A theory

[kevinwright200958]

This question might have been asked and answered before if it did then sorry but... has there ever been a study into where rls sufferes live and the climate they live in? I have a theory but it's most likely wrong and I have a bad bout at the minute so this is keeping me busy. The point I'm getting at is each time we go on holiday to a warmer part of the world I get bad rls. Here at the minute temperatures are much higher than normal. And guess what... i have rls nearly every night.

[Madlegs1]

Temperature does seem to be a factor for some people, but I don't know of any research.

Have you googled it?

[OldHollow]

Almost certainly. Lots of people try to use cooling to ease symptoms, ergo being warmer is likely to worsen them. A don’t think a study to prove it would help much. I just wish there was more research out there about how to actually treat it (rather than just manage symptoms)...

[Eryl]

If your rls is diet related it maight be that we tend to eat differently acording to the weather, but I think it's also the case that many sufferers tend to het hot feet at night, and find some relief by cooling them. That may be because the body restricts blood to the extremities in cold contitions to preserve heat, so if there is something in the blood that causes thr rls, it may help.

[kelirock]

Hello Kevin

I live in the tropics and suffer from RLS badly at times.

My mother lived in a very cold country for all of her life and also sufferer from RLS badly. However, anything is worth researching.

[Mona23]

Ihave definitely found that getting too warm is a trigger - heat and humidity are bad for me as far as RLS is concerned. It’s not a major trigger, but it’s a factor. There seems to be no rhyme or reason. Warm baths help me, but warm temps don’t.

[Pluto46]

Given the mighty heatwaves that are enveloping Europe and Japan at the moment, it's like living in the tropics anyway. And according to the weathermen and women, it's going to last well into August as well. Having said that, I personally haven't noticed any change in my particular version of rls.

[99selkies]

Sorry but the heat theory falls down where I am concerned. I live on the Orkney islands (off the N E coast of Scotland - for our non UK followers) and though we have unusually warm weather at the moment, our temperatures are normally on the low side To put it mildly! (no pun intended) The time of the year doesn't seem to affect my RLS at all

At the moment I am in the process of coming of the Patch. Got it down from 3mg to 2mg Nightly and been given Pregabalin by the neurologist to help the process.

Just started last week so not formed any opinion of this drug yet

Enjoy your day wherever you are

[Hidden]

The temps we are having here in the UK are well above what we normally have and its been relentless week after week, At night is when my RLS has become worse, so heat at night when trying to sleep affects mine. I use a standing fan which blows on my legs and feet all night, i also use something called deep freeze gel or they do a spray too, and that can be helpful to use at night on my legs. ( Dr. B mentions summer RLS on his website where people complain of RLS in the summer months. )

[Parminter]

I live in a climate that goes from freezing in Winter to 40 degrees centigrade in Summer. There is no difference in symptoms for me.

I find that both cold packs and hot packs can help, as can pressure. I consider these to be ways to distract the nervous system from one problem to the next.

Combining pressure and heat/cold can help enormously on bad nights.

So far as diet is concerned, I try to stay away from caffeine, alcohol, refined carbohydrates and anything that increases glutamate and/or is excitotoxic.

Western Caucasians seem to have the highest incidence. But Turkey has a fairly high incidence, and India a fair incidence. For many populations, I think the numbers may not be clear due to lack of research.

I remember a list that said Mali had the lowest incidence, followed by other African countries. But the poverty of Mali may be a factor in either under-estimating or over-estimating the problem to some degree.

If you do not have the requisite genes, and the right epigenetic switches, you're free.

[loggie10]

I use a fan on my feet winter and summer and have used Chillo Pillows wrapped round my feet. Windows are open in all seasons. I have ripped sheets with the continuous kicking. My RLS starts as soon as I consider falling asleep and I find my most comfortable sleep comes at 7a.m. onwards which wastes a good part of the day. If I don't use this time for sleep I am totally exhausted.... but also feel guilty for sleeping inappropriately (as others see it. They have no clue).

I have been taking Lyrica and 5mg of valium at night but they began to stop working so I was really struggling. BTW I have had RLS for 20 years and doctors just ignored me. I now have a sympathetic GP thankfully.

I have been self medicating and using Doxylamine succinate, an antihistamine (sleep aid) at night which helps....for now.

[RSL-RIP]

My husband def worse in summer and on North wind days- but usually ( not always) improves with being by the sea and ocean swimming. I recall that one Sarcoidosis group noticed a summer/winter pattern and felt they needed to avoid high vitamin D. Things like MS occur least at the equator and more the closer to the poles.

Complex picture.

[Casinogoer]

I don't know of any study about climate being a factor when it comes to rls. I find that it helps me to get into a warm tub when the rls is bad. I have a soaking tub but I still splash a lot of water all over for a little bit. Then the legs seem to quiet down. I feel that it relaxes me a good bit and then I can sleep.