To me, the best place for info is the RLS Foundation. Someone mentioned Nightwalker's Newsletter - it's from the Foundation. They also have a message board that is extremely helpful. RLS is hereditary in at least 50% of cases. My whole family - ever person in 3 generations on my mom's side - has it. Weird. It's also really mild in most cases, so drugs aren't needed. I used to be able to walk it off. It also tends to worsen over time, but not for everyone. When it affects your quality of life, many people find they cannot manage anymore without drugs, even if they did before. To me, the best thing you can do is find out about it so you know how to approach it. Here are some facts: 1. As stated above, iron is implicated. But, taking iron doesn't always help and you can have enough iron in your body and still have RLS. ALWAYS get your ferritin level checked - should be at least 50 and preferably over 100 - by your doctor. If it's below that, start taking iron (65 elemental mg per day up to 3 x per day) and get your ferritin checked every 3-4 months until it's high enough. Too much iron CAN harm you, so never take a high dose of iron without this test. 2. RLS is highly treatable with placebo. That means soap, quinine, magnesium, and many other things will often work for someone. But, in research, they do not work consistently or for many people. If something works for you - excellent! Don't assume it will work for others, though. Also, don't assume anything will work for years. Often we find one thing works for awhile, only to stop. 3. There are many genes implicated in RLS. This may mean that there are actually different variants that respond to different treatments. As with above, if something works for you, excellent. Just don't assume it will work for everyone else. 4. There are some excellent books on RLS. These help dispel myths and teach what works, how to approach your doctor, how to cope with RLS, and more. 5. There is a lot of incorrect information about RLS floating about the internet! Of course, some things are subjective (see above), but some things are not. For example, most people believe that antidepressants will always worsen RLS. The research shows that to be incorrect. Some of them do, but the percentages are low. 6. People with chronic RLS have a similar quality of life to other people with chronic diseases such as diabetes. 7. People with RLS are more likely to have anxiety disorders and depression. They are also more likely to have PLMs - periodic limb movements. These can be while sleeping (PLMS) or while waking (PLMW) or both. 8. RLS can occur in any part of the body. It almost always starts with the legs, but can progress after that. My brother gets it in his arms more than his legs. 9. RLS can occur at any time of day, however it's always worst in the evening. Researchers believe it may be connected to our body's clock. If you move your bedtime later, for example, eventually the RLS will start happening later. That's all I can think off offhand. Consider the RLS Foundation for more info - see link below. Here is a link that might be useful: RLS Foundation

ItâÂÂs totally a pain, isnâÂÂt it? IâÂÂve started using Restulex �" itâÂÂs a natural product with no side effects (biggest selling point for me, right there �" drugs with side effects suck). If you wanna check it out, theyâÂÂre actually offering a free bottle right now if you participate in their study. You just gotta call. But no matter what you use, IâÂÂd go the natural route. A lot of RLS is caused by mineral/vitamin deficiencies anyway, and the natural stuff puts those back in your system instead of just burying the problem like a drug.

Hi Noopy9 from down under! I am a new member just today. I'm sorry to hear you are not feeling great! Were you prescribed Iron supplements for your low ferritin level to build your blood up. My birthday is Oct 18 also! I had a complete hysterectomy and breast removed in the same year. That was 4 years ago. I have restless leg also and anemia. When I feel that ickky feeling, I know I need Iron. I don't understand what that bar of soap is suppose to do? Just curious. I was searching for alternatives for Hot flashes and I ran into to you. You are not alone. I really do hope we can find some relief (smile Libra) Peace Sylvia

I'm glad my question has helped others, too! DH's MD has agreed to do the additional blood tests at DH's next physical. The leg-kicking symptoms have abated as DH went back on a minimal dose of Abilify. This is the third time he's developed the leg movement at night three weeks after stopping Abilify. His MD would like to get him off the Abilify, mostly because it is a drug with a short track record, but so far...stopping it only causes problems. Eighteen months ago DH had what we came to find out was a serious panic attack. After some experimentation with other drugs, he was put on Cymbalta. That helped with the mood disorder, but not as much as Cymbalta (40 mg) plus Abilify (1 mg). Either the Abilify also helps with the leg problem or stopping it *creates* the leg problem! Who knows? DH had the leg problem several years ago when he was taking statins for cholesterol. Since he was only borderline-high cholesterol, his MD agreed to stop the statins. The leg problem ceased...until returning last year after the panic attack and drugs for that. I'd LOVE to find that all or some of this could be traced back to a simple vitamin or mineral deficiency. It's been a roller-coaster ride! Thanks for listening...and for your good suggestions.