Soap?
Many of you out there that actually know me, know that I've been battling these weird leg twitches, usually when I'm sitting down or laying down. In rare circumstances, they even twitch when I'm standing or walking. It's not a little twitch either. If I'm standing, they're pretty... um... "violent". I mean, it almost looks like I'm kicking somebody.
So, last week, Carol is reading some health column in a local paper (Daily Herald), that said: If you suffer from Restless Leg Syndrome (Which I don't think I have), try this to stop your twitching at night -
Put a bar of soap under your sheet. Does not work with Dial or Dove.
HUH? WHa...?
So, we grabbed a bar of Coast and threw it under my sheet last Friday.
HAVEN'T TWITCHED AT NIGHT SINCE
What the hell does a bar of soap have to do with this???????
Soap therapy cleans up leg cramps
By DR. PETER H. GOTT
DEAR DR. GOTT: I don't know how the soap-under-the-sheet technique works for leg cramps, but it does.
I have been diagnosed with restless legs syndrome and, since using the soap therapy, have had no symptoms.
I now can sleep through the night for the first time in many years. Thank you for the tip.
DEAR READER: Since I first published this remedy for nocturnal leg cramps, I have received dozens of letters from readers who endorsed this novel approach.
Recently, I also received mail from patients with restless legs syndrome, a serious and uncomfortable disorder of unknown cause. These RLS patients have had success with the soap.
Although it would be irresponsible of me to endorse this as a cure for RLS, the initial responses have been overwhelming. I'll update you in a future column as I receive more feedback from readers.
To review the technique briefly for people who may have missed previous columns, here is what to do: Take a bar of soap (large or small, new or used, but no Dial or Dove) and place it under the bottom sheet of the bed in the area of the feet and legs. Go to sleep and see what happens. If you sleep, undisturbed by leg cramps or RLS for a full night, let me know. Of course, write me if the technique is ineffective. I'm looking for honest and objective analyses.
Dr. Peter Gott: Scientist says soap does indeed cure leg cramps
Dear Dr. Gott: You asked to hear from readers experienced with the soap cure for leg cramps.
Let me begin my answer by saying that I am a college graduate and a professional scientist who is naturally skeptical of unproven treatments and cures.
However, I do have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and check in periodically with the related Web sites (such as www.copd-international.com) to check on recent updates. For decades, I have been troubled by leg cramps that disrupt my sleep five to 10 times a night. All the standard therapies, including quinine pills and massage, have been ineffective. Several people on the Internet have touted the soap cure: a bar of soap placed under the mattress cover near my legs.
Did this sound ridiculous? You bet. But I gave it a try. Did it work? Yes, indeed. I haven't had a cramp since.
The proper technique is simple. Unwrap a fresh bar of soap (don't use Dove) and discard the wrapper. It doesn't need to be a huge, bath-size bar; even the small bars common in hotels work for most people. Then place the unwrapped bar directly under the bottom sheet or on the bed where the legs are usually located. That's it.
Some people may need to rub the legs with an extra bar of soap, but, in most instances, this is not necessary. The cramps are gone. Why? I haven't a clue.
Dear Reader: Nor have I. But I am publishing your letter - which is one of dozens I have received since mentioning the soap cure for leg cramps - because the therapy is, apparently, an effective preventive for a common human malady. In such circumstances, we probably don't need an explanation of how the technique works, but it does. Thanks to you, and other readers, for writing.
Yes, I scoffed and laughed over the idea when several ladies were discussing this at a gathering in Sept. but the ladies who had tried it all swore it cured them of leg cramps. So one night after getting up with cramps in both feet I grabbed that bar of soap and thru it in the bed, and slept good the rest of the night. That was mid Nov. the only two nights that I've had cramps werewhen we visited over Thanksgiving and I was so grateful to be back at home with my little bar of soap in the bed. What a cure. No more cramps.
Alleulia! It works. I'm spreading the word.
I have been having nocturnal leg cramps the last month or so. Some of the cramping is severe. A friend told me about the soap.... I listened and did not believe it. Then one nite the cramps hit me again and I thot, "what the heck have I got to lose?'" I put the bar under the bottom sheet and.... no more cramping- or at least a bare minimum. Don't know why, don't care why, Just thankful.
I broke my heel 7 months ago, lotsa pain in my ankle. Getting out of bed in the a.m. was a nightmare, decided to do the soap thing, it hasn't cured it, but, I do not hop around as much when I get out of bed. Also, if you have an infection, add sugar to a little melted bar of soap and it will "draw" out the infection. This is an old country remedy.
I have painful spasms from MS, & sometimes baclofen and/or quinine are just plain ineffective. I'll try the soap thing, and let you know how it goes. If it works, I'll let a lot of other MSers know about it!
Doctor Gott DID NOT come up with this "soap for leg cramps" therapy as he has erroniously claimed. Peter H Gott is a plagiarizing egomaniacal idiot who got his license to practice out of a Cracker Jack box! I would take everything that "Doctor" Gott says with a grain of salt!
Thank you,Thank you. It does work! I have tried everything
including meds. How great to do something and not have to take any medicine. I am so greatful.
Do you think the fact that lye is used in making all soaps
(except Dove and Dial).could be some help?
Let me know what you think!
Loretta
Read about the soap under the sheet and brought it to my wife's attention. She tried it and now is not taking medication. I had a sore back, so I tried it and my back is much better feeling. Don't knock it if you have not tried it.
Am trying the soap method and so far it is working. Anything to get a nites sleep
I'M AGE 62 AND A MUSICIAN. THE
QUININE TABS AT BED TIME STOPS
MY LEG CRAMPS EXCEPT FOR THE
NIGHTS I PERFORM. AFTER STAND-
ING FOR FOUR OR FIVE HOURS CON-
TINUOUSLY, I'M OUT OF BED EVERY
TWENTY MINUTES OR SO WITH A
CRAMP, TRYING TO "WALK IT OFF".
LONG STORY SHORT---- NO CRAMPS
SINCE THE SOAP!! UNBELIEVABLE!!
I used the soap and it works.
Still cannot believe my good fortune
after years of suffering.
Never even leave home without my
bar of soap, took it on my cruise and
the steward was baffled by soap in
the sheets. Had a good laugh about
that one.
Yes, the soap bar works..how I do not know! But my guess would be the lye and the warmth of your bed..I've had a bar in bed for 7 days and have had great nights of sleeping..
DON,T NO WHY ,AND I THOUGHT IT RIDICULOUS BUT IT WORKS ..WENT AWAY FOR A 3 DAY WEEK END .. BY THE SECOND NIGHT I WAS UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ;;., I WILL TAKE MY SOAP WITH ME FROM NOW ON THANKS DOC.
The soap trick works! I use the blue Lever bar. If it gets too far away under the sheet, I get the cramps. So keep it close by. Mom and Dad and a sister told me about this, and swore it would work, so I tried it. What have you got to lose? Now, could someone give me a natural cure for acid reflux?! And gray hair? Hahahahahah
I have never read, Anywhere, where Dr. Gott takes credit for the soap in the bed therapy for leg cramps!!! Suze
2008
2006- She's home
2005- Back to Bull
2003- Wolves 4 - Maple Leafs 1
2002- Stiff