# How do you deal with Restless Leg Syndrome? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 18, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457 "2011-07-18T15:57:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/21 "2011-07-19T12:12:25Z")
Some physicians I work with do procedures to treat varicose veins - not just the surface stuff; the valve problems in the deeper venus system. Apparently that can be a cause of/contributor to RLS… ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/22 "2011-07-19T13:23:49Z")
I like to think I have almost completely ‘cured’ my RLS with the following things. It still happens occasionally, but much, much less. 1. Lots of potassium. Eat bananas. Take a daily multivitamin. 2. Get enough sleep, and the right kind of sleep. That is, NO NAPS. Naps always cause it. 3. When it happens, take an ibuprofen. If you are sleeping, stop trying to sleep, that will not help. Get up and do something. I don’t really like pills much, because I feel like they are treating the symptoms and not the cause, but if that’s what it takes, don’t hesitate! However, at least sleep and good health cannot hurt, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/23 "2011-07-19T14:13:45Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Out of curiosity, do you recall what the pills were? I don’t. That was kind of a long time ago. ---
**Author:** ![Foxy40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Foxy40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foxy40)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/24 "2011-07-19T15:12:56Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > Finally broke down and started on Requip (ropinirole). It’s not perfect - if I take it early enough that my legs are totally quiet by the time I’m ready for bed, I feel like hell before I finally pass out - achy, groggy, “flu-ish”. If I don’t take it early enough, my legs will be twitching and making me miserable. > > And… it doesn’t make me feel any better the next day (I’ve got several other things going on, sleep-wise). But it does make it easier to lose consciousness. Are you sure you actually have RLS and not PLMS? RLS is more an uncomfortable, MUST MOVE LEGS sensation rather than an involuntary twitching. ---
**Author:** ![Kiber](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiber/32/317_2.png) [@Kiber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiber)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/25 "2011-07-19T19:57:41Z")
Long term, I’ve had the best luck with regular exercise. As long as I run regularly, it’s not a problem. If I stop for a period of time (injury, travel, whatever) it starts to come back. Oddly, when I return to exercise and start to increase my activity, it gets much worse for a few days. If I can power through and keep up the running, it typically goes away and I don’t notice it anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2011, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/26 "2011-07-19T20:11:55Z")
Right, Kiber, I forgot to include exercise. Every day, even if it’s only 20-30 minutes, but you must get your legs moving and use those muscles. ---
**Author:** ![buzyone11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/858c86/32.png) [@buzyone11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buzyone11)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/27 "2012-02-17T14:30:34Z")
Hey! I also have RLS…and I was thinking about getting a medical marijuana card for this…seeing as the only time it seems to go away is after I have smoked…I am currently in the process of getting my forms signed…but I’m in need of a doctor…I’ve found a few websites: [medical marijuana doctors](http://www.marijuana-doctors.ca/medical_marijuana_doctors.htm) as well as [weed doctor](http://www.weed-doctor.ca) but i am not sure if i am barking up the rght tree…does anyone have any tips?? ---
**Author:** ![Kasper1014](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c89c15/32.png) [@Kasper1014](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kasper1014)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/28 "2012-02-17T15:27:26Z")
I have RLS, showed up after a major surgery. My Neurologist prescribed neurontin. I take 300mgs two hours before going to bed. It’s the only thing that has helped. I also learned that taking Benadryl for a sleep aid can make the RLS worse in most cases. ---
**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:** [February 17, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/29 "2012-02-17T16:13:57Z")
> [@buzyone11](#): > > Hey! I also have RLS…and I was thinking about getting a medical marijuana card for this…seeing as the only time it seems to go away is after I have smoked…I am currently in the process of getting my forms signed…but I’m in need of a doctor…I’ve found a few websites: [medical marijuana doctors](http://www.marijuana-doctors.ca/medical_marijuana_doctors.htm) as well as [weed doctor](http://www.weed-doctor.ca) but i am not sure if i am barking up the rght tree…does anyone have any tips?? I’m on an email list for RLS and there are several people there who use marinol (the pill version of marijuana) as part of their regime to control the condition. I don’t recall whether any listmembers have specifically said they _smoke_ marijuana, but the reference to marinol suggests that it might be helpful. Beyond that, I have no idea how to track down a doctor to prescribe the stuff. ---
**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:** [February 17, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/30 "2012-02-17T16:16:44Z")
> [@Foxy40](#): > > Are you sure you actually have RLS and not PLMS? RLS is more an uncomfortable, MUST MOVE LEGS sensation rather than an involuntary twitching. I missed this posting before but yes - I have both. A very large percentage of RLS sufferers also have PLMS and vice-versa. ---
**Author:** ![nofloyd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nofloyd/32/2870_2.png) [@nofloyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nofloyd)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/31 "2012-02-17T16:54:22Z")
My mom suffered terribly from this at night, quinine was suggested back then? She used to try a sm glass of tonic water. Sometimes after having an alcoholic drink, I feel my legs start to do the restless thing. Starts in the car on the way home. Happened enough times I think alcohol is a trigger in me. Man, it’s irritating. Hope it never develops further. ---
**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:** [February 17, 2012, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/32 "2012-02-17T18:22:27Z")
> [@nofloyd](#): > > My mom suffered terribly from this at night, quinine was suggested back then? She used to try a sm glass of tonic water. > > Sometimes after having an alcoholic drink, I feel my legs start to do the restless thing. Starts in the car on the way home. Happened enough times I think alcohol is a trigger in me. > Man, it’s irritating. Hope it never develops further. Quinine was often suggested, under the assumption that it was a form of leg cramps. That’s been thoroughly debunked though some out-of-date doctors still suggest it. Some RLSers do indeed find that alcohol can trigger symptoms (I haven’t particularly noticed this with myself). ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/33 "2012-02-17T18:33:35Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > Drinking milk in the evening seems to help me. No idea why. Stretching also helps. Someone told me taking calcium would help with leg cramps while sleeping. It works for me. Maybe it’s related. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/34 "2012-02-17T18:43:55Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Someone told me taking calcium would help with leg cramps while sleeping. It works for me. Maybe it’s related. IANAD, but I don’t think it’s related. Cramps are muscular, RLD is neurological. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_Next\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@Girl\_Next\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_Next_Door)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/35 "2012-02-18T05:50:32Z")
Orgasm. I’m not joking. Works like a charm. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2012, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/36 "2012-02-18T05:56:53Z")
> [@Girl\_Next\_Door](#): > > Orgasm. > > I’m not joking. Works like a charm. 😃 Unfortunately, the relief doesn’t last much longer than the afterglow :(. But yeah - this is something that even the Big Guns at Hopkins concur with (when I met with them 10+ years ago). ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/37 "2012-02-18T06:39:06Z")
> [@Girl\_Next\_Door](#): > > Orgasm. > > I’m not joking. Works like a charm. I like this. Makes sense, orgasm brings release in so many ways. And not just when in the moment. ---
**Author:** ![scootergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@scootergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scootergirl)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/38 "2012-02-18T06:40:48Z")
Stretch. Increase iron intake. And what **Girl Next Door** said. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FrillyNettles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7ea924/32.png) [@FrillyNettles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrillyNettles)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2012, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457/39 "2012-02-18T13:45:50Z")
There is a high correlation between RLS and serum ferritin \< 50. Iron supplementation, as recommended above, should help. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-restless-leg-syndrome/589457.md?page=1)