How to Deal With RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome)

If you are reading this late at night because you once again woke up to the feeling of running a marathon in your sleep, you probably already know you have restless legs syndrome. Periodic leg movement is another sleep disorder that is associated with restless legs syndrome and can be the first sign that you have it. Getting properly diagnosed is important if you have either periodic leg movement or restless legs syndrome so that you can deal with it with medication and lifestyle changes.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• warm milk
• banana
• turkey
• prescription
• beach towel
• exercise

1. If you have just woken up because your restless legs syndrome has caused another sleep disturbance, drink warm milk to help you get back to sleep. It can also help you fall asleep at the beginning of your bed time.

2. Certain food, such as bananas, have been reported to help with restless legs syndrome. This may be because restless legs syndrome can be associated with an iron deficiency in the body and bananas have a high iron content.

3. Prescription medication may be necessary to deal with restless legs syndrome. Some medications like Requip and Mirapex are made specifically for this disorder.
   
   Others like Klonapin, which is an anti anxiety drug, have also shown to ease RLS symptoms. Those who use Klonapin may have to periodically increase the dosage as it seems more and more is needed to lessen RLS.
   
   Requip can have nasty side effects in some people. It can cause chest pain and sweating. Go to the emergency room if you take Requip and experience these symptoms.

4. Stretch before bed. Lie down on your back and wrap a beach towel or sheet around the bottom of your foot. Pull your leg back towards your head and hold for about 10 to 15 seconds. Don't overstrain. Do other common leg exercises that you would do before or after a work out.

5. Exercise. Restless legs syndrome is worsened by stress and inactivity. Exercising can help you cope better with stress. Exercise can also have a direct effect on restless legs syndrome by reducing the urge to move your legs constantly. Exercise can help at the onset of symptomes. Many people report that walking around or doing some other exercise for a few minutes eases the symptomes and they can return to bed.

6. Lose weight. Weight loss can ease restless legs syndrome. Speak with your doctor if you think your weight is causing or aggrevating your condiiton.

7. Some SSRIs can cause restless legs syndrome. If your symptoms began after you started taking an antidepressant, talk with your doctor about changing medications or adding an additional medication for restless legs syndrome if you feel that going off the antidepressant would be detrimental.

8. Avoid caffiene, especially at night. Switch to diet soda or drink water or lemonade instead. Avoid iced tea, tea and coffee.

Tips & Warnings

• It's not in your head. Restless legs syndrome is a real condition that is treatable.
• If you suffer severe side effects from medication, contact your doctor right away or go to the emergency room.
• Lack of sleep can cause irritability, daytime tiredness, stress, and aggrevate depression.

Resources

• Restless Legs Syndrome - WebMD
• Restless Legs Syndrome - Mayo Clinic
• Mayo Clinic Symptom Checker

[ljbinkop]

on 8/24/2009 Thank you for your excellent advice. Especially the banans! I did not know to try that. I only experience this once in a while, and it is more my hips than my legs, bt I will give the milk and bananas a try. 5* and a rec from me!

[woot]

on 6/4/2009 I don't wake up with restless legs as much as I have a terrible urge to squirm and shake my legs when I sit down or lie down, especially if I am trying to sleep. I have found that slowly patting the side of my thigh helps me keep my legs still.

[TeacherKelly]

on 12/7/2008 Well written article with some good links. However speaking as someone who has lived with RLS for about 20 years, I recommend changing the difficulty level rating on this article from moderate to CHALLENING! There are of course varying degrees of RLS, but for some people who have very severe RLS and are not just suffering from an iron deficiency, this can be extremely challenging to cope with! I hadn't heard that either weight or anti-depressants can cause RLS - I'll check this out, thanks for the info. Also I was told by a fellow sufferer of RLS that a low sodium diet (a really, really LOW sodium diet) can eliminate RLS. I haven't been able to stick to her recommended limit of 600MG sodium a day, but have found that avoiding salty foods does decrease my symptoms.

[haylazmatt]

on 9/19/2008 wonderful suggestions