Why no symptoms when i have a stinker of a cold

[Oscarsaurus]

One thing i have noticed is that when im ill with a cold or flu i dont seem to have such terrible symptoms of rls ...i am able to sleep during the day without my legs waking me up after 20 mins. Has anyone else ever had the same experience please ?

[SueJohnson]

That is strange. It is usually the opposite. Perhaps you are doing something differently like not doing something you would normally be doing or eating differently.

[LotteM]

Actually, and contrary to what Sue wrote (sorry Sue, you are usually right) quite a few people have mentioned this before, and I also experienced it myself during a severe cold (or maybe it was a real flu). This experience comes up in waves, usually during the winter season when flu and cold are more common.

But why the flu or severe cold suppressed RLS symptoms, we don't know. An infection usually leads to temporarily higher ferritin rates. So maybe during an infection iron gets re-allocated and becomes better available, also to the brain. But that is a very long shot. It may also simple be that the symptoms of the cold or flu are strong enough to distract from the RLS symptoms. Not only psychologically, but also physically. How? No-one knows. An interesting avenue of research though, of only some infection/RLS researcher would take it up.

[Oscarsaurus in reply to LotteM]

Exactly ! I have wondered before ...maybe it is worth the research xx

[Eryl]

More likely is that the cold/flu puts you off your food and that the change of diet means that you are not triggering thd rls.

[Simkin]

My RLS disappeared completely when I was in bed for 6 weeks with covid.Ditto when I was in plaster for 6 weeks with broken foot.

[anatureman]

Hi Oscarsaurus, I have not posted on this site before but your post reminds me of when I had flu-like symptoms and, in the initial stages, my restless legs completely disappeared. I associated this with a raised body temperature from the infection. I have seen one or two previous posts indicating the same and I am determined to do some research to find out if this is more common. I will post again if I find out any more information. Best Wishes.

[Oscarsaurus in reply to anatureman]

Good luck with your search and i look forward to maybe some positive news for once i think we all deserve it xx

[Munroist]

Many people have posted that illness has affected their RLS. The best nights I have had in the last 4 years were after 2 of my 4 COVID accinations (the ONLY time I have actually slept through in those 4 years) and once when I actually caught COVID. As LotteM says the inflammation response when you become ill makes big changes to ferritin levels which I have seen explained on this forum but I can't recall the mechanism, and those changes for some people can alleviate RLS. If I can find the post I'll let you know

[Oscarsaurus in reply to Munroist]

I have found it before when i was ill with a cold or Covid and meant to comment on here but i have a menopausal brain so i dont remember anything unless i do it there and then ...look forward to your results xx

[TobyTobias1]

When I had Covid I was sleeping most of the day for 3 days and RLS didn’t kick in till later in day but like you I can’t usually stay still laying or sitting down for more than 20 at the most !! So I got a good rest 👍

[Johan10]

Yes I have found the same. Also I find that other forms of minor pain or discomfort seem to distract from the dreadful sensations of RL and often do not hinder sleep. It seems the brain can only focus on one discomfort or pain source at any moment in time?

More research or thoughts would be good.

[Oscarsaurus in reply to Johan10]

I suffer from chronic lower back pain and sciatica but unfortunately it doesnt stop the rls , wishful thinking but a cold or flu definitely does. Its a pity we couldnt be injected with the virus but none of the symptoms and then maybe rls free now thats a nice thought xx

[Amrob]

Yes, have noticed it on several occasions.

[Newfeet]

This is interesting, perhaps it's something your are doing differently, i.e. wearing comfy slippers instead of restrictive shoes. I recently found wearing barefoot shoes improved my RLS hugely.