Restless Arms

[cjharket]

I have restless arms as soon as I start settling into bed. I don't get it in my legs. It's driving me mad. I've changed to de-caff tea a few hours before bed but it hasn't improved. I recently started back working at my stables & since then it has become worse. Please help. Clare

[Eryl]

I've cured mine by changing to a low carb diet. Could it be that you're eating differently when working, like a sugary snack at lunchtime or eating a high carb evening meal later in the evening, so that your blood sugar is still high when you go to bed? . Often missed high carb foods are fruit juices.

[MartinCo in reply to Eryl]

I also suffer from restless arms ,when I haven't had a good night's sleep(THAT'S MOST NIGHTS!) I find that my arms seem to go into overdrive!I have stopped using caffeine a long time ago but I'm waiting to see a neurologist that will be some time never?anyway just too let you know you're not on your own.

Regards Martin.

[Sampsie]

Hi jcharket, sorry to hear about your arms.

Can you think of anything that has changed since you've been back at work? As Eryl said, your diet? Or medication? You mention coffee, have you tried stopping the coffee to see what happens? Some decaff can iritate me too so I stick to ones I know are ok.

[John_naylor in reply to Sampsie]

For me it is Restless LIMB Syndrome, mostly arms but also legs. I find more than average exercise or heavy work brings on mine more than diet. Of course excess sweet stuff, potatoes, alcohol etc will bring it on but I regularly have 1 morning coffee, 1 Kit Kat, 1 can of beer and these have no effect on my RLS - they have been well tested! Have you had your blood tested, ferritin in particular? Are you on any medication, even cold remedies can be hell. I couldn’t survive without my Gabapentin and Tramadol (though even that is not working too well at the moment).

Good luck!

Sorry this was intended for cjharket not sampsie!

[Joolsg]

Hi

What meds are you taking, including anti histamines/anti depressants? What is your serum ferritin level?

[Hidden]

Hi and sorry to hear about this.

In your case, I think it's a good idea firstly to confirm that you do actually have RLS.

It does seem you have some restlessness and it does appear to occur usually at night. In those respects then, it does seem to fit the RLS diagnostic criteria.

However, there is a caveat to the diagnostic criteria which is that although it can occur in the arms, it usually occurs in the legs FIRST or is WORSE in the legs.

cks.nice.org.uk/topics/rest...

Also you mention it got worse when you went to work, presumably being more physically active, possibly using your arms more.

For these two reasons then there is some doubt that your symptoms are actually RLS.

There is a simple self test you could try which is to take an over the counter sleep aid such as Nytol, which has a sedating antihistamine in it. If you have RLS, it may make your symptoms worse.

I'd also suggest if you've never seen a doctor about the problem then you consult one now.

[daisyw]

I read somewhere recently that the Tannin in tea affects your serum ferritin level and we know that that is a no no

I've cut back on tea. We try all ways to get some relief

[Hidden in reply to daisyw]

Tannins interfere with iron absorption. They do NOT affect ferritin levels in healthy adults.

However, they can lower ferritin levels for anybody with iron deficiency.

So you makea good point.

[wildlegs]

My arms start jumping around 3:30 to 4:30pm. I take Tramodol for my RLS as soon as it happens and within half hour it stops. At around 8pm I take another 100mg of tramodol and my legs are good.

[Goldy700]

Hi cjharket - I have restless legs and when it is bad it get it in my back as well- causing me to squirm and twist my body to try to get relief. From my back it seems to radiate into my arms. I find a hot bath is the best relief for me. I also get relief with medicinal cannabis CBD:THC 1-1. I seem to be able to get a decent night's sleep with this. I am careful not to have alcohol, sugar, inflammatory foods and I drink lots of water, fresh veg and berries. I have had it since my 20's and as is usual it has gotten worse as I am now 71. However it hasn't escalated to the unbearable phase. I don't get it in the day - though sometimes if I go to the movies it can come on. I hope I can keep it under control with my lifestyle and medical cannabis.

[Tapir]

Don't assume this is RLS it could well be arising from the neck vertebrae. You don't say how old you are but if the discs are collapsing (normal old age) you could have trapped nerves. This will be worse at night since the neck may be under greater sideways strain.