Surprising reasons that you have sleeping problems.

I'm sick of not getting sleep and maybe some of my problem

is a habit but mostly it's my legs that keep me up. RLS.

I was researching on webmd.com (very trusted site) about

what keeps me up at night. I found an article that says this...

Courtesy of webmd.com..

Sleep Wrecker 4: Medicine, Vitamins, and Supplements

Some of the most common causes of disturbed sleep are in your medicine cabinet, but you might not suspect them at all. Common drugs, like steroids for asthma and beta-blockers for high blood pressure or heart problems, can keep you up at night.

Despite being called "narcotics," so can opioid drugs for pain. While they relieve pain quickly -- and can make you feel drowsy in the process -- they can also lead to sleep apnea.

Botanical supplements can cause sleep loss, too. Supplements like ginseng and guarana are stimulants. Even vitamins aren't free of risk.

"Vitamins B6 or B12 can give people vivid dreams, and that can wake people up," says Mindell. "It's much better to use those in the morning."

If you're having chronic sleep problems, go to your doctor with a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and supplements that you use. Ask if any of them could be causing your sleep problems

Lastly, they mentioned that having a pet in your bed is one of the

top reasons that people wake up, don't sleep deeply. They

suggest that you sleep without your pet for 3 nights to see how

that works out for you..

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Thanks for the information dear Yikes

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Hi Yikes, Yeap I am like you sick of not sleeping and RLS coming when it feels like it, I would do anything to get a proper sleep, I am Morphine for pain and various other drugs,so I know that is why sleep is difficult, the other thing I find with my RLS is Stress, that really does kick it off, excuse the punn, and then it will go to my arms, the only thing I can do is walk around waving my arms, I look like a Urang u Tang, and I had the b things, so that does'nt help!! I resort to taking a Ropinirole and after a while I can at least sit down and relax, sometimes I can sleep sometimes I just watch the fairies, but I do find that if I am busy and doing something with my brain or hands or out and about, I don't seem to get it sooo much?

I have also noticed with the heat we are having at the moment, it seems to aggrivate it more, and it makes me feel very restless, I am sure it is just the heat, but worth mentioning!!

The only thing with going to the Dr they are always so willing to give you sleeping tabs, and I really don't want them again, or the side effects either. I shall just have to keep busy and put up with it! I must admit that at 3am in the morning I feel at my best even though I have RLS I get up and it is quiet, cool and reasonably dark, and I then sit for an hour and read and it is heaven, I can even sit quietly at the computer and do odds and ends, I think during the day I am always so busy doing things and feeling under pressure to get one thing and another done that this is what causes me to get RLS!! I don't think it helps when my hubby can sit down at any time and sleep for hours and hours during the day, do nothing, go to bed and sleep for anything up to 9hrs! I feel very resentful, and when I am titchy with him, he just does'nt understand. I am sure the reason why I am always doing something and finding jobs is because the minute I sit down to read the paper or book, my mind says, right here we go, she's not sitting down, lets give her Restless legs or arms.

Sorry for moaning, but at times I think you have to get off your chest, especially when you are tired and sometimes almost dropping off, that lovely feeling of not being able to keep your eyes open and BANG the legs start.

Thanks for the info though it was great. Take care.

[pineapple_head]

I've seen a neurologist last week and I too been diagnosed with RLS. She's has put me on pramipexole. I have not started yet because I'm still waiting for the hospital to get the drug. I was shocked to find out about this. It's yet another unpleasant illness that is difficult to treat. Hopefully this drug will help to be able to sleep.

I'm sorry to hear your story. My RLS is not as bad as yours. At the minute I take codeine 15mg and it sends me to sleep. I wonder is I should stay on codeine until it stops working. On the other hand, I'm seeing the neurologist again in 4 months and she'll want to have an update.

I think that I'll see how it goes.

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pineapple_head, It's a choice for me not to take any kind

of narcotic. I could sleep pretty easily on it. Sometimes it

gives me some apnea..so I've been told from the hospital

or I wake up gasping to get that air..seems like the back of

my throat closes enough to either snore (awakens me) or

I feel the effects of pausing my breathing the next day. For

the most part though, it knocks me out and induces some

of the best sleep that I ever had. My legs settle very well.

Over time, I am finding that I need a bigger dose to settle

the legs and to get some sleep. There isn't a doctor that

is willing to give me more strength because the cycle will

continue..I fear that in 4 yrs, I will need a lethal dose to

get the same effects.

My problem was that I was taking double the dose that

my doctor prescribed or I was using it too frequently.

I was getting 30 at a time and I would have the pills

all taken by night 14. Without it, my legs would piss

me off so bad... so I just quit with it all... Those pills

were supposed to last me 90 days. I was supposed

to use them every 3 nights or less.

I relate to your post and that of Widgetlylegs! I am taking

the natural approach with a nutritional doctor.. I am seeking

a cure from eating the right foods, taking less supplements.

My nutritional doctor said that eating food stays in the body

and supplements, synthetic vitamins pass right through without

your body absorbing the nutrients.

There is simply no short cuts in eating.. MC Burger might

taste good but it's killing my body.. I just have to accept it.

I make kale chips, BAKE my veggies or eat them raw..

preparing them in the pot (water soaked) removes most

of the nutrients, vitamins..

[nightdancer]

A very good list of Drugs and Foods to Avoid is on rlshelp.org on the treatment page. SSRI antidepressants, Tricyclic anti-d's, over the counter sleep and allergy meds that contain Diphenhydramine, will all make RLS worse, and most of us will be sent to the edge if we take these, remembering that there is always an exception. But, I know from my personal experience that many over the counter meds are poison for people with RLS. I myself do not have sleep apnea, and I have been taking morphine and hydrocodone for 12 years now without ever upping my dose, except after surgeries when my doc gave me extra ones. I have tried everything else, and those meds are the only ones that work on me. Be careful with the pramipexole and don't let your doctor titrate up the dose too fast, or it ( a dopamine agonist) will turn on you, too. That is called augmentation, or worsening of symptoms. It is common with the dopamine meds, so it is something to keep your eye on, and notice if that starts happening. I wish you good luck, and we are here for any questions and to support, for sure.

[nightdancer]

I forgot to add that everything can have side effects, no matter what it is, even just an aspirin, for anyone at any time, so it is good to keep a diary. It is very helpful to you and to your doctor to keep a med/symptom/sleep diary. It makes every appointment that much easier.