Prebiotics and RLS

[EveW]

Following on from the information over the last year or so about the gut biome/ Michael Mosleys book and tv programme, in an effort to se if it helped my RLS, or improved my sleep / general health, I decided to try some bimuno power every night - it is a prebiotic that Mosely took and helped him sleep better, as well as improving his beneficial gut bacteria. Within a few days my legs got worse, so I stopped. I left it for a few weeks, then tried again, and again it made my legs worse so I have had to stop it. Then last week I started drinking Kefir, which is a synbiotic - mixture of both pre- and probiotic - and again I think it slightly worsened my legs. I cant understand why this would happen except that the FODMAP diet is all about decreasing certain foods, some of which are supposed to be very good prebiotics, and I do know that the diet does help RLS in some people - not me, but clearly there is something there.

So, has anyone had this experience of prebiotics worsening their legs, even though they are supposed to be really healthy for us?

[Hidden]

The common link I see between the two is milk powder and products but unless you have not been taking these I'd doubt if they are the culprits. There's definitely hasn't been any other changes that you can think of occurring around the same time?

[EveW in reply to Hidden]

After reading your reply, I looked up what bimuno is made of , and sure enough it is digested lactose / milk sugar. However , I think that the lactose content of kefir is very low. I do tend to go with lactose-free milk, so maybe there is something in it . Thankyou for the idea. Re anything else ? who knows !!! - it is just so hard to pin down bad episodes to a specific thing

[Vichic]

Hi, sorry I don’t understand what a prebiotic is, is it the same as a probiotic ? Which helps restore gut balance if you’ve been on antibiotics?

[EveW in reply to Vichic]

Probiotics contain the (good) bacteria, and probiotics feed them / encourage the growth of the good bacteria. Lots of good info online about both.

[Gillyfran]

Hi EveW

I haven’t tried prebiotic , but I tried to stop caffeine.The first time it gave me really bad leg pain so I went back to tea and coffee.Now six months down the line I decided to try again as I was having a worsening of my RLS . This time, it has taken about 9 days for headaches and general yuckyness to go and my legs have calmed down, so it’s decaff everything for the time being for me.

[FLAME43 in reply to Gillyfran]

I avoided caffeine, it made not an iota of difference and sometimes my rls was worse. Have tried a few times and results the same , though i will only have tea or coffee max twice a day, mostly only one

[EveW in reply to FLAME43]

It is incredibly hard to pin down exactly what makes the RLS worse, or better.

A very frustrating business!!!

[FLAME43 in reply to EveW]

so true, i tried keeping an attack dairy, but i am not a very conscientious record keeper

[EveW in reply to FLAME43]

same here - I always intend to but it is a bit sporadic, although occasionally some things so show up, eg the prebiotics, but even then there is no logical reason for it. Will need to start looking at the phases of the moon next, lol!

[FLAME43 in reply to EveW]

good Giggle Eve, in this affliction we need it. but maybe we should look at the moon. You get wereewolves dont you. be blessed

[EveW in reply to FLAME43]

[Denm27 in reply to EveW]

I've struggled for many years with RLS and tried quite a lot of things. I was told that taking Magnesium, vitamin E and Folic acid would help, it didn't. Some people say Tramadol helps, I was taking 8x 50mg a day, no good. Also Gabapentin can help, I take 3x 600mg, no help. I tried Hypnotherapy, no good. The Hypnotherapist advised trying Pramipexole. I take 1x 0.88mg 20 minutes before going to bed and it's vanished. It went on the first night. It's been about 5 months now and hasn't bothered me for a single night. It's amazing going to bed looking forward to sleeping without watching the clock all night or walking around the house continually. This worked for me and may not help other people as we are all different. But just passing on on what helped me. Good luck if you try it. D

[Jumpey]

I take a pre and probiotic neither of which affect my RLS either way.x

[EveW in reply to Jumpey]

I am pleased to hear that. We are just all so different re what makes RLS worse.

[DicCarlson]

I take a prebiotic fiber supplement along with probiotics, every day in the AM and have been taking it for years, before, during and after RLS - no real effect that I can see.

[EveW in reply to DicCarlson]

Thankyou for your reply.

[fchrist]

yes, whenever I drink kombocha my legs gets worse.

[EveW in reply to fchrist]

Thankyou so much for your reply !

[reedallenbrown44]

No, I have been taking Kefir for many years however I only drink one cup a morning.