# Restless Leg Syndrome FUCKING SUCKS! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 16, 2007, 10:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665 "2007-11-16T10:37:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/161 "2007-11-20T06:31:30Z")
> [@](#): > > hypnagogic jerk And what a great epithet! “You blankity-blank hypnagogic jerk!” ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/162 "2007-11-20T07:16:37Z")
[QUOTE=woodstockbirdybird] I don’t have RLS, but I’ve got something that seems sorta similar - whenever I’m getting close to falling asleep, I itch like fucking crazy. [/QUOTE] I seem to recall reading somewhere years ago the body’s histamine levels fluctuate throughout the day, with a surge in the evening. IME, if I’ve got bug bites, mosquito etc, they start iching something fierce shortly before bedtime. Shortly before bedtime is also when my RLS will sometimes kick in really strong. It’s like my body is telling me it’s time for sleep, even though my brain isn’t quite there yet. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/163 "2007-11-20T13:18:10Z")
[QUOTE=woodstockbirdybird] The hambone’s connected to the spleen bone, Woody [/QUOTE] You are killing me. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2007, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/164 "2007-11-20T13:49:27Z")
[QUOTE=squeegee] “You blankity-blank hypnagogic jerk!” [/QUOTE] Um… That would be “You blankity-blank hypnagogic **circle** jerk!” Thank you for your kind attention to this detail. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2007, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/165 "2007-11-21T14:24:11Z")
In the past some magnesium and calcium supplements have helped me, but recently they have done no good. I tried some of the other remedies suggested on the web, but not until last night did I find much relief. Ginko Biloba gave me a night of peace. My point is, different things might help different people, so as long as they are safe, give some of the other things a try. ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2007, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/166 "2007-11-22T06:36:25Z")
Thank you, **Darth Nader**. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2007, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/167 "2007-11-22T11:02:07Z")
[QUOTE=Khadaji] In the past some magnesium and calcium supplements have helped me, but recently they have done no good. I tried some of the other remedies suggested on the web, but not until last night did I find much relief. Ginko Biloba gave me a night of peace. My point is, different things might help different people, so as long as they are safe, give some of the other things a try. [/QUOTE] Last night was the second night with Ginko. It was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in weeks! ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Nader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Darth\_Nader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Nader)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2007, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/168 "2007-11-22T21:03:43Z")
[QUOTE=Hypnagogic Jerk] … [/QUOTE] 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2007, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/169 "2007-11-23T01:05:37Z")
allow me to clarify something about RLS: it is NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT legs moving on their own without direction from the owner. What it is is the _ALMOST_ uncontrollable **URGE** to do so because of **UNPLEASANT SENSATIONS WITHIN THE LEG** that cry out to be alleviated, and the alleviation technique most people turn to is spasming and twitching and thrashing. Or walking or exercising or getting someone to massage you. Like I said earlier… it’s like a tickle deep inside and you wanna slap whoever’s tickling you, but they are inside so all you can do is try and knock 'em away with spastic motion. Any true RLS sufferers disagree with this? ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2007, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/170 "2007-11-23T01:43:59Z")
[QUOTE=Stoid] allow me to clarify something about RLS: it is NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT legs moving on their own without direction from the owner. What it is is the _ALMOST_ uncontrollable **URGE** to do so because of **UNPLEASANT SENSATIONS WITHIN THE LEG** that cry out to be alleviated, and the alleviation technique most people turn to is spasming and twitching and thrashing. Or walking or exercising or getting someone to massage you. Like I said earlier… it’s like a tickle deep inside and you wanna slap whoever’s tickling you, but they are inside so all you can do is try and knock 'em away with spastic motion. Any true RLS sufferers disagree with this? [/QUOTE] This is a very good discription. Because of a new work schedule, I didn’t take my Mirapex two hours before bedtime last night, and I was treated to a hour of RLS before it finally kicked in. I will remember to take my Mirapex on time from now on! ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2007, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/171 "2007-11-23T02:31:32Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] Man, when I was taking Paxil I used to get it so bad I thought I would go crazy. [/QUOTE] …this explains so, so much. No, seriously, I had never heard of a link to Paxil before this, and I’ve been taking Paxil for almost as long as I can remember and I have RLS. I’ve also been down the clonazepam path for other issues, but I didn’t find any difference with RLS. I’ve never made a huge fuss over it. My legs are almost constantly moving during the day, but since I’m otherwise preoccupied, I only notice when other people become annoyed by it. If I get it in bed 10 or 15 minutes of rolling around the bed like a beached whale and kicking my legs will tire me out enough so I can sleep. The only time it gets unbearable is when I’m sick. I really don’t know what it is, but if I have a cold or the flu or anything that taxes my body, it’s like my body stops fighting off the urge to stop moving and goes to fight the other problems, which is a vicious circle because I’m sicker than a dog but can’t fall asleep because I feel a compulsion to move. ---
**Author:** ![Chotii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Chotii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chotii)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2007, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/172 "2007-11-23T06:49:04Z")
Just tossing out a comment here: I have RLS…sometimes. It’s worse when I’m anemic, and when I drink alcohol. It’s better if I eat bananas and take sublingual magnesium. Orgasm will shut it off long enough to let me sleep. But quinine does nothing for me. My father has it. Quinine helps him, and magnesium does not. I’ve never considered asking him whether orgasm helps him. :eek: I’m not sure why some posters in this thread are so quick to dismiss non-Allopathic remedies. If something works for me…it works for me. And it makes no difference to me frankly if it’s mere placebo - hey, I’ll take whatever relief I can get. If I can get relief without side effects, that’s even better. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2007, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/173 "2007-11-23T11:22:09Z")
Well, since there have been some posters in this thread who think we are making it up because we saw an advertisement on TV… I have tried lots of different things over the years. Some things (such as eating banannas) would help on some nights and not on others. Exercise right before bed - which another poster said gave him relief) guaranteed me a horrible night. Since the only side effect of the Mirapex I have discovered has been vivid dreams, which I quite enjoy, I consider myself lucky. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2007, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/174 "2007-11-23T14:36:15Z")
[QUOTE=Chotii] \I’m not sure why some posters in this thread are so quick to dismiss non-Allopathic remedies. If something works for me…it works for me. And it makes no difference to me frankly if it’s mere placebo - hey, I’ll take whatever relief I can get. If I can get relief without side effects, that’s even better. [/QUOTE] I think people underestimate the benefits of the placebo effect. I’d like to try a placebo first every time I need to take a pill, and see how far I get with that. The power of the mind is an amazing thing. ETA: It is really interesting how different things work/don’t work for different people with the same basic condition. The quinine works wonderfully for me (in the form of tonic water). ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/175 "2007-11-24T03:23:55Z")
I have Restless Penis Syndrome. Rubbing it for 10-15 minutes seems to clear the problem right up. ---
**Author:** ![Chotii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Chotii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chotii)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/176 "2007-11-24T04:14:21Z")
[QUOTE=featherlou] I think people underestimate the benefits of the placebo effect. I’d like to try a placebo first every time I need to take a pill, and see how far I get with that. The power of the mind is an amazing thing. ETA: It is really interesting how different things work/don’t work for different people with the same basic condition. The quinine works wonderfully for me (in the form of tonic water). [/QUOTE] I tried tonic water. Gah. Can’t gag it down. Can’t stand bitter anything. Too bad jalapeno peppers won’t help. I could eat those all day long. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/177 "2007-11-24T17:54:52Z")
Restless Leg Syndrome is just an excuse for masturbating in public. ---
**Author:** ![Chotii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@Chotii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chotii)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/178 "2007-11-24T18:38:50Z")
…and hiccups are just an excuse for holding your breath until you turn blue. Right. ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85e7bf/32.png) [@River\_Hister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hister)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/179 "2007-11-24T18:53:56Z")
Is this some genetic american thing? I wouldn’t disregard all you lot who claim you have it, so it clearly exists, but pretty much only in America. A lot of diseases seem to be like that actually. Could also be that the nhs doesn’t like giving people drugs, of course. Maybe this needs a new thread? ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665/180 "2007-11-24T18:58:50Z")
[QUOTE=Chotii] …and hiccups are just an excuse for holding your breath until you turn blue. [/QUOTE] Funny, I’ve never had to sit next to someone constantly hiccuping. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restless-leg-syndrome-fucking-sucks/426665.md?page=10)