# Argh! Please help me get rid of this Restless Leg Syndrome!!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 8, 2009, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069 "2009-06-08T03:55:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2009, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/21 "2009-06-09T14:24:19Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > What is RLS? 'Cause when I sit I’m bouncing either one leg or the other (sometimes both!) up and down off the ball of my foot. I have done this for years. Sometimes (like now) I’m really cognizant of it and others I’m not even aware I’m doing it. > > I don’t have any leg muscle contractions that are involuntary while trying to sleep. But what is this that I do? Just a nervous habit? What you’re describing is more of a nervous habit, a way of fidgeting. Not RLS. From [rls.org](http://rls.org): > [@What Is RLS](#): > > Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological condition that is characterized by the irresistible urge to move the legs. While the name may sound funny, it is a very real disorder. In order for you to be officially diagnosed with RLS, you must meet the criteria described in the four bullets below: > > ``` > * You have a strong urge to move your legs which you may not be able to resist. The need to move is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. Some words used to describe these sensations include: creeping, itching, pulling, creepy-crawly, tugging, or gnawing. > * Your RLS symptoms start or become worse when you are resting. The longer you are resting, the greater the chance the symptoms will occur and the more severe they are likely to be. > * Your RLS symptoms get better when you move your legs. The relief can be complete or only partial but generally starts very soon after starting an activity. Relief persists as long as the motor activity continues. > * Your RLS symptoms are worse in the evening especially when you are lying down. Activities that bother you at night do not bother you during the day. > > ``` > > RLS can also cause difficulty in falling or staying asleep which can be one of the chief complaints of the syndrome. A substantial number of people who have RLS also have periodic limb movements of sleep (PLMS). These are jerks that occur every 20 to 30 seconds on and off throughout the night. This can cause partial awakenings that disrupt sleep. Sleep deprivation can seriously impact your work, relationships, and health. The involuntary movements while sleeping (or attempting to) are part of a comorbid condition called PLMD (Periodic Leg Movements Disorder). A large percentage of people who have one also have the other (I’ve got both). ---
**Author:** ![Tahoe222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@Tahoe222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tahoe222)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/22 "2009-06-09T21:22:19Z")
> [@PeacePlease](#): > > What is RLS? 'Cause when I sit I’m bouncing either one leg or the other (sometimes both!) up and down off the ball of my foot. I have done this for years. Sometimes (like now) I’m really cognizant of it and others I’m not even aware I’m doing it. > > I don’t have any leg muscle contractions that are involuntary while trying to sleep. But what is this that I do? Just a nervous habit? Mama Zappa is right. RLS has to be the unresistable urge to move. What you are describing is just a nervous habit. Do some reading and some googling. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tahoe222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9a28c/32.png) [@Tahoe222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tahoe222)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/23 "2009-06-09T21:26:11Z")
> [@NRichards](#): > > Thanks for all of the suggestions! I have an appointment with my doctor on Wednessday, and will talk with him about it. I had a really good workout tonite before work (at work now). Most of the twitchies are in my calves, and I find it hard to target that area to tire them out. I did the treadmill on a steep incline, and tried to walk in such a way to stress the calves. We’ll see if it helps! So, you work the evening shift, or night shift? Be careful on the exercise. HOwever, you are not doing it close to bed time, so probabaly not a factor. If you get your legs too excited too close to bed time, they will keep on going. :rolleyes: It is best to get your exercise at least 3 hrs before sleeping time, so you have a chance for them to mellow out. Let us know how it goes at the doc’s. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![NRichards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@NRichards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NRichards)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/24 "2009-06-10T06:34:13Z")
> [@Tahoe222](#): > > So, you work the evening shift, or night shift? Be careful on the exercise. HOwever, you are not doing it close to bed time, so probabaly not a factor. If you get your legs too excited too close to bed time, they will keep on going. :rolleyes: > > It is best to get your exercise at least 3 hrs before sleeping time, so you have a chance for them to mellow out. > Let us know how it goes at the doc’s. 🙂 I work the overnight shift. I workout before I go in to work, so plenty of time before I go to bed. The workouts in the past few days are helping bigtime. Last night I started having a major fit of RLS, and spent about 15 minutes stretching my legs. Didn’t take it away completly, but it made it go away enough where I wasn’t crying out of frustration. I see the doc tomorrow, will let you all know how it goes! ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/25 "2009-06-10T21:58:01Z")
I don’t have RLS, but I get that feeling every so often (usually when I’m stressed out, or sick or something), and it’s usually pretty mild. I found a touch of Ben-Gay behind my knees helps. I don’t know if this will help, but I figured I’d offer it up anyways. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2009, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/26 "2009-06-10T22:51:03Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > I don’t have RLS, but I get that feeling every so often (usually when I’m stressed out, or sick or something), and it’s usually pretty mild. > > I found a touch of Ben-Gay behind my knees helps. I don’t know if this will help, but I figured I’d offer it up anyways. That’s actually similar to what folks on the RLS email list recommended, years back (I haven’t heard much mention of it lately). I distinctly remembering the mention of capsaicin cream (the stuff that makes hot peppers hot). Some felt it offered a bit of relief. The advice, however, was to NOT take a hot shower too soon after using it. The heat from the shower, and from the cream… was synergistic. :eek::smack: ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2009, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/27 "2009-06-11T01:07:38Z")
Or apply it AFTER a shower. (I mostly use it for muscle cramps, but then I got the idea to use it when my legs were bothering me once). Years ago, I stretched a muscle swimming or something, and I thought it would help even more if I used Ben-Gay or IcyHot or whatever the hell it is after a shower. HOLY SHIT!!! Do NOT do this!!! ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/28 "2009-07-11T02:17:00Z")
Just bumping this to see if **NRichards** is getting any relief. ---
**Author:** ![schnuckiputzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@schnuckiputzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schnuckiputzi)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2009, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/29 "2009-07-11T04:55:17Z")
Just adding my two cents – Icy Hot helps my RLS, seems to at least confuse the leg with two sensations so it gives up.😉 ---
**Author:** ![NRichards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@NRichards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NRichards)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/30 "2009-07-12T06:14:24Z")
Oh wow, I forgot about this thread! Update: I was officially diagnosed with RLS by my MD. on July 6th. It has progressed big-time in the past couple of weeks. I now have symptoms 24-hours a day. I’m having a wicked hard time sleeping. Did not sleep a wink last night, just walked around my friends apartment quietly crying to myself. Thankfully, I managed to get some sleep before work tonight. I’ve been prescribed Requip, but haven’t been on it long enough to notice a difference yet. In a fit of frustration/desperation, I bought a percussion massager at Wal-Mart tonight. It provides temporary relief, but symptoms come back as soon as the stimulation has stopped. Today I would say I am in a bad way with all this, mainly emotionally. As I have mentioned elsewhere, I am a recovering alcoholic/addict. I feel this is jeopardizing my sobriety big-time. Once the thought of “I’d be throwing my life away, but at least I’d have relief/be able to sleep,” pops into your head, it’s difficult to get out of your head. ☹ Been leaning on my AA support system big-time, trying to fight the good fight. I’m going to be checking out some support sites (I’m at work till morning). This is just getting to be too much to handle. ---
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/31 "2009-07-12T12:08:13Z")
Hang in there! Requip should give you some relief once you hit the right amount. If not, Mirapex is another option, too. I have taken both with definite success and I am also on lithium which does not seem to be a factor in usefulness for me. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/32 "2009-07-12T14:01:45Z")
I’ve found that timing is important with Requip. I try to take it 2-3 hours before bed so that it has had time to work. Since your symptoms are so bad, you should let your doctor know and he may very well increase your dosage. Requip comes in many dosages and more than likely, he’s starting you off on one of the lower dosages. I’d also give Icy Hot a shot so that you can take advantage of the gateway theory of pain. Most of all, hang in there! RLS is controllable, you should have to learn your own personal secret handshake. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2009, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069/33 "2009-07-12T17:02:27Z")
> [@KRM](#): > > I’ve found that timing is important with Requip. I try to take it 2-3 hours before bed so that it has had time to work. Since your symptoms are so bad, you should let your doctor know and he may very well increase your dosage. Requip comes in many dosages and more than likely, he’s starting you off on one of the lower dosages. > > I’d also give Icy Hot a shot so that you can take advantage of the gateway theory of pain. > > Most of all, hang in there! RLS is controllable, you should have to learn your own personal secret handshake. Ditto on the Requip. This is what I use. If I don’t take it at the right time, I have issues. Too late, and the legs are twitchy and I can’t get to sleep. Too early, and I feel like shit (it seems to give me flu-ish symptoms - aches, sometimes chills, often I feel like a zombie, always I feel nauseous). Lately I’ve been experimenting with taking a lower dose (quarter or half mg) around 7, then the “full” dose (1 mg) just before bedtime. That seems to work, if I remember to take it 7ish, it averts the worst of the bedtime twitches. In your case if you’re having 24/7 symptoms, discuss with the doc whether you should be on a smaller amount of Requip over the course of the day - e.g. if you’re taking 1 MG at bedtime, take 1/4 mg periodically over the course of the day plus some more at bedtime. Requip isn’t one of those meds that takes a few days to build up to a certain body level before it becomes effective. It _is_, however, one where it can take a few days of gradually-increasing doses before you build up to the right dose for you (most people find they can’t just jump into a full dose or they have side effects such as nausea). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-please-help-me-get-rid-of-this-restless-leg-syndrome/499069.md?page=1)