RLS AND MENOPAUSE

[Kaarina]

RLS-UK are interested to hear your experiences. For example, did your RLS symptoms intensify?

[Pippins2]

I didn't notice any difference really although my RLS was bad during my late forties /early fifties I put it down to augmentation and Dopamine Agonist withdrawal rather than the Menopause but it may have contributed

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Pippins2]

Thank you very much for replying, Pippins2.

[DesertOasis in reply to Kaarina]

Thank you for conducting the survey, Kaarina. Mine worsened as well. Not necessarily intensity, but consistency. Maybe intensity?

See last reply in this post. I believe this is why we experience worsening symptoms with menopause. Actually, not even worsened symptoms, but possibly worsened dopamine receptors, period.

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to DesertOasis]

Thank you for your reply, DesertOasis.

[Birdland]

My RLS did not intensify with menopause itself. The HRT I took as a result of menopause is what made my RLS greatly intensify.

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Birdland]

Birdland, thank you for replying.

[dena1641]

I’m in the perimenopause and it’s definitely got a lot worse. It’s moved to my hands as well and the coping strategies I had aren’t enough when I have an attack.

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to dena1641]

Thank you for letting us know, dena1641.

[Typicallygaslit]

Yes, things have really gotten out of hand since menopause. I used to (just about) cope on sleeping pills and even a small amount of quetiapine, I no longer do but I also no longer tolerate most medications. I think my serotonin levels are way too high and it’s much worse now, but no one is interested in trying to understand this. Serotonin tends to go up as we get older and at least in my case there seems to be a correlation with RLS.

[Kaarina Administrator]

Thank you so much for your reply Typicallygaslit. Much appreciated.

[Marlayna67]

yes. I had a RLS starting in my 30s but it became a real problem in my 50s as menopause approached and then happened. Now I have it in my legs but it’s the worst in my hands and wrists.

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Marlayna67]

Thank you Marlayna67 for answering our question. It is appreciated.

[loops1207]

My symptoms have massively increased in the last 5 years. I hadn’t made any connection with menopause but it definitely could be possible.

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to loops1207]

Thankyou, loops1207. Yes, it could be a possibility.

[loops1207 in reply to Kaarina]

I’m worried about HRT, I heard this could be a trigger but I desperately need it. I’ve been on several different ones to find the right one but it’s awful to think it’s helping one thing and making another worse. 😟

[Rubynessie]

Yes most definitely

My rls and arms has significantly increased by menopause.

Suffering badly . On medication and still bad !

52 now , had it since I was 15 .

Losing my mind .

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to Rubynessie]

Thank you Rubynessie for taking the time to reply.

[LotteM]

Thanks for doing the survey, Kaarina.

My RLS was mild and I even didn't know that I had it or knew what it was until I was 54, and already 4 years on HRT. The HRT had improved my sleep (and daytime) enormously. Fairly suddenly, the relatively mild and also short lived RLS symptoms became severe, far more intense, far longer spells (10 min > 2-3 hrs) and every evening and night. And actually in a time when my previously hectic life settled down quite a bit.

So yes, intensified after menopause, but not at all concurrent with other menopause symptoms. Also, since then, I have been off HRT several times for 2-6 months and that did nothing in terms of my RLS symptoms (but the hot flushes kept me from sleeping more than about 1 h at a time).

Jury is still out in my case?

[Kaarina Administrator in reply to LotteM]

That is interesting, LotteM. Thank you very much for replying.

[Kaarina Administrator]

Bump