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RLS + head injury; helpful exercise for RLS; RLS with trunk/arm symptoms persisting after iron infusions;

I have had RLS for 2-3 decades, gradually becoming worse. Over the last decade, I have had sleep disruption. I have nightly symptoms, with leg symptoms at bedtime, and then trunk and arm symptoms at around midnight. I am working with a sleep specialist. Gabapentin helps somewhat. I am also taking magnesium. I have tried pregabalin as well, but after initial improvement, I had worsening symptoms.

I recently completely iron infusions. The leg symptoms are dramatically better. However, the trunk and arm discomfort continues to awaken me at midnight, and lasts a few hours.

I was a long-distance runner from about age 14 to age 55, when arthritis and injuries kept me from running. I then bicycled long distance, but have cut down on the rides since I had 2 concussions with loss-of-consciousness and motor impairment. My sleep disruption was much worse after the 2nd concussion. Now I am trying different exercise--walking hills, yoga, swimming, stationary bicycling. I am still trying to determine the best combination. Currently, I think that intense aerobic exercise + upper body exercise (such as yoga)+ relaxing exercise (such as walking with our dog in the forest) may work. I am glad that I am retired as this is 2-4 hours of exercise per day.

Questions:
1. has anyone else had the leg symptoms resolve with iron infusion, but had torso and arm symptoms persist?
2. Has anyone else found that intense aerobic exercise helps? I am wondering whether I was drawn to this kind of exercise because of the RLS. Could my body have adapted to this exercise, and now have difficulty because I have difficulty exercising at the same intensity now that I am in my late 60s.
3. What kinds of exercise have people found to be most helpful in relieving leg and upper body symptoms?
4. Has anyone else had major head injuries? If so, was this associated with worsening symptoms?

  1. Hi . I hope you get lots of input from the community and that your symptoms ease soon. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member)

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