Thanks krissie! I will some evening NOT take the L-dopa/carbidodopa & later put a bar of soap in bed near the feet. Problem is, the restless legs begin in the evening while I am still awake so would have to put up with the awful symptoms until I went to bed & tried the bar of soap! Will try it though as the old Rx for L-dopa is not being used much anymore for Parkinson's so not then for RLS either. New drugs out now for RLS & I have been on several of the new drug trials ... but I didn't like the side effects of any of them (none with the L-dopa). This odd ( inherited too as it was with me) condition can drive one crazy with 'jumpy' legs!

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/restless_legs/detail_restless_legs.htm#3237_5 Common drugs prescribed to treat RLS include: Dopaminergic agents (drugs that increase dopamine), largely used to treat Parkinson's disease, have been shown to reduce symptoms of RLS and PLMS when they are taken at bedtime and are considered the initial treatment of choice. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved ropinirole, pramipexole, and rotigotine to treat moderate to severe RLS. Both drugs are generally well tolerated but can cause nausea, dizziness, or other side effects. Good short-term results of treatment with levodopa plus carbidopa have been reported. Although dopamine-related medications are effective in managing RLS, long-term use can lead to worsening of the symptoms in many individuals. This apparent progressive worsening is referred to as “augmentation.” With chronic use, a person may begin to experience symptoms earlier in the evening than in the afternoon until finally the symptoms are present around the clock. The initial evening or bedtime dose becomes less effective, the symptoms at night become more intense, and symptoms begin to affect the arms or trunk. Fortunately, this apparent progression is reversible by removing the person from all dopamine-related medications. Another important adverse effect of dopamine medications that occurs in some people is the development of impulsive or obsessive behaviors such as obsessive gambling or shopping. Should they occur, these behaviors can be reversed by stopping the medication. The FDA has approved gabapentin enacarbil, which metabolizes in the body to become gabapentin, for the treatment of moderate to severe RLS.

I have taken the drug L-dopa for RLS (restless legs) for many,many years. I recently tried a newer drug for RLS : Ropinirole for RLS. I have felt very lethargic, weak now for several days/week & wondering if it could be the Ropinirole...? I may ask my Dr. to stop it & go back on the L-dopa to see if there is a change for the better? Has anyone tried Ropirinole for RLS or any other drug for the condition with good results? Appreciate any input! -vieja

Spouse has had it for >20 years. He complains a lot about it. He was in a band for years. Likely where he picked it up. He enjoys an air filter running at night to give his ears something else to focus on. He finds that helpful. Silence is hard for him as he notices the ringing in his ears too much. I have it as well. I was not in a band. Just the way life worked out. I find that when my thryoid levels are moving around; up or down, the tinnitis intensifies to where it gets very bothersome even with ongoing normal life noise happening. It becomes like the roar of a jet engine instead of just bothersome. It's my tip off that I need to have labs done to see which way to adjust medication. Weird, huh? Just mentioning because we don't realize how 'this' affects 'that' some times.