RESTLESS LEGS - INSOMNIA - HIGH ANXIETY

[Josana13]

RLS - I know that alcohol is a no, no for RLS or if taking meds, but I recently read an article that drinking an ounce of brandy at night helps with insomnia. After not sleeping at all for four nights (high anxiety) Out of desperation, I mixed an ounce of brandy with eggnog (grandkids left in fridge). I went to sleep and did not wake up until the morning. I have done that for 5 nights (skipped one night because I fell asleep without it.) I have not had RLS, insomnia, or anxiety since then. Have fallen asleep shortly after drinking the brandy and eggnog. I take several meds, but did not take anything an hour or so before the brandy. This is better than taking Clonozapan or other addictive and dangerous drugs. Just saying. Will report if it continues to work or not. I go into first gear at times and have tried everything to relax, including Clonazepam, with no success. Told my psych about the brandy and he was excited that something worked. (The psych I have is from the OIA) He called me for grief counseling after my son died and has continued to tele-work with me on other problems for over a year.

[SueJohnson]

That is great!

[Madlegs1 in reply to SueJohnson]

Yes, indeed.Would crucify me!🤪

[Munroist]

I might try that. I don’t take any drugs for RLS or anything else and alcohol doesn’t generally make any difference to my sleep. A brandy a night for the rest if my life in return for good sleep would be an excellent arrangement

[ChrisColumbus]

I wouldn't say that alcohol is an absolute 'no-no' for RLS sufferers: it's true that even small to moderate amounts can trigger/exacerbate RLS or disturb sleep for some. However, like most things, others find that in moderation it doesn't affect their RLS or sleep. I can certainly take a glass of wine or spirits without issue.

Whatever works for you! (Similarly some can't tolerate any/too much caffeine, but others find it actually beneficial.)

[DicCarlson]

Well, you need to try it without the brandy and then without the eggnog. Maybe the milk is helping with sleep.

[Josana13 in reply to DicCarlson]

Thanks for the idea. I did the brandy for two nights until the anxiety dissipated. I did not have RLS at the time and will not take a chance of waking that monster up. But maybe the hot milk will help keep the anxiety at a tolerable level.

[Bks429]

well, I had two doctors pushing to take me off of clonazepam. They were nights that I tried and didn’t take it and I didn’t see any difference with the RLS. I haven’t taken it in over a year now. There were nights when I had taken the clonazepam, and it did nothing, and I got up and had a glass of wine. Whatever works!

[Josana13 in reply to Bks429]

I had extremely high anxiety, was in first gear for three nights. Not an ounce of sleep. No RLS. Just anxiety. I don't take sleeping pills or benzos, because they don't work when I have this much anxiety, so why bother. Nothing works. I can't even close my eyes. I was doing some research and I came across an article that said that an ounce of brandy at bedtime would dissipate anxiety. I made sure I hadn't taken any medication for a few hours and mixed an ounce of brandy with eggnog and slept like a baby. I did this for a couple of nights, and it worked. I would not do this for more than two nights because of medication, and only when anxiety is severe.