.....with minimal results different

times.....I love a nice, hot bath.........some don't do well with this. My

son walks his legs up the wall....lol.......I think you'll understand that you

will have to experiment with whatever suggestions you receive from the group,

and see if anything helps you. Leg raises......been there, done

that..........

You HAVE to try everything. Do what you can for yourself before you give in

to medication unless it is interfering with your professional life or causing

you to be in danger from being too tired. If you have to drive long distances

or operate machinery, then you want to get a handle on this as fast as you

can.

I tried it all.......every alternative......even went to night school and got

a " degree " in holistic medicine......ROFL........but cannot honestly say that

I got any benefit from it. You may be different. Don't judge yourself by

me....or ANYONE else. Do your own research and take responsibility for your

own treatment. Concentration can help tremendously. Find some things that

you really enjoy doing for when you're up at night....that you can lose

yourself in........it all depends on the power of YOUR mind and how determined

you are.

Avoid antihistamines and Benedryl if you find they start your legs up. They

do for most, I believe........

I did all right untill I was about 55 years old, then I just started caving in

from lack of proper sleep.......not reaching the right stages even when I did

sleep. This can impact your life tremendously. Don't put up with it.

Explore all the rls sites, print out all the relevant stuff about medications

and treatments to share with your doctor. Read about other people's

experiences. Ask questions.........

If you want professional advice privately, connect with Dr. Levin at

pathdoc@... ---------he will be glad to help you in any way that he is

able to.

I'm sure you will hear from many others in the group........I wish you luck!

Keep in touch.......

Connie, 61, M