RLS driving me mad
Posted , 15 users are following.
I've had RLS as long as I remember but I can't cope with it any more. Any time I sit down it comes on bad and no hope of falling asleep. I have been trying to sleep for 3 hours now but I cannot keep still and the jerking and stretching doesn't stop for a second. Desperate for relief..
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justpassingby Blewbird
Posted
I've had RLS for about 5 years and it comes and goes. It seems to be worse when I eat too much sugar and drink alcohol. I prefer not to take prescription medications so I did a lot of research on this and it seems that RLS may be an underlying symptom of an overall autoimmune disorder. So, I first cut out all added sugar since sugar is one of the worse offenders for triggering autoimmune disorders. I also cut out alcohol because alcohol is a neurotoxin and RLS is fundamentally a neurological disorder of the muscles. I started taking Magnesium supplements because muscle control depends on having sufficient amounts of Magnesium to function properly and not cramp, which is how my RLS presents. But, I was still having problems - random flares at night right after I would go to bed. So, clearly I needed to do more. I learned that autoimmune disorders are exacerbated by Iron deficiencies. I didn't have a blood test but I know that I have been borderline anemic all my life so I am assuming I am probably Iron deficient. I found a good source of Iron - Floradix - available in health food food store or online. I also learned that Vitamin D helps boost the immune system and helps control autoimmune disorders. Most people are Vit D deficient, I assume I am too. So I started taking Vitamin D3 (I've since learned that if you take Vit D3 you should also pair it with K2 to help absorption). Since I starting the Iron, Magnesium and Vit D I haven't had any flare ups. It seems like all of this - diet and supplements is finally working. I'm hoping at some point I can get to the root cause of the RLS - whatever my autoimmune disorder is because it's affecting me in other ways but until then I keep this regimen. Do your own research and good luck!