Electrolytes

[Boldgirl45]

Hi everyone. I've been 'collecting' lots of different ideas from this amazing forum, mainly to help my poor mum who is a sufferer both from RLS and DA use, sadly. We're currently trying to follow a lot of the advice including measuring / raising ferritin levels etc.

I myself also do suffer with RLS, but mostly very mildly. I wanted to write this as I'd read with interest about electrolyte deficiency and RLS, and the supplement that one or two people had recommended to take - Pedialyte I think? I thought that at some point I would recommend to my mum.

The other night I had some evidence that electrolyte imbalance can indeed cause / aggravate restless legs. I had had terrible sickness and diarrhea for two days, so lost a lot of fluid. Towards the end of the second day muscles (mainly in my legs) started twitching so you could see them moving - something I usually associate with a temporary mineral deficiency. When I went to bed I was bothered all night by my legs - having to get up to walk around etc, changing position 1000 times etc.

It seemed to me to be a clear connection in this particular scenario, so I just wanted to share with you all. The next day I made sure I had re-hydration sachets and mineral water - no RLS that night.

Note that I read on here recently that someone had taken Pedialyte and suffered constipation, and I read that electrolyte imbalance the other way (i.e too much) means that that symptom can happen. Just to bear in mind for anyone who wants to try it.

I hope my little one-person experience can help in some way

[Amrob]

Thanks for sharing. It's always good to hear personal experiences of what works/what aggravates. It all adds to our body of knowledge 🙂

[Munroist]

Interesting, thanks. While a lot of RLS seems to be related to brain conditions, such as brain iron and dopamine, it also seems there is a component to do with the condition of the legs or muscles, hence intense exercise seems to cause a problem for some people and no exercise can also be an issue. On top of that many people find stretching, rubbing with magnesium oil, raising the legs and vibrating massagers helpful. These all act directly on the legs so it does seem that other factors can influence RLS. During long bike rides I always try to drink electrolytes which I think helps reduce the effects of the exercise later. Maybe the reason intense exercise causes RLS is depletion of electrolytes? One day someone will work out the exact cause and these pieces of the jigsaw will fall into place.

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Munroist]

Thanks Munroist. Yes, it's baffling isn't it! But all we can do is just gather our bits of info and hope that one day there will be a breakthrough

[Joolsg]

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad it's helped you. I'm still convinced RLS has many different causes. Low brain iron, food triggers, spinal cord damage or bone surgery triggers. Many people mention worsened RLS if they don't drink enough water and low electrolyte could be another.

How is your Mum doing?

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Joolsg. She’s bearing up but it’s so difficult for us to approach getting her off DAs because she’s in such bad health generally, sadly 😞.

[Joolsg in reply to Boldgirl45]

I can't even begin to imagine. That's why I get so angry at doctors for prescribing these drugs to older patients. Withdrawal is brutal. Falls are so much more likely and that can lead to broken limbs etc.

Hopefully if you keep reducing very, very slowly and find a GP who will prescribe low dose opioids or see Prof. Matthew Walker privately as he could help her through the withdrawal.

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Joolsg]

Yes I think that's the way we're hoping to go. Thank you for the support

[DicCarlson]

There is definitely a relationship between electrolyte imbalance and RLS. My severe RLS was preceded by intense leg cramps at night. I took a product from Hammer Nutrition called Endurolyte Extreme (capsules). The best remedy seems just to take 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt and 1/4 tsp of Cream of Tartar (it's potassium). This is also the Adrenal Cocktail. Mix with juice or water.

[Boldgirl45 in reply to DicCarlson]

Interesting - thanks so much!

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Boldgirl45]

Hi again DicCarlson - a couple of questions if you don't mind:

- would you recommend that product? (I can't see my mum making her own, tho I probably would myself)

- what do you mean by Adrenal Cocktail as I'm curious?

- how much have you found rebalancing electrolytes helps your RLS?

Thanks so much