Vein Surgery for RLS?

Never read anything in RLS book or forums about this. Sounds very dubious to me. As I understand it, it is a chemical balancing act controlled by the brain!

That's varicose veins when that happens, I've had varicose veins stripped but RLS is different all together it's to do with the nerves in your legs

dONT DO IT WITHOUR REFERFENCE TO THE MOST UP-TO-DATE EXPERTS AVAILABLE

I have read lots about RLS over the years and I have recently seen just two references to the "blood pOoling" theory (one of them being yours)   Most experts agree that its something to do with your brain and its communications to the muscles or messages from your nerves..   This surgery sounds very drastic and dont forget that RLS seems to have many guises so what works for one doesnt necessarily work for another.

There are quite a few people who are relieved by drugs (also called medicine) for many years.  In my case I have had adverse reactions to the medicines I tried.  I would have tried others but my symptoms are almost completely gone since I started on the Monash University FODMAP diet.   Invented for IBS it helps RLS victims in many cases, its free  its natural  , its hard to do because the first phase is very restrictive.  On the other hand how would you like 8 hours sleep in one night?

Search for FODMAP in this forum and on the web.   There is a stack of info around.   Most experts recemond you get a professional dietician to guide you but this doesn't have to cost a lot if you talk to your GP.   Make sure the dietician claims to be familiar with the FODMAP diet and spend maybe 6 short weeks or perhaps up to 12 short weeks to see if it works.    There are a lot of things you can try before you let some surgeon loose on you legs to chase "blood pooling"

It seems extraordinarily unlikely

Hi,

I am a regular on PMR forum, and just ran across this discussion, on RLS and vein surgery, by accident.

so, I've had RLS, for as long as I can remember.(65+ years, or more)

As the years have gone by, it has gotten progressively worse, and more frequent. It is now continuous, and occurs, whenever I am tired, each day.

when it starts, I get out and walk, ride the treadmill, take a hot bath,etc.,and ometimes it works, sometime,not.

i have tried everything that I have heard about. I am unable to sit, sleep, when it starts, And I constantly pace. Just to give you an idea.

2 months ago, saw the vein doc, because ankles and feet were blue (pooling) and that concerned me.

i told the doctor about my RLS, as an aside, and asked if surgery might help , 

He said, 'yes,'

I talked to my Rheumatologist, and he said he didn't know anything about veins.

i decided to go ahead with the surgery, and am three weeks out.

Because, it affects the little nerves in the legs, I cannot give you an honest evaluation of the results, quite yet.

i will say that for the last few days, I actually am able to fall asleep.

i still don't get a good nights sleep, but will let you know more, in another

Month.

one other thing I forgot to mention: I find that eating less, at night, seems to help.

barb

Hi Tic,

i would say that I have less intense bouts of restlessness than prior to the surgery.(most of the time)

i also do not suffer each night, as I did before, but I see that I failed to mention that I am, and have been taking  Med's (mirapex .5 mg)for several years.

However, if I am fatigued, and in a confined area, like a car, I will still suffer for hours.

i hope this info is helpful.

barb

I've had RLS/Willis/Ekbom disease since I was young, 65 now.  About 7 years ago, I had a MD convince me that the vein surgery would, "cure" the RLS.  It was a big, fat lie!  Did nothing at all to help the RLS symptoms and the veins will just come back.  The disease is not in your limbs, it's in the brain.  The same part of the brain that causes Parkinson's disease.  That's why Parkinson's disease drugs are prescribed for RLS.  Save your money and your legs and don't have the vein surgery for the RLS....it won't work.  

If you don't have swelling or protruding veins, I'd say you're too young to have this vein procedure make a lick of difference. If you've been going several years with a RLS diagnosis, and never had to try a Rx, then you might not have RLS. I feel as if this is sometimes a dumping ground diagnosis, for undiagnosed leg issues. I'd recommend trying diet or exercise changes first. I was diagnosed 2 decades ago, luckily I found a neurologist 16 years ago who found the right med for me. It saved my life honestly. But I still hunt for the underlying cause. I definitely have iron issues and flare ups on sugar, and artificial sweeteners. Try other things before vein surgery, would be my advice. Best of luck!