Relationship between Fibromyalgia and Restless Leg Syndrome

It happens a lot that when you think that you have dealt with every single symptom of fibromyalgia, out of nowhere one more symptom thrown at you. And that one more will be something you have never imagined having a connection with fibromyalgia. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is another symptom added in that list.

A huge percentage of people with fibromyalgia are affected by restless leg syndrome which makes the people suffer from it too. But why it happens? What causes RLS? Why do both fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome occur together so often?

About Restless Leg Syndrome

Restless leg syndrome is a type of condition in which it is much difficult for you to keep your legs still. Sudden jerks have been experienced by people in RLS and they are not able to control it they start getting an uncomfortable feeling in the legs that makes them want to move their legs. That feeling mostly comes in the form of pins and needles sensation or tingling in the limbs.

Usually, during the day, these symptoms would be so much more difficult to deal with, but the actual problem starts to occur when people having RLS have to go to bed. The need to move your legs doesn’t end just because you need to sleep and this would result in people with RLS having a harder time getting a good night’s sleep.

Due to RLS, chronic sleep deprivation occurs which can be very dangerous for the health. There is more risk of having serious health issues for people who fail to get enough sleep over a long period. These serious health conditions include diabetes, a weakened immune system, high blood pressure, and heart disease among other conditions. All these things make RLS a severe condition.

Relationship between Fibromyalgia and Restless Leg Syndrome

We know that there is a relation between fibromyalgia and RLS, but unfortunately, we don’t know how it links. But right now we have the best theory that says that both of these conditions have something to do with the brain that sends messages along the nervous system. Nervous system runs all over the body while relaying the information to and from the brain constantly. You can control some of these signals like lifting your arm. Other signals are done automatically like beating of the heart. These nerves also register the sensation of pain when it comes to fibromyalgia.

But these signals may get twisted sometimes and then the brain starts to feel pain without any clear cause. Overactive nerve signals may be behind having RLS. And it may also play some part in symptoms of fibromyalgia which could also explain why more than 60% of people with fibromyalgia also suffer from RLS.

At the moment, it is just an assumption. It is not confirmed what causes RLS or fibromyalgia. Until then, we can only rely on theories to find a link between these two conditions. But among all theories, the one with faulty nerve signals seems a good explanation.

Furthermore, a lot of fibromyalgia sufferers have to deal with RLS also in addition to all symptoms that make it difficult to get proper sleep. And this lack of sleep may also result in making other symptoms like mental fog that usually comes along with fibromyalgia, worse.

Treating RLS

So, what do you need to do if you have both fibromyalgia and restless leg syndrome? Well, no 100% effective treatments are available for either of these conditions, but some simple pulls in the routine can make the symptoms of RLS a little bit more manageable.

For beginners, try to make the best sleep habits into practice as much as you can. Avoid taking caffeine when you are about to go to bed. Caffeine can make RLS worse, as it is a stimulant. Moreover, make sure to eliminate smoking habits, as it can be the risk factor for many health issues and it severely interferes with your sleeping habits.

At last, try to do exercise as much as you can and make it a habit. Of course, it is difficult for people with fibromyalgia. Overwhelming flare-ups can be set off by exercise, so make sure to not to overdo it. You need to get into marathons. All you need is a little walking habit when you are feeling fine. A little exercise is much better than doing nothing.