Why does RLS stop?

[Theonlypetied]

I don’t know if everyone else is the same, but until very recently, I’ve always found my RLS tends to cease once I stand up. (The last week or so I have got it when standing and for the first time I had RLS during Pilates this week.) Does anyone know why RLS stops as soon as one stands up?

[ChrisColumbus]

I'm not sure that just standing is a common resolution to RLS for most. But I have often felt that there can be circulatory elements to RLS as well as all the usual triggers - e.g. I have to be careful how I lie and how I sit, and if I'm careless RLS may start and then be difficult to stop.

Standing can improve whole body circulation, and standing and moving even more so. Just standing doesn't usually work for me if RLS starts: I then have to bounce or stretch or march, and can often get rid of it within a few minutes.

However as you have found more recently, and as many report, sometimes RLS can go on for hours - or keep stopping and then starting again - whatever you do.

In these instances, something else is triggering the RLS: a low level of iron or magnesium; augmenting on a Dopamine Agonist such as Pramipexole or Ropinirole (or withdrawing too quickly); triggered by another medication, such as a statin, anti-histamine, antidepressant etc; reacting to food triggers such as sugar, artificial sweeteners, caffeine (although thus helps some), alcohol, MSG, etc etc....

Unfortunately the list of potential triggers and exacerbators is long. SueJohnson probably has the most extensive lists of what may or may not bring on RLS: check her Replies to other posts.

Good luck!

[Theonlypetied in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I’ve been on a different antidepressant for a few days so maybe it is the pesky problem.

[Sillyvester19 in reply to ChrisColumbus]

hi does anybody feel totally drained often a episode of rls. I fill so ill from it I have no strenth energy and feel utterly motionless as if I have had a severe bout of flu. I find drink plenty of water can help but just lately been getting more in hands as well

[Pensionistaspain in reply to Sillyvester19]

me too. I get a lot in my arms and apparently even when asleep my husband says I am sending semaphore messages! I am grateful that he is so supportive and understanding.

[Theonlypetied in reply to Sillyvester19]

I hear you. It is so draining and wearing and the cumulative effect of little or no rest is like hell on earth. I have bad knees so a few hours of flinging my legs about makes my knees really ache too.

[SueJohnson in reply to Sillyvester19]

I remember you were taking gabapentin. Are you still taking it and how much?

[Theonlypetied in reply to SueJohnson]

Sue. Was this message to me, sorry? If so, no, my GP want me to try Pregab once the Pram is out of my system. Thank you

[SueJohnson in reply to Theonlypetied]

No it was to Sillyvester19

[Theonlypetied in reply to SueJohnson]

no worries🙂

[CookiePooki in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Six hours of shaking and kicking left me in a state of desperation. This has happened multiple times. There's nothing left except death but I'll leave that up to God. Somehow He has a plan

[Hidden in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Hi Chris, my research showed that when we stand our brains (cortex I believe) releases dopamine in a nanosecond. Dopamine is what balances us when we stand and coordinates movement as we walk. The more imbalance the brain senses probably the more dopamine that is released. So standing on one foot might be ideal rather than sprinting around the block at 3am.

I’ve noticed that when I’m standing but leaning I can still feel some RLS. I guess my brain isn’t sensing much imbalance. And our arms and legs aren’t picky - meaning they don’t care where the dopamine is coming from - striatum or cortex…they’ll quiet down just the same.

EDIT: Actually it’s the Cerebrum. hopkinsmedicine.org/health/...

[Munroist]

I suspect standing helps because it’s a limited form of movement and I assume raises the level of neurotransmitters such as dopamine. More energetic movement will increase the effect. Standing does engage quite a lot of muscles for balance and need quite a bit of control so even if you don’t feel like you are doing much then your nerves and muscles are still working. Sometimes when I get up at night, I get distracted and start to read things, often standing up and it surprises me that that seems to help with RLS almost as much as walking about. I think there’s an element there of distraction and also dopamine is not just used for movement. There was an excellent article posted a few days ago about the many functions dopamine has.

bebrainfit.com/dopamine-def...

[discgolfrules]

movement is relief. That is why we are the nightwalkers. As RLS becomes more sever, then it's also daywalker, or just all-the-time walker. Dancing also helps. I also have PD and my main symptom is sever dystonia. But when I put on music and move to the beat, it is literally the only time I am in control of my body. I have also found that just walking all the time is really boring. So I started playing disc golf. For me it's like hiking, but having a purpose. Hiking with purpose, and throwing discs. Oh yeah, keep it low impact.

[SueJohnson in reply to discgolfrules]

I was just reading today an article in the Washington Post about how Intense exercise can slow the progression of Parkinson’s and even improve the symptoms washingtonpost.com/wellness... The problem is that intense exercise can make RLS worse for many but it is worth a try to see if that is the case for you.

[SueJohnson in reply to discgolfrules]

Since you can't access the article I put it out on the Parkinson's forum.

[CookiePooki]

That's right I have no idea why

[RLSdaily]

there has been a few reply with scientific answers on the dopamine responses. I like to do slow squats at my bedside to engage muscles and that seems to be pretty easy and quick relief more often than not.