Caffeine and L Theanine

[Optidad]

As my previous posts have indicated I'm a long term sufferer of RLS which was "successfully" ! treated with Pramipexole over a period of 7 years....Due to an unfortunate side effect leading to some disturbing events in my life I stopped it about 12 weeks ago . For reasons associated with said side effects the recommended opiate treatment was not an option , nor the various GABA treatments were advisable . I was having moderate success with Iron supplementation and ice cold showering of my legs, coupled with careful diet changes both what and when .I came across an article on ADHD treatment which lead to an experiment . The most successful treatment mooted for ADHD is amphetamine based , various types . But recently there has been a move to combining Caffeine and an amino acid L Theanine . This seemed to have a dopamine boosting effect without the undesirable caffeine jitters etc. As there is a strong correlation with RLS and dopamine regulation i decided to try and see if it helped .

I take a Galfer FE about 90 mins before bedtime with 1000mg Vit C on an empty stomach . About 30 mins before lights out I take 100mg of caffeine ( a can of Sugar Free Red Bull , I kid you not!) and 100mg of L Theanine .

Since starting this regime 10 days now , I've had zero disruptive RLS episodes , and Zero problems sleeping!

A sample size of one is a poor study ! I'm not prone to psychosomatic effects nor bias ( well not much )

I would love for some brave sufferers to forgo their normal treatment , or those who are finding their regime unsuccessful to try this .

I've ordered a combination caffeine-l theanine pill which is due to arrive this week and will move on to this but I thought I'd throw it out there. It's working for me, could it work for you?

[Joolsg]

Excellent news. Like you, caffeine really helps my RLS. I did take L theanine as well, but that didn't help.Long may your new regime continue.

[SueJohnson]

That's great! I'm glad it is working for you.

[Rayme]

Caffeine helps to temporarily relieve my RL, for an hour or two. I tried Ltheanine too, but makes me queasy, so I gave up on it. Glad it works for you!

[Jumpey]

Well done!

[Doped]

Wow, sounds like you've found great relief and I would love to try caffeine but even one cup of coffee gives me the jitters so would a pill do the same or is it a different mechanism!

[SueJohnson in reply to Doped]

If it has the same mg of caffeine it would do the same thing.

[Doped in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue, I thought so much, even in the unlikely event that it would get rid of the rls I would be awake all night anyway but with the addition of feeling like I could jump out of my skin

[Optidad in reply to Doped]

AFAIK the reason for the LTheanine is it removes the jitters , I'm sleeping like the proverbial on 100mg/100mg . I would drink 3-4 cups of filter coffee per day though with no ill effects .

[Doped in reply to Optidad]

There in lies the difference, I'm very sensitive to caffeine and now I only have an occasional decaf

[Optidad]

L-Theanine 100mg and Caffeine 50mg Capsules | Energy Boost, Alertness, Invigorating | Oxford Vitality (120) amzn.eu/d/4N8PKyV

This is the pill I ordered from amazon . The L Theanine is what counteracts the jitters associated with caffeine. L Theanine on its own is supposed to cause a calming effect , some people use it on its own to relax the mind to help sleep. It's extracted from green tea . I've bought it from Holland and Barrett but it can be quite expensive ( one local health store was upwards of 45 euro for a months supply ) , the Amazon source is significantly cheaper .

It sounds counterintuitive that it should work but deffo I'm finding the benefit . I'm going to take a 100mg caffeine/ 200mg l theanine ( 2 pills) and will report back ASAP.

[DicCarlson]

You could just add high quality green tea (matcha seems to be the best source) which contains a high amount of L-Theanine and caffeine.

matcha.com/blogs/news/the-g...

[Optidad in reply to DicCarlson]

That's right , Matcha is the best source , never was fond of the taste though , but deffo a good way , thanks