Alzheimer's and RLS

[ziggypiggy]

Study's show RLS has some type of precursor link to ALZHEIMER'S. I think it's because of the sleep deprivation component of RLS that's feeds the ALZ.

My mom suffered severe RLS her whole live. And combined with severe anxiety and insomnia she would end up in the ER two to three times a week.

About four years ago she was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's. She wasn't too concerned about it as much as us kids were. About 10 months later we started to notice that my mom pretty much stopped being taking to the ER at all. We were ecstatic. I checked with her prescribing physician at her nursing home and nothing had really been changed for medicine. She was still taking up to 12 milligrams of Requip through out the da.y. alot.

The early onset Alzheimer's really attacked her short turn memory pretty hard but long term was basically untouched.

Then a miraculous thing happened over the next three weeks. I would ask her the same question everytime I saw her. "How bad are you legs mom?. She responded "what's supposed to be wrong with them." I would follow up with " your severe RLS that drives you batty every night." She says" Oh yeah those. I don't get those any more and if I do they go away quickly. I was flummoxed after helping to take care of her for 30 years I knew to well the torture she went through night in and night out.

"So mom, I asked. Do you think the short term memory loss is making you forget they were bad. She said maybe. I've also noted your depression and anxiety have decreased as well.

I'm thinking the short term memory loss was acting as a circuit breaker for her RLS, anxiety and depression. There was no time for her to get all worked up as she used to in the past. She just plain forgot. THE ULTIMATE IN DISTRACTION: MEMORY LOSS. She went from visiting the ER twice a week down to once a month at most.

My siblings and I have labeled the last three years of her life the golden years of mom. After a lifetime filled with sleep deprivation, neuroticism and depression, she just became a calm normal pleasant person with short term memory loss. We could live with that.

As her son I've inherited all the goodies described above from my mom. If that's how i end up going, sign me up.

I am aware ALZHEIMER'S can be far more difficult and heartbreaking.

Just thought I'd share this pleasant outcome.

[Hidden]

It sounds like your mum (mom) did it tough for so many years. I'm glad to hear that she had some respite towards the end of her life! Thanks for sharing Ziggypiggy.

[BocaMom]

Super interesting to read - thanks for posting and I’m glad there has been a silver lining.

[Amelanchier]

Thank you for sharing this, it’s really good to hear the pleasant side of an illness generally considered disastrous, and I hope your Mum continues to do well bringing joy to you and your family .

[Eryl]

It's not the sleep deprivation but Alzheimers and RLS share a common cause and that is high blood sugar. I've eliminated my RLS by adopting a low carb anti inflammatory diet. ketodietapp.com/Blog/lchf/i...

[Jules1953]

Is your mother on some medication which is successfully controlling her RLS. What medications is your mother currently taking ?

Perhaps she is being given medications for the Alzheimer's which is helping her RLS and depression and anxiety.

Kind regards Julie McGowan from Western Australia

[ziggypiggy in reply to Jules1953]

She passed away last year due to Alzheimer's organ failure. Didn't know that was actually how Alzheimer's often ends, where the brain actually just fails. I mean she was still pretty with it to the end No, her medication remained relatively similar to what she was or had been on at some point.

Of course our speculation that the short term memory loss was helping relieve some of those issues is just that, speculation.

We all just sensed there was some sort of connection there. Especially those of us with RLS and anxiety issues ourselves.

But it's all behind her now.

Peace out, from the Pacific Northwest USA.

[Joolsg]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's good to know she didn't suffer so horribly in her last few years. That must have been a comfort for you.

[Reb0013]

Thank you for sharing - so sorry for your loss. Eloquently written with good thoughts for all.