Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

I usually enjoy a cup of coffee after dinner, but I've decided now to not have any caffeine after 6pm. I've been doing this for a week and I will say it has helped a little. I'm not one of those people who can ever give up caffeine completely...I don't drink or pop pills anymore, so it's my only vice. Plus with so many sleepless nights I drink coffee because I'm tired. It's a vicious cycle. But if this one small change helps, I'm encouraged.

It definitely helps some of us.

I cannot say that I noticed that much improvement by avoiding caffeine, but I do it now just in case. I drink a lot of diet Coke, so I now buy the decaffeinated version and my cup of morning coffee is also decaf now.

I used no caffeine for 15 years - still had RLS and PLMS. When the RLS got as bad as it is now, my neurologist at the time suggested I use it to help wake up. I started drinking coffee again after all those years without. No difference.

Regarding Diet Coke which contains Aspartame there are sufferers who would say Aspartame triggers (does not cause) rls symptoms. Upon some searching I find that "there is no scientific evidence that Aspartame has a connection with rls".

It is like our mantra - we are all different.
And of course the internet is a minefield of misinformation.

Update: I am continuing to forgo caffeine after 7pm, and at first it seemed to be helping, then something strange happened. I don't have the restless legs as I fall asleep but I have it closer to the morning, which I've never had before. This doesn't make sense to me. Has anyone else heard of this or experienced this? I'm sticking with my same dosage of Ropinirole. I don't want to up it because I don't want to get deeper into the augmentation hole right now.

Also, I've started taking Gentle Iron on an empty stomach, and no difference yet, but I'll give it time. Thanks for your comments!

I have RLS symptoms pretty much 24/7 and would be prone to awaken during the night with symptoms.
I wonder if you were to save a little of your evening dose of ropinerole and take it later, during the night, this helps me.

Polar Bear wrote:I have RLS symptoms pretty much 24/7 and would be prone to awaken during the night with symptoms.
I wonder if you were to save a little of your evening dose of ropinerole and take it later, during the night, this helps me.

Good tip! Thanks

67java89 wrote:Update: I am continuing to forgo caffeine after 7pm, and at first it seemed to be helping, then something strange happened. I don't have the restless legs as I fall asleep but I have it closer to the morning, which I've never had before. This doesn't make sense to me. Has anyone else heard of this or experienced this? I'm sticking with my same dosage of Ropinirole. I don't want to up it because I don't want to get deeper into the augmentation hole right now.

Also, I've started taking Gentle Iron on an empty stomach, and no difference yet, but I'll give it time. Thanks for your comments!

That happens to me once in awhile. I think the med is wearing off. I take a dose in the evening and a dose around midnight or 1 am. Otherwise, I'll get symptoms in the middle of the night, like 2 or 3 am.

67java89 wrote:Update: I am continuing to forgo caffeine after 7pm, and at first it seemed to be helping, then something strange happened. I don't have the restless legs as I fall asleep but I have it closer to the morning, which I've never had before. This doesn't make sense to me. Has anyone else heard of this or experienced this? I'm sticking with my same dosage of Ropinirole. I don't want to up it because I don't want to get deeper into the augmentation hole right now.

Also, I've started taking Gentle Iron on an empty stomach, and no difference yet, but I'll give it time. Thanks for your comments!

I started doing that, stopping caffeine in the afternoon. Then I kept moving in earlier and earlier. Finally, just in the morning. Now, none at all. This happened over many years, maybe 20 years or so. I could tell the difference. Then, I discovered it was also artificial sweeteners. It doesn't affect everyone.

My wife clandestinely weened me off caffeine in a week after a lifetime of drinking it. I was amazed how smoothly it went since I used to get a headache if I skipped it for one day. It seemed to help a bit with rls but more than that it significantly improved my bowels and I don't miss it much. I still drink too much decaf. Rick

I drink coffee at work usually until 2 I noticed my legs jerk all day now starting @ 9 or 10 am, so I'm trying to cut back and drink green tea after lunch it has a little caffeine just to help me stay awake.

I am continuing to forgo caffeine after 7pm, and at first it seemed to be helping, then something strange happened. I don't have the restless legs as I fall asleep but I have it closer to the morning, which I've never had before. This doesn't make sense to me. Has anyone else heard of this or experienced this? I'm sticking with my same dosage of Ropinirole. I don't want to up it because I don't want to get deeper into the augmentation hole right now.

The morning WED/RLS may have nothing to do with the coffee. DAs can cause rebound, which is a worsening of symptoms when they wear off, worse than they would have been if you hadn;t taken the medication. It's good you're not upping the ropinirole dose, but it's time to do something about the augmentation.