JamieMarc
Very helpful member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2021
- Messages
- 577
- Reason
- DX FIBRO
- Diagnosis
- 10/2021
- Country
- US
- State
- FL
Hello, everyone!
Today I wanted to write about RLS, restless legs syndrome. About 1/3 of FM sufferers also experience RLS. I'm one of them. RLS can also affect the arms in some people. Typically, it occurs when you're sitting or lying down and have this need to move the legs (or arms). It can be very problematic, especially with sleep disruption, and we all know how critical healthy sleep is in FM.
Iron.
Iron is one of the three natural treatments for RLS. Iron works for RLS because it is a required mineral to produce dopamine, and RLS is caused by low levels of dopamine. But taking too much iron can be dangerous, so please don't take iron unless you have been tested and talked with your doctor first. Just this past week I asked my GP to please test me for my iron levels. Looking back at my labs for the past 25 years, I saw I had never been tested. When I asked my doctor why iron is not included in the CMP battery of tests, she said it's because an iron deficiency will frequently show up elsewhere, particularly in the hemoglobin blood test. And that would alert the medical professional that something is wrong, such as iron deficiency.
I'll be getting a ferritin test in 6 months when I go in for my next routine bloodwork with my GP/ID doc. Less than 10 ng/dL is considered iron deficiency. The ideal level is about 70 ng/dL, especially if you suffer from RLS.
Iron bisglycinate is the most gentle and easily absorbed form of iron. Iron supplements can cause uncomfortable side effects in some people, so this form of iron is recommended first. Again, don't supplement without knowing your iron level because it can be dangerous in high levels. Other forms, if you cannot tolerate a supplement orally, are topical iron and iron patches. Topical iron will cause skin discoloration, so if that is bothersome and you cannot take a supplement orally, the patch would be the way to go.
Magnesium. The relaxation mineral.
Most of us probably already take a magnesium supplement since it's so important when treating FM. Personally, for my RLS and for sleep, I LOVE my topical magnesium oil. However, if you prefer a supplement, magnesium glycinate is the most easily absorbed and least likely to cause loose stools. I take 100mg of magnesium glycinate in the afternoon and a total of six sprays of magnesium oil at bedtime on my arms, legs and abdomen. It works fast, and I immediately feel relaxed when I crawl into bed with little to no RLS occurrence.
CBD.
@sunkacola recently introduced me to CBD for Life's Original Rub. I've been using it for my osteoarthritis flare-ups, but after learning that it can help with RLS, I am going to add that to my pre-sleep routine as well. I'm excited to find out the results. If you're not crazy about using a topical rub, then I would recommend a tincture. CBD has no psychoactive effects, so no need to worry about that.
I hope this information will help someone else suffering from RLS, too.
Hugs!
Today I wanted to write about RLS, restless legs syndrome. About 1/3 of FM sufferers also experience RLS. I'm one of them. RLS can also affect the arms in some people. Typically, it occurs when you're sitting or lying down and have this need to move the legs (or arms). It can be very problematic, especially with sleep disruption, and we all know how critical healthy sleep is in FM.
Iron.
Iron is one of the three natural treatments for RLS. Iron works for RLS because it is a required mineral to produce dopamine, and RLS is caused by low levels of dopamine. But taking too much iron can be dangerous, so please don't take iron unless you have been tested and talked with your doctor first. Just this past week I asked my GP to please test me for my iron levels. Looking back at my labs for the past 25 years, I saw I had never been tested. When I asked my doctor why iron is not included in the CMP battery of tests, she said it's because an iron deficiency will frequently show up elsewhere, particularly in the hemoglobin blood test. And that would alert the medical professional that something is wrong, such as iron deficiency.
I'll be getting a ferritin test in 6 months when I go in for my next routine bloodwork with my GP/ID doc. Less than 10 ng/dL is considered iron deficiency. The ideal level is about 70 ng/dL, especially if you suffer from RLS.
Iron bisglycinate is the most gentle and easily absorbed form of iron. Iron supplements can cause uncomfortable side effects in some people, so this form of iron is recommended first. Again, don't supplement without knowing your iron level because it can be dangerous in high levels. Other forms, if you cannot tolerate a supplement orally, are topical iron and iron patches. Topical iron will cause skin discoloration, so if that is bothersome and you cannot take a supplement orally, the patch would be the way to go.
Magnesium. The relaxation mineral.
Most of us probably already take a magnesium supplement since it's so important when treating FM. Personally, for my RLS and for sleep, I LOVE my topical magnesium oil. However, if you prefer a supplement, magnesium glycinate is the most easily absorbed and least likely to cause loose stools. I take 100mg of magnesium glycinate in the afternoon and a total of six sprays of magnesium oil at bedtime on my arms, legs and abdomen. It works fast, and I immediately feel relaxed when I crawl into bed with little to no RLS occurrence.
CBD.
@sunkacola recently introduced me to CBD for Life's Original Rub. I've been using it for my osteoarthritis flare-ups, but after learning that it can help with RLS, I am going to add that to my pre-sleep routine as well. I'm excited to find out the results. If you're not crazy about using a topical rub, then I would recommend a tincture. CBD has no psychoactive effects, so no need to worry about that.
I hope this information will help someone else suffering from RLS, too.
Hugs!
