Relationship between RLS and CVI
I was curious if anyone here has any experience with a possible link between RLS and CVI (chronic venous insufficiency). I stumbled across this article that suggests a link between the 2 conditions - https://www.veinclinicperth.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/MedForum-Restless-Legs-The-Untold-Story.pdf
I ended up getting an ultrasound on my legs to see if I had CVI and it showed that I have 2 incompetent valves in my right leg and weirdly I have RLS only in my right leg.
I just wanted to share some treatments I've been trying that seem to have made some improvements to the severity of my RLS - at least my long suffering wife has told me she is getting less disturbed when she is trying to sleep.
I previously posted about a possible link between CVI and RLS and while there seems to be no evidence that RLS can be cured/alleviated via CVI surgery I have has some success with these treatments.
In no particular order I started wearing compression socks to bed.
I started taking 2 supplements designed to assist in vein health
One is called "Youthful Legs" the other is "Venoflow" - these are both available on the iHerb website.
I would strongly recommend talking to your GP before taking any supplements as they may not be suitable for everyone but the 3 combined ie Compression socks and the 2 supplements while they have not cured my RLS it seems like the frequency and severity has been reduced which is a godsend for my long suffering wife.
The other thing I've been doing for a while is making sure I don't drink too much fluid close to bedtime as a full bladder seems to intensify my RLS so I always empty my bladder just before bedtime.
There is one more treatment that I have read about but not tried and that is exposure to near infrared. I'd be curious to know if anyone else has tried this treatment and what their results were - https://www.cureus.com/articles/183919-advancements-in-restless-leg-syndrome-management-a-review-of-physiotherapeutic-modalities-and-their-efficacy#!/
Hi
. Thanks for sharing what helps. I am glad you have found some relief and I'll bet your wife is, too! Here is another article about infrared treatment that might interest you: https://restlesslegssyndrome.sleep-disorders.net/living/near-infrared-light-therapy. I have not seen anything in our archives from members who have tried it, so I would love to hear about your experiences if you decide to go through with it. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
Interesting indeed. I have had severe restless legs for the last 20 years. I also have a bad valve in my right leg and notice increasing varicose veins.
Hi
. Do you intend to have surgey on your leg at some point? It would be interesting to see whether it impacts your RLS. Wishing you the best. - Lori (Team Member)
This is really interesting,
. I had not heard of the potential association. Do you plan to get treatment even though it's in the other leg? If you do, it would be interesting to see whether symptoms improve despite the location. I hope it either resolves your symptoms or makes a big difference. Thanks for sharing this. I hope someone chimes in who has had experience with it. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member) Hi
. I wanted to tag you here so you would see this article. It might be something you want to look into. - Lori (Team Member) thanks Lori. I will be booking an appointment with a CVI specialist soon to see what they say. I don’t think the potential link between RLS and CVI is widely known about so I might have to do some looking around to find the right doctor. The clinic in the article I posted is on the other side of the country so I’ll need to search for someone local.
