Stress

[Hoochybaby]

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!!!!!

[Arkangel]

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!

[CrazyLadyLegs]

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 😩.

[RoadRunner44]

I hope you get things sorted soon and the RL will ease.

[Woody4]

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.

[Hidden]

Shows how some of us are different. Stress doesnt affect my RLS, but it does start my IBS off.

[restlessnana6]

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!