Menopause Coincided with RLS

[Deeder]

Hello I’m new here. My RLS seemed to coincide with early menopause. Estrogen is a little sedating and seemed to help. Estrogen is also naturally lower at night. Sugar and alcohol intake seem to be definite triggers and it can take weeks for my system to balance out again when I indulge too much. Still, I have been on sugar free diet for months and still RLS can come up. Just recently went off estrogen completely after 15 years and many months tapering off. Sleep is harder to come by (average 4 hours) and even in the day my calves feel a little tight. I don’t gave RLS pain, it just feels like electrical energy is running through my calves and I need to shake it off. Cannabis is legal here now and I found it helps but it makes me deppressed next day. RLS specific med caused rebound. Muscle relaxers work and anything anti-anxiety but EVERYTHING has a side affect and a price I’m not willing to pay. Valerian root can work if iRLS is not severe. Also I take benedryl and melatonin for sleepinrss. Again, they help but don’t cure. Oddly, eating meat seems to help or maybe its coincidental. Everytime I think I have it figured out it changes. Super frustrating! Inability to fall and/or stay asleep seems to coincide. My schedule is irratic because of it. I’m always trying to catch up on sleep in the day. I would give almost anything to sleep normally.

[LotteM]

Have your iron checked! Especially the ferritin should be higher than 75 ng/l. Ask for the figure, ‘normal’ is not enough. Look up iron and ferritin for more info. Too tired to type it out here and now (midnight). Maybe later if others don’t chime in.

[Madlegs1]

Check out the list of triggers on this site

rls-uk.org

I think benedryl may be a trigger.

Good luck.

[Sunshine458 in reply to Madlegs1]

Benedryl makes me worse!! I cannot take NyQuil or anything like that either!! What knocks a "normal person" out makes my hair grow!!!lol

[Madlegs1 in reply to Sunshine458]

Exactly!

[Joolsg]

There’s definitely a hormonal link for a lot of people. My RLS started in the third trimester of second pregnancy and never went away.

HRT seems to be controversial. Some people find their RLS improves on it, others find it worsens. Likewise menopause.

I hope it improves for you as the hormones level out.

As Lotte says, get your bloods checked and if serum ferritin below 100- take gentle iron ( ferrous bisglycinate) and magnesium citrate.

[Ureshi17]

Hi Deeder,

I also found my RLS was hormonally linked and got a lot worse just before my period started. I’m peri menopausal now and it is getting worse.

Have you tried Bioidentical progesterone cream?

Both Benadryl and melatonin can be triggers for RLS.

Have you tried Kratom? It’s not perfect, but I use it exclusively.

[Sunshine458 in reply to Ureshi17]

What kind of Kratom do you use and how much do you take?? I bought some capsules awhile back and one bag says "Green Kapua" (spelling could be wrong can't read the writing real well??) says "PM" ... 1 tsp of powder= one serving ... 8-10 capsules = one serving ... There's 48 capsules in the bag and it says "Do not eat on an empty stomach"??? I also have another one that says "AM" ... White Thai ... Does this make sense to anyone and if so do I have the right stuff?? I have not taken 8-10 capsules at a time because that seems like a lot at once to me ... But if I take 3-4 capsules I really don't see much response at all?? I would love to find something natural and less side effects etc than Prescription Drugs!!

[involuntarydancer in reply to Sunshine458]

Sunshine, I too take kratom. I started with red vein borneo but have branched out with strains. I think white strains are supposed to be more alerting and that is probably why your White Thai says 'am'. Red strains are supposed to be the most sedating but honestly I don't think there is a huge difference between them - for me anyway. They all quiet the horrible creepy crawly rls. In your shoes I would try a higher dose than you have already of the green strain. It is hard to judge because I don't know the size of your capsules. I usually need about a teaspoon and a half to teaspoons of powder to calm my legs. I find it incredibly useful in dealing with my rls. It only lasts about 3 or 4 hours so you do need a second dose through the night if your rls is persistent.

[involuntarydancer in reply to involuntarydancer]

sorry that should read a teaspoon and a half to two teaspoons of powder

[Sunshine458 in reply to involuntarydancer]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR RESPONSE!! I AM GOING TO TRY IT FOR SURE AND TAKE MORE!!!

[jan_ET in reply to Ureshi17]

how do you get kratom

[Ureshi17 in reply to jan_ET]

I order mine online from the US. However it’s illegal in several countries including the UK and Australia. Many of the sites have moved Kratom to a members onky access. You could email them to inquire.

[jan_ET in reply to Ureshi17]

sorry who do i email and Of Course it would be illegal in Australia we are soooo backward

[Ureshi17 in reply to jan_ET]

I’ve ordered mine from several places including Mood and Mind and Mmm Speciosa ..

mmmspeciosa.com/

Both in the US

They probably won’t ship unfortunately to Australia though. I wonder if anyone is possibly growing it there?

[Ureshi17]

Hi Sunshine,

I always take the “red vein Borneo” strain.. it’s one of the most sedating, calming and pain relieving strains. In general the “red” strains of Kratom are more calming and relaxing than the green strains. I take about a teaspoon at a time (approx 5 grams) mixed in grapefruit juice.. it’s very bitter and unpleasant! I’ve been using it exclusively for 4 years .. and although it’s not perfect, it’s been a lifesaver for me.

The capsules appear to take longer to feel an effect for me...

There are lots of other people who take it in different ways!

Kratom acts on opioid receptors but it is actually a relative of the coffee plant ...and interestingly has many antioxidants like catechins too. It’s very bitter though ..

Me too.. I’m trying to avoid taking pharmaceuticals!

All the very best wishes,

[Sunshine458 in reply to Ureshi17]

Thank you for the encouraging information ... I will try ANYTHING ... I hate the side effects of prescription drugs!!!