Kava for severe RLS? Looking for first-time dosing advice
I've had severe Restless Legs Syndrome for over 20 years. I've seen sleep specialists and neurologists and have tried pretty much every first-line treatment and then some—gabapentin, pregabalin, dopamine agonists, iron, etc. Unfortunately, either they didn't work or they stopped working over time.
My doctor eventually prescribed methadone 5 mg nightly, which does help, but I'd really like to find an alternative if possible. I'm trying to stay away from long-term opioid use if I can.
I recently came across kava as a possible herbal option that seems to have a relatively low risk of dependence compared with opioids. I ordered the Kavahana Sleep Bag and I'm waiting for it to arrive.
For those of you with experience using kava for sleep or RLS:
What dose would you recommend for a first-time user?
Should I start low or use a full serving to give it a fair chance?
How long before bed do you take it?
Has anyone here actually had success using kava specifically for RLS symptoms?
I'm not expecting miracles, but I'm hoping it might be a viable alternative. Thanks for any advice or experiences you can share.