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January 11th, 2011
11:30 AM ET
Get Some Sleep: Is restless legs syndrome real?One question that I am often asked is whether restless legs syndrome is a disorder made up by the pharmaceutical companies. I can see why people might think that; few people, including doctors, had heard of it 20 years ago, but media reports and ads for medications have put the term into common use. But as someone who has treated hundreds of patients with this disorder, I can attest to its existence as well as its ability to seriously affect patients’ quality of life. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is not the same as foot tapping, nor is it the same as leg cramps. Patients complain of strange and disturbing feelings usually in their lower legs that usually happen only in the evening when they are sitting or lying down. They move their legs voluntarily in an attempt to find relief. Unfortunately, the minute they stop moving or rubbing their legs, the feeling returns, hence the repeated movement. In severe cases, the symptoms can begin earlier in the day and can involve the arms or other body parts. However, when people first develop this problem, it almost always starts in the evening and ends up preventing them from sleeping, which is why it's considered a sleep disorder. This is a clinical diagnosis, meaning that there is no test that uncovers it. Rather it is diagnosed based on the constellation of signs and symptoms that patients present. However, we often do an overnight sleep test because there is a disorder that can go along with RLS which is called Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD) and this entails rhythmic kicking while asleep. Sometimes people have PLMD without having RLS, and not all people with RLS will have significant limb movements during their sleep test. There are population studies that show varying prevalence rates of 5-15%, but only about 3% of adults and 0.5% of children have it often enough or severe enough to warrant treatment. There appears to be a genetic component because 40% adults and 70% of children who have primary RLS report that at least one first-degree relative also suffers with this condition. In most studies, it is approximately twice as common in women as compared to men. One study found that 27% of pregnant women complained of RLS symptoms. We do not understand what causes RLS but there seems to be a dysregulation of dopamine, a naturally occurring neurotransmitter. RLS is greatly increased in patients with Parkinson’s disease, which involves a depletion of dopamine. It should be noted that people with RLS do not have a depletion of dopamine, just a dysregulation, and there is no evidence that they are at increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Iron deficiency can also be involved because in order to synthesize dopamine it is necessary to have sufficient amounts of stored iron in the central nervous system. Therefore, we do see an increase in prevalence of RLS in people with anemia, end stage kidney disease and in pregnant women, all conditions that involve low levels of the storage form of iron, which is known as ferritin. There is a simple blood test that can be checked in people with RLS symptoms and if the level is below 50 ng/ml, then oral iron replacement is indicated. In fact, it is now recommended that all patients with RLS take extra iron each day. We also know that certain medications can cause or aggravate RLS, medications such as antidepressants, over-the-counter antihistamines and nausea medications such as metoclopramide. Substances such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol can also worsen the symptoms of RLS. If symptoms are very mild or infrequent, then people can try stretching exercises before the time that the symptoms typically start or they can try doing mentally stimulating tasks such as crossword puzzles, which can help distract them. However, if RLS symptoms occur more than twice a week, most patients want treatment. Besides adding more iron to the diet, there are several classes of prescription medications that can be used, the most common being dopamine agonists (i.e. synthetic dopamine replacement). It is important that physicians have experience treating RLS because older dopamine agonists such as carbidopa/levodopa must be used with caution as they can actually worsen the RLS symptoms. Lisa Shives, M.D., is the founder of Northshore Sleep Medicine in Evanston, Illinois. She’ll blog on Tuesdays on The Chart. Read more from her at Dr. Lisa Shives’ Sleep Better Blog. The information contained on this page does not and is not intended to convey medical advice. CNN is not responsible for any actions or inaction on your part based on the information that is presented here. Please consult a physician or medical professional for personal medical advice or treatment.
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. Recent Comments
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I don't agree. Read that: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2013/05/11/restless-legs-syndrome-how-to-stop-twitching-legs
Kandy
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Hi I had a question about restless leg. I just got a cast on my foot and I feel like I can't sleep I always what to move it and just bugs me so bad I can't sleep I need help because I'm gonna have at another 6 weeks
probably not going to get answers here. There are many RLS support groups on Facebook, some way better than others. Also, the RLS Foundation has a Facebook page, but you do not get many answers there, for sure. So, would suggest talking to your doctor about this. RLS is a neurological disease, so sometimes, if your doctor does not understand it, a neurologist is better for this. Check out Facebook for good support groups with lots of knowledge and people who have been managing support groups there and elsewhere for over 20 years, including myself.
I have RLS! I don't have it as bad as some people but let me tell you when it occurs...it is AWFUL. It is NOT a made up disease. I have had it since I was able to become aware that my legs needed to move. As a child I couldn't get up and walk cause if mom heard the floor squeak I was in trouble so I used to roll up on my shoulders and bicycle for however long it took to make those "gotta move feelings" go away! I am 60 years old now and still plagued with it. I used to take Mysoline (and epilepsy medication) for it and it worked great for over 20 years. However after having gastric bypass surgery in 2009 the RLS seemed to abate so I didn't need the medication anymore. Unfortunately it returned in 3 years! Having lost over 100 pounds when I took even a half of a mysoline...I slept for 24 hours and was groggy for over 72 hours! Thankfully...I also have arthritis (funny to say huh?) and take Tramadol for it. One night my knees and back and fingers and wrists were aching so badly and my RLS flared up so I took a Tramadol. Wow! Within 5 minutes the RLS disappeared! I was/am in heaven! Now I take 1 Tramadol and an iron tablet every night before I go to bed...and unless it's hot out or I did a lot of exercise that day...I don't get RLS at night!
Unfortunately there are still doctors, no matter how much awareness we raise, that STILL believe RLS is a disease "made up by the drug companies to sell drugs". That is so ridiculous, I still have no words after 20 years of fighting this ignorance. For one thing, the newer Parkinson's drugs, can be used to treat RLS, they were already in existence. MOST drugs, 90% of them, were never designed for RLS, but have been found to help multiple conditions. AS the good doctor explains, with RLS we have enough dopamine being produced in RLS, the transport system for us is messed up and the dopamine cannot cross the blood/brain barrier. In Parkinson's there is an actual lack of dopamine production. having said that, that is why the doses for RLS and Parkinson's are soooo different. Hope that cast is off your leg and you are doing better. IF not, there are many good support groups on Facebook if you need one.
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