Exercise induced RLS!

[Lapsedrunner]

I’ve had a good couple of weeks, seemingly helped by starting some regular B12. During that time I did some decent length hilly walks on holiday.

Last night I did a body pump (weights) class for the first time in a couple of weeks and needed to take a cocodamol, the night before was similar after a run (hadn’t done for a while )

Exercise seems to be my trigger, especially after a bit of a layoff.

This is more of a comment than a question. I’m not going to stop exercising but I’m realising that for me consistency is important!

[Madlegs1]

A number of people find a similar experience.

Something is upsetting the system.

Oh for more research!!!🤪

[LotteM]

This sounds somewhat familiar. If I excercise that is ‘good’ for my RLS, but if I overdo it, that worsens my RLS. It is a delicate balance!

[Joolsg]

I find aerobic exercise can make my RLS worse if done in the afternoon or evening or if I overdo it.

However, I find weight training helps my RLS. Apparently muscle helps us to store dopamine, which helps RLS. As we get older, muscle decreases, so we store less dopamine & suffer more RLS. That's the theory anyway. I do moderate weight training in the early afternoon and I think it helps my RLS.

But it does seem to be a balancing act. Maybe next time try to do the exercise earlier in the day and monitor how it affects you.

Good luck.

[Annieapple]

Definitely a trigger for me. However if I treat it like caffeine & make sure I have it as early as possible in the day It’s ok.

So I have recently taken up running. If I run first thing in the morning..no problem. In fact since running I have had less RLS (unless

I run after 2pm when it then becomes a trigger! ) Strange but true!

[Parminter]

The advice from the boffins is definitely 'moderate exercise', not too near the evening.

You sound like a real athlete, so no doubt this is a great loss to you. Sorry for that.

[Lapsedrunner in reply to Parminter]

Parminter I think “real athlete” is a bit of an exaggeration 😂 I want to be fit enough that’s all!!

I’ve now had 3 nights of more broken sleep in a row (we also have our almost 17yr old dog in our room pacing around...that doesn’t help either!!) This happens sometimes...it’s still not as bad as pre medication (or during augmentation!!) Overall I’m getting enough sleep but you really notice it after a good period of sleep.

[Parminter in reply to Lapsedrunner]

Well, you sound very fit to me. And I take it your name means something.

I wonder if dogs get RLS? I see no reason why not.......

[Lapsedrunner in reply to Parminter]

I used to run regularly, did a few half marathons then did the London marathon and then didn’t run again for ages!!

[Parminter in reply to Lapsedrunner]

I guessed it was something amazing. I am sorry you cannot continue.

I am also amazed by your Venerable Pooch.

[Lapsedrunner in reply to Parminter]

Haha, I can still run, I’m just not very fit at the moment!!

I think I just got fed up with it after all the training (and I developed a hip problem which is sorted now )

It’s a bit off putting when you think something that should tire you out is going to make it difficult to sleep! Thankfully when I was marathon training I was pre augmentation on DAs.

When I’m running/doing weights more regularly they don’t seem so provocative. There’s no real rhyme or reason a lot of the time is there.

“Venerable” she’ll like that!!

[Sumoucat]

Thank you for posting this. Very interesting! I just moved across country in the US. I dreaded the 3 1/2 day car ride, but it turned out not to be too awful (someone shared the driving with me). However, now that I'm unpacking, RLS has been a beast. I'm on my feet many hours of the day, but when I try to relax and put my feet up, RLS kicks in (quite literally) in a couple of minutes. I suspected this was because of the extra punishment my body has been taking, and you (all) have confirmed it.