Moving

[RLSdaily]

Ok so can anyone explain why RLS gets better when you get up (stand) and move?

[Madlegs1]

Distraction.

[Hidden in reply to Madlegs1]

I agree. It seems as if it should be more complicated than that, but I don’t think it is.

[RLSgirl]

There is a chiropractor out in California that I heard mention RLS on one of his videos on youtube. John Bergman is his name. I wish I could remember it in more detail, but the gist of what he said was that his theory on RLS was at least in part due to nerve damage from environmental and food toxins and from poor alignment. If a nerve is being pinched or in anyway not working at 100% for extended periods of time it can cause more permanent damage. He thinks that it could be that the nerve is not getting enough feedback, and that movement fixes that feedback loop.

I don’t in anyway think that his theory is a totally answer to the question. I think RLS goes deeper than just nerve damage. but I do keep that piece of information tucked away in the back of my mind as I feel it does make some sense, and could hold a key to finding answers. He says he has had success treating people with RLS. I only wish he were anywhere near me so I could be a patient and see if it makes a difference for me.

[Hidden in reply to RLSgirl]

Dont listen to a chiropractor. If you want proper info about RLS, then look for Dr, Early video's on utube,

[RLSdaily in reply to Hidden]

I will listen and try about anything (within reason) I would sleep on my head if it helped LOL, I will check out Dr Early.

The John Bergman kinda makes sense, more than they say about low iron anyway. ( yes I take iron) ( and mag) oils.... movement is my only relief.

[Hidden in reply to RLSdaily]

I understand that, i think we all would try anything if we NEW it would work. Low iron or having a low ferritin level and raising it is not the answer for everyone. Its not the answer for me. Magnesium in any form, the RLS experts would tell you doesnt help RLS, they say its a placebo effect if it works. I take it you dont take any meds for your RLS. ?

[RLSdaily in reply to Hidden]

I do an I hate them

mirapex

[John_naylor]

I read the following somewhere and it makes some sense to me. It’s partially due to our internal clock. We should go into rest mode at night and Dopamines are there to tell the body to settle down and become inactive. We don’t have sufficient Dopamine or our brain receptors are inefficient and so our body doesn’t want to settle down. The brain sends messages to our limbs and we get a sensation (RLS!) telling them to move.

Those of us with low iron have low efficiency receptors and boosting iron can help. Those with insufficient Dopamine can use DA’s to increase the level. Our body clock is important and regular bed times and activity times are important (physical activity best between 5-7pm we were told?). Anybody confirm these theories? Rest and relaxation between 8-11pm is important for me. Was driving till midnight last night and that’s why I am here now writing this nonsense instead of sleeping in bed!

[Hidden in reply to John_naylor]

We have enough dopamine, its the dopamine receptors that are faulty, they dont transport the dopamine to where it should go. Not everyone can take the dopamine meds for various reasons, and the iron doesnt help everyone. Those who have tried everything and its failed find that opiates work really well, IF they can tolerate them. Sleep hygiene, my opinion, doesnt apply when having RLS, not everyone can stick to those rules, RLS will pop up whenever it feels like, its not taking notice of your going to bed the same time getting up the same time. Its is best to take exercise earlier in the day than later, that seems to work for most and try to relax in the evening, IF your legs let you actually sit still. SOME of these things work for some , some dont. This condition is unpredictable, and seems to always catch us out no matter what we do.

[John_naylor in reply to Hidden]

If our receptors are inefficient then we need more Dopamine, don’t we? I very much believe that we are all different and so need different solutions eg iron only works for some (not me!). I too can’t take DA’s and rely on an opiate. Don’t know how important sleep hygiene is but if I break the pattern (which I often do) it bites me back! The presentation at the AGM gave us 5-7pm as the ideal exercise time and many in the room said that exercise didn’t help them but admitted they exercise in the morning. I was trying cycling each morning but had to stop due to surge in RLS.

Do you think that the bit about the body clock and the Dopamine’s job to slow the body down is correct? And are our sensations due to brain signals to limbs? Interesting stuff!

[ironbrain]

Possibly it's just the (much) stronger nerve impulses when we move. Parkinson's sufferers can have quite effective movement control when there's a very strong need for some kind of movement. Whether it's dead neurons (Parkinson's) or non-existent receptors (RLS), the stronger impulses still manage to get transmitted using what still works.

[Parminter in reply to ironbrain]

Have you seen the video of Parkinson's sufferers dancing? I think it appeared on the BBC. They are assured and graceful, quite lovely to see.

[Graham3196]

I have sent a list of things that have helped some people to you by private message.

Graham