RLS and caffeine diet Pepsi

[DJDeniseDJDJoe22]

I have had RLS for years. My Mom, sister and two of my sons have it also. Most of us take Mirapex at night which works well most of the time but lately I feel like it’s worse and am having trouble sleeping. I had a suspected maybe it was the CF Diet Pepsi even though it was caffeine free so I stopped drinking it all together and it has made a HUGE difference. I do drink a couple cups of coffee in the morning but after that I avoid caffeine. If you drink soda night, try not drinking it all day and see if you sleep better.

[Madlegs1]

Good for you.

I wonder what other junk ingredients there are in Pepsi?

Caffeine is probably the purest one!

Great that you have figured a trigger.

You've given me a new catch phrase.

"Go Figure your Trigger"

Yeehah!👍😝💚

[DJDeniseDJDJoe22 in reply to Madlegs1]

Perfect phrase!

[SueJohnson]

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including multivitamins that have iron in them 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice.

Improving your ferritin is one of the ways to help avoid or at least delay augmentation.

[DJDeniseDJDJoe22 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you for the information. I am having blood work next week and I will make sure to include that in the blood testing and will post the results here when I have them.

[SueJohnson]

If you find your RLS getting worse again, don't increase the dose as that is a sign of augmentation. It is no longer the first line treatment for RLS because of the danger of augmentation.

Up to 70% of people will eventually suffer augmentation according to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which believe me you don't want because it can be hell to come off it and the longer you are on it, the harder it will be to come off it and the more likely your dopamine receptors will be damaged so that the now first line treatment for RLS gabapentin won't work. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which discusses augmentation and the latest guidelines on RLS treatment. Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

Even if you don't have this problem you might want to share it with your relatives.

[DJDeniseDJDJoe22 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks again!

[SueJohnson]

Meanwhile some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium, foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, estrogen including HRT, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, stress and vigorous exercise. Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennel, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, CBD, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute.

[Eryl]

Soda can caue RLS but it's nothing to do with the caffiene, it's because sweeteners cause inflammation in the body whether they're artificial or natural. Raised blood sugar from eating sweet foods can cause systemic inflammation (inflammation in the whole body) and when the nerves are inflaemed they get hypersensitive which is the cause of RLS.

[DJDeniseDJDJoe22 in reply to Eryl]

Thank you for your reply. Not drinking soda helps.

[Eryl in reply to DJDeniseDJDJoe22]

If not drinking soda helps then avoiding sugary and starchy foods like bread and other baked gods should also help. Somethinng else that causes inflammation is refined seed oils

[DJDeniseDJDJoe22 in reply to Eryl]

thank you for the info.

[thewanderer]

Over several years I have found diet drinks can often trigger a severe RLS response. I believe this may be due to the sweetener aspartame which is reported by others to be a trigger. Try giving up diet drinks, it might not solve your problem but it could reduce it.

[DJDeniseDJDJoe22 in reply to thewanderer]

Thank you for your reply!

[DicCarlson]

Soda of any kind is such a sugar bomb! Diet sweeteners are really no better - drink water or seltzers.

[DJDeniseDJDJoe22 in reply to DicCarlson]

Thank you for your reply.

[Camry2020]

Mirapex was a miracle for me for years until it turned and became a torture tool. It made every symptom worse till I nearly went mad as augmentation took over. There is no going back sadly but now I'm on an 'industrial dose' of gralise gabapentin which has worked for four years. Fingers crossed!

Years ago I read here that caffeine might help. It's counter intuitive but in desperation I tried it. It expressos in combination with the grailise has been great.

It's not so crazy...ritalin, a stimulant is give for ADD.

[Graham3196 in reply to Camry2020]

Hi Camry I don't understand what you mean by "there is no going back"

Is there reason to believe that Gabapentin will wear off after some time?

How much is an"indusrtial dose"?

[SueJohnson in reply to Graham3196]

She meant no going back on Mirapex. And she takes 3600 mg which is the maximum