Napping

[Jauny]

Does anyone have advice on on day time napping?Because of RLS and insomnia I often only get a couple of hours sleep at night.However, I could literally sleep anytime in the day but avoid doing it on the premise that it will make me less likely to sleep at night. However I'm not convinced it makes any difference at all to that...and I do feel a bit better from getting the added sleep.

[Madlegs1]

Short naps are very healthy.

Preferably not more than 30 minutes. Set an alarm if that is helpful.

I find after midday meal is best for me. If I delay it till evening, it will definitely interfere with the night-time slumber.👻

[SueJohnson]

Since one needs 7 hours of sleep for one's health, I see nothing wrong with taking a nap for as long as you can to make up for some of the lost sleep, I take my nap in the morning after breakfast.

[Joolsg]

I don't believe the nonsense about sleep hygiene when someone has RLS. Sleep hygiene is for insomnia which is NOT caused by RLS. I understand that. You need to retrain the brain to sleep at night.But RLS follows the dopamine cycle. Dopamine is highest at 6am in the morning, then levels fall during the day and decrease dramatically in the evening and night.

That's why RLS patients sleep best between 6am and noon.

My view is that we should sleep whenever and wherever we can if the RLS is not effectively controlled 24/7.

Being overtired makes RLS worse.

So, nap whenever you can is my philosophy.

[ziggypiggy in reply to Joolsg]

Furthermore, even if RLS becomes controlled by treatment, I believe normally suggested sleep hygene techniques are still extremely difficult to aquire. Years of previous traumatic sleeping patterns run deep. It's important to give ourselves some grace when pressured to "fit in" to societies recommended sleeping hours.

[teakabeagle in reply to ziggypiggy]

Nap whenever you can. If you keep them to 30 minutes , you can avoid the sleep inertia that comes from napping too long.

I did follow sleep hygiene routines even when the RLS was not under control. It trained me to fall asleep quickly to get the most I could have the few hours I did get. I found the bedtime routine decreased the anxiety that bedtimes usually brings for those of us with RLS. Now that the RLS is under control, the sleep hygiene routines really kicked in and my sleep is so much better

[Jelbea]

I totally agree with Joolsg. Take your sleep when you can get it. I get so annoyed by the talk of "sleep hygiene". It has no place in the lives of RLS sufferers.

[ChrisColumbus]

Yes - just do it!

[Elisse3]

I agree getting a nap is usually in the afternoon for me cant see the benefit of pacing half dead from from sleep deprivation not good for your overall body which needs sleep for your wellbeing. Sleep deprivation can cause all sorts of problems for your body.

[ikc42]

I totally agree with taking naps. I don’t have RLS but do have sleep issues. I am retired so don’t have anyone else’s schedule to conform to. I can and do take multiple naps every day, usually 5 to 10 minutes long. I find them wonderfully restorative and could not imagine going without them. Usually I have little choice but to nap. On any long journey (100km+) I literally have no choice (as driver) but to stop for a 5 min nap. So yes, naps are brilliant. Go for it!!

[UpsideDownInsideOut]

Take it wherever and whenever and however you can get it. Happy Napping Jauny and Happy Christmas to you and to everyone else 🎄🎄🎄

[Poe7]

My whole life and way before I ever had RLS I've never been able to sleep at night very well. I get my best sleep between 4am and 8am. With or without RLS.

My Dr a long time ago told me that if I needed and was able to take a very long nap during the day then he felt that it counted towards my 8 hours of sleep.

Once I allowed myself to not feel guilty about it I started taking naps during the day when I need them.

I think the hardest part is getting over the feeling that as adults we are lazy if were napping during the day. I get just as much accomplished between 11pm and 4am as I do from 11am until 4pm. I've just switched them around. And honestly I get more done now because I'm not exhausted.

[Allyp69]

I try to have a short afternoon nap as it's also meant to help prevent dementia....time will tell. Tiredness is a factor for me of RLS so it can't do any harm....

[Strike26]

Hi - you exactly describe my situation. I have tried lots of prescribed medications and natural remedies. The former all have side effects or no effect and the latter, no effect. I often have a lay down or sit in my comfortable armchair (my daughters point out that it is totally the wrong colour and design for the sitting room- I kept it when I bought the new one - which is true) in the afternoon, as that works with keeping the RLS at bay. I look at it as an alternative- not sleeping at night developed due to RLS and I have tried since gabapentin sorted 90% of the symptoms to develop good sleep patterns. I just can’t. Maybe it’s age. Whatever, sleep on, I say!!! Alex

[John_naylor]

I take 100mg Tramadol and 1800mg Gabapentin for my RLS and I go in phases from no RLS for a few nights to v. disturbed evenings and up 4 or 5 times a night. Whatever phase I am in I risk falling asleep in an afternoon, have the worst time coming round and am groggy for an hour or so which I attribute to the Tramadol. It seems as though it gives me a high in an evening but such a tired low in an afternoon that I have to stay active from 2pm to 6pm to avoid this drugged sleep. Anybody else get this?

[Valeriej21]

I nap whenever I can. 30 min the most

[Simkin]

Jauny, I have a sleep between 3pm and 4pm. It is the only way I survive.