Working With Sleep Deprivation.

[Tpebop]

Yeah, okay, it was my own fault. I usually take a fifth 0.088mg tab of pramipexole shortly before going to bed to see me thro' the night. Unfortunately, last night, I didn't. So, at 03:45 this a.m. I awoke with RLS. Problem: I have to get up at 04:45 and knew it would be pointless trying to get back to sleep. Result: I'm gonna be exhausted later.

I know that I will be like a zombie at work. Fortunately my boss is supportive and I can get by on additional coffee and fresh air breaks. Question: those of you out there who share this problem (of RLS related sleep deprivation), have you any useful tips, i.e. does a certain type of tea or exercise keep you awake? I'd like to know.

Cheers friends! Tpebop, Kent, Britain.

[Hidden]

This is not an easy one to answer, as we all react differently to food, exercise etc. I could say one thing that keeps me awake, and someone else would say it didnt for them and vice versa.

[Lulu1976]

Hi Tpebop,

How nice to hear that there are understanding managers out there. Mine's certainly not! Sleep deprivation is horrendous and it's difficult to understand if you haven't experienced it.

I too take pramipexole for RLS. I used to have to take 2 x 0.088 tablets. I made some lifestyle changes, cutting out as many stimulants as possible. I gave up smoking, alcohol and caffeine (including chocolate) and weaned off medication for Bipolar. I also started acupuncture. The result so far is that I now only need half a tablet and sometimes no pramipexole at all. As Elisse says, what works for one doesn't for another, but it makes sense to cut out stimulants which may be aggravating RLS.

[Hidden]

I work and have RA, RLS..

both are bad for sleep.

Caffeine is the only way that I can possibly function but early

in the morning I have to "IF" I go that route. I'm done with all

caffeine by 11am. Caffeine can stay in our systems long after

ingestion.

Aspirin has quite a big amount of caffeine in it. I take that usually

to get going and to rid myself of the headache and body aches

that follow not sleeping well..

I'm starting the Juicing theory today.. I spent money on a bullet

to add some vegetables.. and fruits that my diet lacks. I don't

seriously eat 5-6 servings a day of both. My hope is more

energy and better sleep.

I take a walk at work during my break if I can get away from

my work. It helps if you power walk..exhausted as you are.

But I don't do it if my body is buzzing from sleep deprivation.

Sometimes I feel like I could crash into a wall walking and

not feel a thing after 2 nights of non-sleeping.

[Dollis]

Just want to offer you working RLS sufferers my huge sympathy. I can't enjoy my retirement as I'd like but I don't have the pressures you guys have on a daily basis. RESPECT!

[jfward2012]

I hear you. When I wake up I walk around a bit, massage my legs, even do some yoga exercises, stretch etc. and try to get my mind off it and after a while my meds kicks in and I'm actually able to get back to sleep. Fortunately, I'm now retired so I sleep as long as I can, but when I was working, I didn't have the leisure of sleeping in so up I'd get shower, eat and off to work. By 2:00 pm. I was falling asleep at my desk and not quite as sharp as I'd like to have been. I'd end up falling asleep on my couch by 8:00 pm. After 5 years of this, I decided time to retire, I was 60, and also the fact that my daughter in law was going off mat leave so I could spend a couple days looking after my grandson -- it was perfect timing. Don't miss it at all.

Also, I find that no matter how bad my legs are if I sit in a bath it goes away immediately.

One more thing. I just had a knee replacement operation, and during the 3 days I was in hospital, I was on morphine and some other narcotics - it was wonderful, no pain, and no restless leg - I didn't take any meds for RLS during that time. But unfortunately, you can't stay on morphine and hard narcotics forever, so it did come back and worse, because I am unable to be active during the day now as I'm recovering from the operation, so I'm take meds during the day as well. Awful stuff,,,,