I have had a particularly bad few nights with my RLS, waking every 2 hours & taking at least half an hour to get back to sleep.
I then noticed that we are heading for a full moon and wondered if there was a correlation. There is scientific research showing the full moon does affect sleep and I have read anecdotal reports that RLS worsens at this time.
telegraph.co.uk/news/scienc...
sciencedirect.com/science/a...
Has anyone else noticed this pattern or am I "howling at the moon"?
The full moon doesnt make any difference to my RLS. BUT you are not alone, on other RLS groups alot complain about their RLS seems to get worse with a full moon.
Hi Joolsg, My RLS is always much worse during full moon week. My sister also suffers during this time. So, I guess we will just have to go out and howl to feel better, LOL
Interesting idea. My RLS is quite well controlled, provided I am not over- or underdoing things, so I can’t say about the full-moon effect. I have been more alert / less sleepy the last few days. Does that count?
Lichen the reply Raffs.
I too have had some very bad nights, and days this last three nights. It would be a relief to find a lunar reason for the worsening situation. I'm going insane with the awfulness of my legs lately and spent time in tears today desperate for sleep. If I knew they would improve in a few days, I would be thrilled. I'll keep and eye on the moon for the next few months. Thanks Jools for the suggestion. 
Sitting at any time my leg can cramp an toes bend out in un natural way or at night usually 1 leg will twitch an spa's am I bend it up so tight it pops an hold Fer a few minutes bent backwards my doc gave me 6 mg neuopro patches they rip my hide changing them but are a God send as is the Lyrica for my nuropathy am on gabapentin an tramadol before I'd be on the floor in a ball almost a grown man in tears for years till now no amount of exercise nor vitamins have helped as much as what I'm on now..I almost have a normal life..I will admit it was so bad I considered ending my life..
PoundPup,
It sounds to me like you are in full blown Augmentation. Please read the pinned post about it.
6mg Neupro patch is the reason- no doctor should agree to a dose that high. I suspect you are over the pond in the USA so let us know what state you are in and someone may know an RLS expert who can help you get off such a high dose.
When I was on Ropinirole, I used to get those unnatural leg and toe cramps as well as the increased intensity RLS at all times.
Withdrawal is really difficult and needs to be done with your doctor's help as you will need more tramadol to get you through it. If cannabis is legal where you are, that will also help withdrawal.
Please read all you can about augmentation and withdrawal because I guarantee the doctor who put you on 6mg Neupro is not knowledgeable about RLS. The more you educate yourself about RLS, the stronger you will be.
Once through withdrawal, tramadol and gabapentin should work to control your RLS. Raising your iron levels will also help both withdrawal and your ongoing RLS. Raise serum ferritin above 100 and serum iron above 60. Oral pills will take longer than an iron infusion- if your levels are low you should be able to get an IV infusion of ferrinject ( Injectafer) in the US.
Many of us have seriously contemplated suicide, particularly during augmentation and withdrawal but once off the dopamine agonists, you will feel much better.
Stay strong and let us know how you get on.
Thankyou yes USA America with a lunatic leader hehehe I live in florida an have been dealing with this Fer 18 years...I switch between the Lyrica. ..a few weeks er month er so...then tramadol...the gabapentin just isent strong enough..my spinal cord damage from car reck was severe.I am luck I can walk...the 6 mg neuro was prescribed by Cleveland clinic as was the 900 mg I built up to of lyrics over a few years..I'm at a point were they offered a ..pardon me being stupid about this... but some kinda thang they can operate an put in my back an it will release medicine...the car accident my seat belt broke I felt nothing...but my head hit the post..he was going 64 mph I was setting still....the brain injury I'm at a 6th grade level I lost all world history an my past..I've been re learning Fer 19 years I'm so grateful I'm alive..I no other's suffer worse then me..I'm in awe you responded..thankyou from my heart..I'm lucky the fentanyl path 15 mg every 24 hours an 2 oxiecotton pills...was taking them Fer bout 2 years..but clinic forced me to take 2 pills a day even if 1 would help..? I quit going an the cleveland clinic started me on lyrica tramadol an the neuro 6 mg..they gave me 6 boxes samples..I wear one patch Fer bout 4 er 5 days..the prescription is Fer a patch less Mg..I am so fortunate lucky I never had any side effects or withdrawal problems quitting abruptly .the narcotic ..I adopt abused animals from shelters an find loving homes ..it keeps me on a 9 to 5 an am finally sleeping at night..with their schedule.t keeps me active an I feel needed...? Le'Roy an clyde
Yes I have thought for a while that a full moon aggravates my rls. Two nights ago this was the case. And it is full moon time here.
Full moon (rls) I say yes mine is always worse during the full moon
Me too Joolsg, it's really bad at the moment - New Moon. And can't sleep. Happens every time.......
Interestingly, since I started Buprenorphine, the moon no longer affects me at all. It still covers my RLS 24/7.
My restless legs are worse around a full moon time. I take 2 x Temgesic (Buprenorphine) and it does not give me the relief I need. For about 4 nights I am awake most of the night . I finally get to sleep about 5.00am and sleep till midday or later during a full moon period. Usually I am not initially aware it is a full moon until I google it. Then I realise why my medication is not being effective. This is a pattern I became aware of many years ago. My sleep specialist thinks I am crazy making this observation. During a full moon period my whole body feels creepy, not just my legs.Kind regards Julie from Western Australia.
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