what is the cure for R.L.S. (restless leg syndrome)?
351795
How is restless legs syndrome treated?\n\n\n\nAlthough movement brings relief to those with RLS, it is generally only temporary. However, RLS can be controlled by finding any possible underlying disorder. Often, treating the associated medical condition, such as peripheral neuropathy or diabetes, will alleviate many symptoms. For patients with idiopathic RLS, treatment is directed toward relieving symptoms. \n\nFor those with mild to moderate symptoms, prevention is key, and many physicians suggest certain lifestyle changes and activities to reduce or eliminate symptoms. Decreased use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco may provide some relief. Physicians may suggest that certain individuals take supplements to correct deficiencies in iron, folate, and magnesium. Studies also have shown that maintaining a regular sleep pattern can reduce symptoms. Some individuals, finding that RLS symptoms are minimized in the early morning, change their sleep patterns. Others have found that a program of regular moderate exercise helps them sleep better; on the other hand, excessive exercise has been reported by some patients to aggravate RLS symptoms. Taking a hot bath, massaging the legs, or using a heating pad or ice pack can help relieve symptoms in some patients. Although many patients find some relief with such measures, rarely do these efforts completely eliminate symptoms \n\nPhysicians also may suggest a variety of medications to treat RLS. Generally, physicians choose from dopaminergics, benzodiazepines (central nervous system depressants), opioids, and anticonvulsants. Dopaminergic agents, largely used to treat Parkinson's disease, have been shown to reduce RLS symptoms and PLMD and are considered the initial treatment of choice. Good short-term results of treatment with levodopa plus carbidopa have been reported, although most patients eventually will develop augmentation, meaning that symptoms are reduced at night but begin to develop earlier in the day than usual. Dopamine agonists such as pergolide mesylate, pramipexole, and ropinirole hydrochloride may be effective in some patients and are less likely to cause augmentation. \n\nIn 2005, ropinirole became the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically for the treatment of moderate to severe RLS. The drug was first approved in 1997 for patients with Parkinson’s disease. \n\nBenzodiazepines (such as clonazepam and diazepam) may be prescribed for patients who have mild or intermittent symptoms. These drugs help patients obtain a more restful sleep but they do not fully alleviate RLS symptoms and can cause daytime sleepiness. Because these depressants also may induce or aggravate sleep apnea in some cases, they should not be used in people with this condition. \n\nFor more severe symptoms, opioids such as codeine, propoxyphene, or oxycodone may be prescribed for their ability to induce relaxation and diminish pain. Side effects include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and the risk of addiction. \n\nAnticonvulsants such as carbamazepine and gabapentin are also useful for some patients, as they decrease the sensory disturbances (creeping and crawling sensations). Dizziness, fatigue, and sleepiness are among the possible side effects. \n\nUnfortunately, no one drug is effective for everyone with RLS. What may be helpful to one individual may actually worsen symptoms for another. In addition, medications taken regularly may lose their effect, making it necessary to change medications periodically.
970415
A good family friend of our also has systemic lupus.  She has not really found a way to "combat" the fatigue that she experienced.  She tries to make sure that she does not "over do it" and that she makes sure that she gives herself plenty of time to rest.  She finds that she does feel better after mild/moderate exercise...but she has learned what her limits are and that when she needs to rest, she knows that she has to.  \nYou might want to try something along the lines of Yoga.  It might help your endurance a bit and it will help relax you.  You should check out your local YMCA or YWCA and see what they offer.  I think that you could benefit from any type of mild exercise.  My friend sure does!
758455
I have been taking Sinement for 5 years for restless leg syndrome, its the same med as Ropinirole, but was okayed for treatment of Parkinson's, that is why they now use the name of Ropinirole for the use of RLS. I'm not sure about the deficiency of dopamine relationship to RLS ( i my self am not depressed, and do not have the other symptoms related to deficiency in dopamine, However, I do suffer migraines and I understand that lack of magnesium may be responsible for RLS and migraines. I only started taking 500mg of magnesium to see if the severity RLS and migraines lessen......i will give it a month. I would not worry over much about the lack of dopamine, wait for results and talk with your doctor. good luck
583770
There is no magic cure. a Healthy diet and... EXERCISE!!!!
677627
To the best of my knowledge, there are no vitamins used to treat muscle spasms.  Calcium/magnesium combinations are often recommended to those who experience muscle spasms in their legs when they try to lay down to go to sleep, but that's the only instance I have ever heard of a vitamin or mineral combination being used to help that problem.\n\nYour best bet is really to have him return to the doctor so they can figure out why his muscles are spasming so badly and the medications given to him are ineffective.
382733
I have the same problem.  Doctor says it is caused by a lack of potassium, calcium, and not enough hydration.  I started eating a banana just before bedtime, and I make myself drink more water and Gatorade throughout the day, and I am not having those twitchy leg problems at night anymore.
593396
I'm sorry to say, no there is no cure for it.  There is a lot of research, but no cure yet.  They are coming out with medications that can help.
956901
Its really awful, people who dont have it, have no idea! The best help I have found, is 1 taking a hot shower or bath, right befor bed. While in the shower or bath, do some leg bends, briskley rub your legs, as hard as u can massage in the back calf area, rub the vein area behind both knees, when done rub your legs down with a peppermint lotion or creme, the peppermint feels very soothing, also the rubbing and massage u did will promote much better circulation. Also if u dont mind the taste u can add ice and lemon to help, tonic water is very good, has quinine in it, I had been given quinine pills by my dr. but even she suggested I use them as least as possible, they are not all that good for people, have been responsible for even some deaths, I will no longer ever use them, but the above has all been a big help for me, I can lay down without feeling I must move my legs all night! I hope this is help for u also, and happy holidays too!!!
1168180
Keep your legs in the air at night.  Exercise your legs, like imaginary bicycle while lying in bed.  Keep salt to an absolute minimum and stay super active.  You will get better!
89168
I had the same problem during cold nights , i use to immerse my legs in hot water ..they wud decrease then . later a doctor advised to have  calcium tablets and drink a glass of milk everyday .now the problem is gone . see if this helps u too.
233955
my health to get better (i have chronic regional pain syndrome in my leg also known has RSD or CRPS)
201827
NONE! but Flax seed oil taken internally and a good blood tonic will help. a good blood tonic is:Burdock root and Yellow Dock root decoction works as a blood tonic
991900
I'd rather look for a treatment against the cause...\n\nGo for a manual one-time treatment called Atlasprofilax. The effect on the self-healing power of the body is simply amazing - own experience. :-)\n\nJust - the treatment is available in California and Europe only, costing approx. 220 dollars. It's really worth travelling far.
338758
Sounds a bit like restless leg syndrome\nsee a doctor.. it could be something serious. and you not going could really mess you up.
724659
YES!!!  I have found the best thing, and it's not a drug or a supplement.  Get some of those  knee-length sock-thingies.  Darn, I can't remember what they're called, but they give your legs a nice squeeze and you can buy them at pharmacies, and the health and beauty areas of department stores.  They're for circulation.  Pull them on when your legs feel restless and leave them on overnight.  They quiet my legs right down!
657795
Resting awhile is the best cure. Other than that, I would suggest eating bananas due to their potassium levels. (I'm not sure if this will actually help, but it helps with charlie horses so it's worth a try.)
848419
Talk to your doctor about RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome). I have it, and it's a disorder that makes me move my legs all night long... it's like a weird twitching feeling and I feel like I HAVE to keep moving my legs. I do it in my sleep so sometimes I don't even notice it, and sometimes I have to keep my legs moving to get to sleep. Anyway, often times I feel like I ran a marathon the next morning. Try asking your doc for a prescription. Hope I helped.