Managing RLS through the holiday season
How do you manage your RLS symptoms during the holidays? Do you have food/drink triggers? Does the stress of the busy season make your RLS worse?
Some people with RLS find that their legs are less active in colder weather! Has anyone else experienced this, or does the winter cold worsen your symptoms?
I am a 65 yr old woman and I was 10 years old when I first remember telling my mom at bedtime that my legs were "bugging me".
One thing I have narrowed down in my medicines is whether they are dopamine antagonists. Melatonin can slightly (?) suppress or inhibit dopamine so I steer clear of it. This has been one of the most helplful criteria for me to know how a medicine will affect my Restless Leg . I also research every drug or otc product to see if they aggravate RLS . Pramipexole gave me terrible rebound effects after about 8-9 months of use. I have tried all the Parkinson's meds they prescribe for RLS but they make me depressed after a while. I would rather not sleep than go through that. Gabapentin gives me relief, I don't care for alcohol, I will take ibuprophen and I use a heating pad on my lower back. That was revelation! I had a spinal fusion and used the heating pad for my lower back as I began to heal and I was amazed to find it calmed my legs down. I use one regularly . At night I sit/sleep on one that has an auto shut off at 2 hours. The heat has to be high for it to work the best. I ususally turn it down after a bit. It doesn't always work if i have other stimulants like chocolate/sugar/caffeine or walking a lot late in the day.
Ambien helped me sleep through it but my doctor's office has stopped prescribing it because of the time it took to jump through hoops for Walmart so they would fill it or any other controlled substances for their patients. I know WM is trying to be responsible and careful but for those of us who are responsible it's a big hassle. I could go to a different family practice but I like my Doc. So I"ll continue to do the things I know help and research regularly.
Heating pad*
That's the worst. I know we all do what we can to avoid triggers but sometimes it can't be helped, or you just want to have enjoy a particular food or drink. Sigh. It seems like you have a decent routine going, though. Do you think you might be able to address the issues with Walmart by switching to a different pharmacy? Usually you can get your meds sent anywhere. -Melissa, team member
I have so many triggers it's ridiculous! I think the worst part of winter being cooped up in the house with the heat turned up. My husband gets cold easy.
Usually focusing on something that keeps me busy will give me relief, like sewing or making pottery. If I get too hot, I'll lay under our ceiling fan in the bedroom with the air vents closed.
I have restless legs really bad. It will hit anytime, day or night. My doctor has me on a couple medications which helps most of the time. But when it's bad I can't take extra because it makes me sick.
I guess I'm between the proverbial rock and a hard place!
Hi
. It can be really hard when two people who live together have different temperature tolerances. Would a humidifier help at all? I wonder if the dryness of the hot air might also contribute. Thinking of you. - Lori (Team Member)
No Alcohol
I live in Minnesota and the cold weather seems to really help me. I walk on our deck in the snow, barefoot when my restless legs really good on manageable. As far as the holidays go, red wine is a killer for me, but I’m not willing to give it up to get relief…
I hear you! At the end of the day, you have to decide what you are willing to tolerate, and we all answer that question in different ways. I think it's fascinating that the cold helps you. Some people are like you, while others turn to heat to soothe the RLS symptoms. Just goes to show how there's no perfect solution for every person. I give you credit for walking barefoot in the snow -- I would be in so much pain! -- but I bet you are used to it as a Minnesotan. 😀 Happy holidays! -Melissa, team member
