Rls and asthma?

[Sugamama321]

I noticed that a lot of times when the rls is bad, I am wheezing. I have an inhaler, but rarely use it, since I don't often have issues...usually happens if im exercising or in very cold weather. But now, I've noticed the rls connection. I googled, and sure enough, there are studies done that show people with asthma have higher incidence of rls. I searched this site, hoping for info, but couldn't find posts about it. Im sure there must be...if someone could direct me there I'd appreciate it

[Madlegs1]

I wonder is inflammation a factor?

[Hidden]

I've found at least one study showing that someone with asthma is more likely to have RLS

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/2...

here's another

rc.rcjournal.com/content/63...

[Eryl]

Yes inflammation is a factor. It could be due to sugar, gluten, nightshades or disease. I started to avoid added sugar about 18 months ago and my rls reduced drastically within a few weeks. After 9 months it became a rare occurrence and I noticed that my breathing had improved. As I researched more I came across the name of Prof Robert Lustig and learned that fructose without fibre is a chronic toxin. So I gave up fruit juice as well and now my rls if gone. I have also given up eating wheat regularly and feel better still. As if the gluten was causing subliminal levels of inflammation with no specific symptoms except that with them gone I feel fresher and younger.

[Sugamama321 in reply to Eryl]

Thanks so much for your response. I'd love to hear more about how you kicked sugar.

[Sara_2611]

Hi

I dont have asthma so obviously neve experienced the two together so dont know the answer unfortunately. I can only suggest you dicuss with your gp

[Eryl in reply to Sara_2611]

I didn't have asthma, but noticed that when I sighed or yawned I got a real lung full of air, and when out cycling my average speed was creeping up quickly. In my cycling club, i'm now in the top 10-20 on most road sections and the top half dozen on some sections. At 66 yrs old I don't think that's too bad.

[Eryl]

No problem. If you find what Lustig has to say on youtube and realise that fructose in regular doses is toxic, you'd have the willpower to cut it out. In the early days I relied on Blueberries when I needed a 'sweetness hit' but that's not very often now.

[Goldy700]

Hi Sugarmama - It is possible you are sensitive to histamines and your asthma attack would be when you have high histamine levels and this can be associated with RLS.

"In a study at John Hopkins University, scientists discovered that histamine receptors were substantially higher in RLS patients.

"We examined histamine receptors in substantia nigra tissue obtained from the RLS Foundation's collection of RLS brains (6 females) and from age-matched controls (6 females) from the Harvard Brain Bank. In the nigra, histamine receptor 3 staining was more intense in 5 of the 6 RLS patients as compared to their age-matched controls. Histamine receptor 2 staining followed a similar pattern: staining was more intense in RLS nigra 4 out of 6 times as compared to controls. The staining was primarily confined to the neuromelanin cells."

Richard P. Allen, James R. Connor, Amanda M. Snyder and Christopher J. Earley - "Restless Legs Syndrome and Histamine" Neurology Department, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

verywellhealth.com/what-is-...

rlcure.com/histamine.html

[Sugamama321 in reply to Goldy700]

Thanks so much, Goldy700! Would that be why benadryl sends me to restless total body hell?

[Goldy700 in reply to Sugamama321]

Yes Sugarmama - avoid Benadryl

"Certain medications can cause or worsen RLS symptoms. Examples include:

older antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)

antinausea drugs such as metoclopramide (Reglan) or prochlorperazine (Compro)

antipsychotic drugs such as haloperidol (Haldol) or olanzapine (Zyprexa)

lithium (Lithobid)

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), or escitalopram (Lexapro)

tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) or amoxapine (Asendin)

tramadol (Ultram)

levothyroxine (Levoxyl)"

[Jelbea]

Dear Sugamama, I have a theory that low blood oxygen levels make RLS worse x hence being in a crowded place with perhaps poor ventilation always makes me worse. In this respect I would feel that someone with asthma might have lower oxygen levels. If you google this you will find lots to support this theory. I had worked this out from my own experience and if I can get some good lungfuls of fresh cool air this helps straightaway.

[Sugamama321]

Thank you, Jelbea. The research supports your theory. When asthma is managed well, rls symptoms improve. I have been lax with my asthma because it's not severe, but I'm going to be more diligent keeping the wheeze away.