I just want to say that I think stress plays such a big part with rls.
I am currently on holiday and have remarkably good sleep for over two weeks then out of the blue my daughter phoned to say there was a gas leak at my property and the gas people had turned the gas off because there was a leak inside the house. I had to make umpteen phone calls to different people and despartments none of them wanting to take reponsibity ( you know the scenario) " it's not our problem " I was faced with a stressful situation still not resolved and I will have to deal with it when I get home. The result was severe rls and insomnia last night and I had been doing so well but hey isn't that life!!!!!
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Hoochybaby
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Just when things were going so well, I am sorry. I hope you get it sorted without too much further stress - and yes, it does sort of prove a point. No stress = peaceful legs!
I agree that stress certainly increases the likelihood of an RLS night but unfortunately that’s why a lot of people wrongly assume RLS is “all in the mind” and can be controlled by how we think!
However know we know the RLS is a PHYSICAL condition not a mental one. But like most other conditions they always seem more likely to accelerate when we are stressed. Why I don’t know, but my theory is that stress releases a mass of hormones into an already weakened, tired, body and brain; thus causing it not cope with the added problems and our bodies go into overdrive with whatever condition we are suffering from.
I am certain there will be a medical reason for this and also equally certain some would still disagree with my theory but hey ho, I am entitled to my own ideas!
All I know is that whether I am stressed or relaxed I can and will have bad nights. There is no rhyme or reason to it, certainly not in my case, believe me I’ve tried looking for a pattern and there isn’t one.
Sometimes like you, I have great nights when on holiday and relaxed but it’s not always the case. I wonder if perhaps I am never truly relaxed 🤔
What a dreadful situation for you! I do hope that you get the gas leak sorted and you can enjoy the rest of your holiday, I feel for you, as I know I would’ve had exactly the same reaction as you. You’re right though, it’s just amazing isn’t it, why can’t the “good things” in life be ‘typical” instead of the “c**p” things 😩.
I also have more RLS symptoms when I’m stressed. Back in the day before much was known about it, my father had many sleepless nights. He was eventually was put on 1 Valium before bed every night. And that fixed him. Raised through the depression, he was a worrier for his family. When my pramipexole doesn’t work, I get up, take a Valium and usually within 20 minutes I’m sound asleep. Trouble is the Drs think I’m just trying to get the Valium or Xanax for recreational use. I guess sleep can be considered recreation when you have RLS.
Shows how some of us are different. Stress doesnt affect my RLS, but it does start my IBS off.
Stress does not cause RLS but it can make it worse. RLS is a medical condition not a mental disorder! Believe me i spent years being told it was all in my head and finally i found a dr who understood. Keep looking!
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