Exercise

[Cookiebum24]

I’ve finally found a combination that has eased my RLS. I’ve recently started exercising, in particular weight training.

I don’t know if it’s a coincidence or not but, since I have been exercising my RLS has worsened! I am awake for hours in the night with intense pain in my hips and thighs and chest ve been having RLS in my ankles again.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Do you think it’s the stretching of my leg muscles that’s causing it and will it ease in time?

I am currently on 10mcg patch Buprenorphine with Pregabalin (a flexible dose up to 200mg) and I take a sleeping tablet every night.

[Joolsg]

Exercise can worsen RLS if done in afternoon or evening. It's best to do any exercise in the morning.Weight training usually helps because dopamine is stored in muscles.

Is there anything else that has changed?

Many people on the patch say it runs out at day 4 or 5. It doesn't last the full 7 days. So they use a new patch at day 5. Keeping the old one in place.

Does the RLS get worse on day 4 to 7?

[Cookiebum24 in reply to Joolsg]

I always exercise in the morning.

Nothing else has changed and I’ve never had a problem with my patch before. It’s not as effective on day 6&7 but to date, it’s kept RLS away.

I’m getting RLS in the afternoon and early evening too again now. It’s almost like my meds have stopped working!

[Joolsg in reply to Cookiebum24]

Maybe you can increase to 15 mcg patch. An upwards adjustment in the first year is normal.

[SueJohnson]

I agree with Joolsg.

[Goldy700]

I am in the 15 mcg of buprenorphine patch and at night I supplement with sublingual 200mcg at night Temgesic. I find this works very well for me.

[Cookiebum24 in reply to Goldy700]

I was taking sublingual Buprenorphine at night at too but the insomnia it gave me was unbearable and I just couldn’t function in the day…..not ideal when you have a full time job!

[Tildabri]

Hi Cookie, I also get worsened RLS after exercise (mainly weights, but also after some of the more testing yoga poses). For example, after a weights session (very gentle in my case) I do find that I get pains in my forearms at night, which feel very similar to RLS. Getting up and taking aspirin usually helps. I find that it does get better with time, and with more consistent practice. If I suddenly start exercising after a pause (even of only a week or so) I often have this problem.

[Cookiebum24 in reply to Tildabri]

Thanks. I’ll stick at it and hope it eases over time. The pregabalin has caused weight gain so I really need to stick to exercising and I’m also peri menopausal so I’m finding it harder to loose the weight!

[Tildabri in reply to Cookiebum24]

Tell me about it 🤨!

[violetta254]

If you are working out strenously, increasing your electrolytes and water might help to minimize RLS. I always have trouble if I do a lot of sweating. I take a couple of Salt Stick tablets and it usually calms my legs down. I also have a couple of pickles and a sometimes a little pickle juice.

[ziggypiggy]

Any physical symptom felt in the extremities can increase RLS symptoms. In your case it's probably soreness and also when you weight lift the natural process is the muscle fibers minutely tear and at night heal stronger. Healing from surgery can also have the same effect. Stretching is a big one for me. Without fail uyf I try to increase my flexibility it leads to flare-ups, regardless of how slow I take it. Hopefully you can treat it so you don't have to give up weight training. Sounds like you're enjoying it and it's very beneficial in so many ways.