Helminthic therapy and restless legs syndrome (RLS)

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Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease (WED), is a common, chronic movement disorder in which patients experience an irresistible urge to move their legs, usually combined with uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations. These symptoms, which occur or worsen during rest, usually in the evening and at night, disappear with movement of the legs.

RLS may arise spontaneously or can be secondary to conditions such as renal disease and polyneuropathy. A number of variants of several genes have been associated with RLS risk, [1] and the condition has been linked with inflammation.

RLS is associated with inflammation

Numerous doctors have observed a correlation between RLS and inflammation.

I have thoroughly analyzed every known scientific study that has been done on Restless Legs Syndrome. Taking all of this data into consideration, there is no doubt in my mind that inflammation plays a major role in the occurrence of RLS.
(Dr. Leonard Weinstock, MD, Certified in Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, St. Louis, MO)

Our study suggests that RLS may be mediated through inflammatory or immunological mechanisms.
(Dr. Arthur Walters, MD, Professor of Neurology, Vanderbilt Department of Neurology)

The interesting conclusion of our study is that there is a correlation between Restless Legs Syndrome and an increase of inflammatory cytokines.
(Dr. Giulio Romano, MD, Professor of Nephrology, University of Udine, Italy)

Restless leg syndrome is an inflammatory condition. Doctors don't know the exact cause, but agree that something triggers inflammation that affects the nerve pathways involved.
(Dr. Michael Cutler, MD, Family Physician, Salinas, CA)

RLS appears frequently in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, [2] and it is one of the most frequent comorbidities accompanying the autoimmune disease, multiple sclerosis. [3]

The following papers further demonstrate the link with inflammation.

• Severe recurrent restless legs syndrome associated with systemic inflammation
• Circulating levels of cytokines are increased in restless legs syndrome
• Restless legs syndrome - Theoretical roles of inflammatory and immune mechanisms -- PDF
• Association between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, a new marker of systemic inflammation, and restless legs syndrome -- Full text | PDF

The history of RLS suggests a solution

Although isolated descriptions of RLS began to appear in the latter part of the 17th century, a detailed clinical description was only published in the mid-twentieth century, eventually leading to RLS becoming a well-recognised clinical entity that is now estimated to affect between 5 and 15 percent of US adults and 2 to 4 percent of children, with more than three million new cases appearing each year. [4]

As with many other inflammatory conditions, the incidence of RLS appears to have increased alongside industrialisation, suggesting that it may be one of many conditions the incidence of which has increased in line with the gradual loss of intestinal worms in industrialised societies from the mid 19th century onwards. This loss has created an evolutionary mismatch that has left humans bereft of the powerful inflammation control with which worms have provided our species for millennia, and without which our immune systems are free to attack our own tissues. For more about these inflammation-associated deficiencies in immune function, see Humans need helminths and The rewards of re-worming.

There have been no clinical trials of helminthic therapy in RLS, and it is unlikely there will be any in the forseeable future because living worms cannot be patented, so there is no incentive for anyone to put up the millions of dollars that would be required to mount a trial.

Therapeutic helminths shown to be effective in RLS

This first report is more detailed than the quotes that follow.

• Restless legs syndrome yields completely to hookworms

Several other individuals have reported the successful resoltion of their RLS as a result of hosting therapeutic helminths.

I have had Restless Legs Syndrome since I was about 6. Over the last two decades it had achieved a disabling, sleep depriving fear of having to do an airplane journey of any length, and I was taking at least 2 x 30/500 Co-codamol every night. I was typical of all the poor pitiful sufferers of RLS. (You can check them out in the FB group, Restless Leg Syndrome Worldwide (Latest Expert Updates) Real solutions!) The efficacy of the worms on my RLS is black and white. The first time I inoculated was because someone told me it could help with tinnitus. So several days after I’d inoculated, my girlfriend said, “Hey. You haven’t had restless legs in the last few days!" The worms had no effect at all on the tinnitus, but my RLS completely vanished, like nothing. I could kick back in my office chair with my feet up and actually relax for a whole 30 minutes, or even an hour. Before the NAs (the human hookworm, Necator americanus), I could possibly get 1-2 minutes before being reminded that I’m not allowed to relax. After about 3 months, the RLS slowly drifted back in to its usual level over a couple of months. I assumed I had probably killed off my little friends due to rubbish diet and lifestyle, so I re-inoculated with 15 NA. But it didn’t seem to work so well this time. So I got another 12. This did work a bit but not as successful. So I inoculated with 22 NA about 6 weeks ago, and this time it has been similar to the first go. The RLS went from soul destroying to nothing in less than a week. And, as I type this, I’ve been laying in bed for at least an hour and have no inkling of RLS. It’s like I never had RLS. This has been a revelation for me. I’m sleeping much better, so my business is doing better, and I don’t keep my girlfriend awake all night. The NAs have just cured it. [5]

... my restless leg syndrome is completely gone... (Link expired)

… since taking a recent dose of TSO (eggs of the porcine whipworm, Trichuris suis) I found that, within a few days, my restless legs syndrome has thankfully been reduced to nothing! [6]

For the last 3 years my restless legs would start around 9pm, it was hard to fall asleep. It was getting worse and worse, even when some other symptoms were being helped by the AIP diet. I found that CBD oil helped if I put it under my tongue right before bed, but it still returned every night. It gradually disappeared once I was on NA. It was probably around 20 weeks that I realized it was gone. When I lost my colony, it came back almost immediately. It’s now 10 weeks after my new colony was started and my legs have been mostly calm for about 2 weeks. It’s so great. I’m so thankful. [7]

Since going on hookworms a year and a half ago, the irritability (and also the restless leg syndrome) have gone away. (Link expired)

An added bonus is that (after inoculating with NA) I no longer get restless legs at night when I'm trying to get to sleep. [8]

I have had 3 weeks with Zero RLS (after dosing with 3 and then 5 NA) so I’m hoping my next inoculation may take me to the point of full remission. [9]

See also

• Introduction to helminthic therapy

• Helminthic therapy safety

• Helminthic therapy research

• Helminthic therapy information for doctors

Further alternative therapeutic approaches for RLS

• Evidence-based RLS treatment alternatives, and substances for sufferers to avoid

• Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A New Therapeutic Approach for Pharmacoresistant Restless Legs Syndrome

• Successful treatment of RLS using ICES-PEMF devices.

• High levels of rare gut bacteria may be linked to restless legs syndrome Abstract

Further information about the condition

• Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation website

• Restless legs syndrome: a patient education information sheet from the American Thoracic Society

The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.

Doctor of Medicine (MD, from the Latin Medicinæ Doctor meaning "Teacher of Medicine").

The reintroduction to the digestive tract of a controlled number of specially domesticated, mutualistic helminths (intestinal worms) in the form of microscopic eggs or larvae to reconstitute a depleted biome to treat or prevent chronic inflammation, autoimmune disease and other immune-related disorders, including allergy.

An intestinal worm which grows large enough to be seen with the naked eye when mature but which is microscopic when administered in helminthic therapy. Wikipedia:Helminths

the ability to produce a desired or intended result.

a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.

A helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin.

The species of human hookworm used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin.

the human hookworm, Necator americanus

the ova (eggs) of the porcine (pig) whipworm, Trichuris suis

A helminth with a tapering whiplike body that lives in the colon. In helminthic therapy, the microscopic eggs of either the human Trichuris trichiura (TTO) or pig Trichuris suis (TSO) are taken in a drink.

The porcine (pig) whipworm used in helminthic therapy and taken as microscopic eggs (TSO) in a drink every two weeks.

A helminth that lives in the small intestine. Necator americanus (NA) is the only hookworm species used in helminthic therapy. Its microscopic larvae are applied periodically to the skin.

The introduction of an infectious agent into an organism. Helminth inoculation