random flare up

[Jenevewill]

does anyone know what can cause a random flare up ? I was doing so well for months and now it’s back with a vengeance.

[Jenevewill]

No literally nothing knew ! Strangely enough it seemed to have started after I went to the dentist

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Jenevewill]

Could be many things, but just a thought - did your dentist give you an anti-nausea med? These can trigger an RLS flare but this will generally subside again fairly quickly.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Jenevewill]

The anaesthetic is possibly the cause.

Tell the dentist next time. They have anaesthetics that do not set off the fizzies.

If you had extractions, then they sometimes add adrenaline, which really setse off.

Good luck.

[Jenevewill in reply to Madlegs1]

It was just a check up and cleaning

[Madlegs1 in reply to Jenevewill]

Ok. Not that, so!

[LotteM]

RLS is chronic and also thought to be progressive - it worsens with age. From the stories I read here I gather that it is usually not an ongoing worsening. A transition from mild and intermittent to daily and more severe seems to often happen at middle age, roughly around 40-60 years of age.

Also, and maybe more pertaining to your situation, RLS seems to have periods of regression with milder or no symptoms. Whether this is induced by changes in lifestyle, including diet, we can only guess. It may be naturally occurring. When we take medicines daily, temporal improvements may go unnoticed. Worsening also, if the change is not too big. But not if one doesn't take medicines or the medicines barely cover the symptoms.

In your situation, look for the usual and unusual trigger, like others suggested. And you may want to try behavioural 'treatment' for a while, to see if it settles again soon.

Sorry to be so unspecific. We just don't really know.

[Jenevewill]

I just had a ferritin test and it came back at 29

[Hidden in reply to Jenevewill]

That's very low in the context of RLS. Iron supplementation would be the logical next step.

[Jenevewill in reply to Hidden]

I react to all iron supplements like horrible constipation even bisglycinate 😞

[Hidden in reply to Jenevewill]

Perhaps an iron infusion then. Or organic dessicated beef liver capsules or blackstrap molasses.

[Jenevewill in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I’ll look into it

[SueJohnson in reply to Jenevewill]

An iron infusion can also cause constipation so unfortunately isn't the answer but as Amrob pointed out is less likely to so that is a possibility if the others don't work out.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hidden]

Unfortunately an iron infusion is just as likely to cause constipation.

[Hidden in reply to SueJohnson]

In general, oral iron supplements are more likely to cause constipation compared to intravenous (IV) iron infusions. This is because oral iron supplements are processed by the digestive system, whereas IV iron bypasses the digestive system and is directly delivered into the bloodstream.Therefore iron infusions have a reduced risk of causing constipation compared to oral supplements.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hidden]

You're right. I shouldn't have said "is just as likely" and I edited my response to Jenevewill.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hidden]

I checked on the last two you suggested and they are certainly safe but: 2 tablespoon of blackstrap molasses contains 7.2 mg of iron. which is nowhere near the 65 mg needed. Molasses contains higher amounts of sugar, so intake should be limited so not really useful. As a supplement to other sources of iron it could be useful.

Solgar desiccated beef liver- 3 tablets contain 2 mg iron so that is even worse.

[SueJohnson in reply to Jenevewill]

Ferrous gluconate is less constipating for many people. 300 mg

Liquid ferrous sulfate - 125 mg -is easy on the stomach is better absorbed and less constipating.

Both of these contain less elemental iron which is one reaqson they are less constipating.

Heme iron can be taken with meals and is less constipating. Most iron tablets are non-heme iron.

You can also take the other 2 with meals but that will mean you absorb less iron.

The trade-off on all of these is that it replaces your iron more slowly.

[Jenevewill in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you !

[SueJohnson in reply to Jenevewill]

By the way since your ferritin is so low take it every day at the same time so it is at least 24 hours apart since when you take it hepcidin is released which prevents iron from being absorbed for up to 24 hours, preferably at night at least 1 hour before a meal or coffee or tea and at least 2 hours after a meal or coffee or tea since iron is absorbed better on an empty stomach and the tannins in coffee and tea limit absorption. Take it with 100 mg of vitamin or some orange juice. If you take magnesium, calcium or zinc even in a multivitamin, take them at least 2 hours apart since they interfere with the absorption of iron. Also antacids interfere with its absorption so should be taken at least 4 hours before the iron or at least 2 hours after. Don't take your iron tablets before or after exercise since inflammation peaks after a workout. Don't take tumeric as it can interfere with the absorption of iron or at least take it in the morning if you take your iron at night. If you take thyroid medicine don't take it within 4 hours. It takes several months for the iron tablets to slowly raise your ferritin. Ask for a new blood test after 3 months.

[Jenevewill in reply to SueJohnson]

Oh wow ! This is great info! Thanks

[DicCarlson in reply to Jenevewill]

Many breakfast cereals are now fortified with iron (up to 10mg from reading labels). For the constipation try Triphala - a 3 herbal blend that has been around for 1000 years - works great. Also increase fiber (psyllium and flax meal). Blackstrap molasses has just a couple mg of iron, but it was the key for me to discover that iron was the issue and eventually resolved RLS with supplementation.

[Guitarpickin in reply to Jenevewill]

I also get bad constipation with these iron tablets. Even worse, the iron REALLY messes up my gut biome which I figured out when my teeth started feeling “fuzzy” within an hour of brushing. I had to add fiber to my diet as well as high quality probiotics. It seems to be working and I feel more balanced again.

[Jenevewill]

I had horrible restless legs when I was pregnant. It went away once I had my baby, 16 months ago and now it’s back all of a sudden

[Jenevewill]

Thank you ! I am not getting much sleep and I have a 16 month old who is still breastfeeding so I’m not sure about medication. I really would prefer a more natural route. ive struggled with insomnia my entire life, i think due to my traumatic childhood. i only got restless legs in all 3 of my pregnancies that went away after but now its back for some reason 16 months postpartum

[Jenevewill]

No I am regular but not with iron

[Jenevewill]

I haven’t started weaning but she does breastfed less now

[SueJohnson]

Since you obviously don't want to take medicines while you are breastfeeding, let me give you my list of what hurts and what helps RLS: 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, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin, eating late at night, 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 like therapulse, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga. Keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse

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.

[Jenevewill in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you ! This is great

[Simkin]

As Sue mentioned you must take vit c or orange juice with iron.I find the best is redoxon vit C.

[Jumpey]

I had a terrible flare up last year because I became suddenly aneamic for reasons unknown. I have taken a daily iron supplement for 20 years. An iron infusion helped with daytime symptoms.

[Bramble2000]

intense emotional stress for me