Restless Leg Syndrome is a valid and recognized medical condition. Although 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. For 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. Physicians 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. (http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/pubs/restless_legs.htm)

Agree with the other answer that making lifestyle changes is very helpful. Just an addition, I have had good results with a homeopathic remedy called Zincum Metallicum and a brisk walk before bed. This might not work for everybody and before taking anything you should consult your physician. Hope this helps.

I have been told that putting 4 to 5 bars of soap (any soap) in your bed will completly relieve the symptoms of restless legs. The soap is to stay there for as long as you need to keep the problem at bay. I dont suffer with restless legs, so l havent tried it. But it works for her, so lm wishing you luck.

For me, vigorous excersize worked. I push iron around for an hour and exhaust my muscles. No more restless arms and legs for me.

Massaging the muscles to relax them will sometimes work. RLG is hard to diagnose and can be caused by many different reasons - stress, fatigue, iron deficiency, even genetics.

I find sleep is the only way to ease it.

The most important tool the doctor has in diagnosing RLS is the history obtained from the patient. Several common medical conditions are known to either cause or to be closely associated with RLS. The doctor may link the patient's symptoms to one of these conditions, which include anemia; diabetes; disease of the spinal nerve roots (lumbosacral radiculopathy); Parkinson's disease; late-stage pregnancy; kidney failure (uremia); and complications of stomach surgery. In order to identify or eliminate such a cause, blood tests may be performed to determine the presence of serum ferritin, folate, vitamin B12, creatinine, and thyroid-stimulating hormones. The physician may also ask if symptoms are present in any close family members, since it is common for RLS to run in families and this type is sometimes more difficult to treat. Treatment It is likely that the best alternative therapy will combine both conventional and alternative approaches. Levodopa may be combined with a therapy that relieves pain, relaxes muscles, or focuses in general on the nervous system and the brain. Any such combined therapy that allows a reduction in dosage of levodopa is advantageous, since this approach will reduce the likelihood of unacceptable levels of drug side effects. Of course, the physician who prescribes the medication should monitor any combined therapy. Acupuncture Patients who also suffer from rheumatoid arthritis may especially benefit from acupuncture to relieve RLS symptoms. Acupuncture is believed to be effective in arthritis treatment and may stimulate those parts of the brain that are involved in RLS. It is also thought to benefit RLS patients who do not have rheumatoid arthritis. Homeopathy Homeopaths believe that disorders of the nervous system are especially important because the brain controls so many other bodily functions. The remedy is tailored to the individual patient and is based on individual symptoms as well as the general symptoms of RLS. Reflexology Reflexologists claim that the brain, head, and spine all respond to indirect massage of specific parts of the feet. Nutritional supplements Supplementation of the diet with vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, and folic acid may be helpful for people with RLS. Allopathic treatment If causes related to diet, metabolic abnormalities, and medication have been excluded or treated, therapeutic medications may be helpful. Some medications, including those mentioned above, may cause symptoms of RLS. Patients should check with a health care provider about these possible side effects, especially if symptoms first occur after starting a new medication. In some people whose symptoms cannot be linked to a treatable associated condition, drug therapy may be necessary to provide relief and restore a normal sleep pattern. Prescription drugs that are normally used for RLS may include dopaminergic agents (such as levodopa and/or carbidopa, used to treat Parkinson's syndrome), dopamine agonists, opioids, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, iron (for anemic patients), and clonidine. Patient response is variable, so it is best to consult a health care provider to determine the best medication or combination regimen for the individual circumstances. Careful monitoring of side effects and good communication between patient and doctor can result in a flexible program of therapy that minimizes side effects and maximizes effectiveness. Source Citation: "Restless leg syndrome." Judith Turner. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine. 2nd Edition. Jacqueline L. Longe, Editor. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group, 2005.

http://www.rls.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=178&srcid=-2 My daughter in law suffers from RLS as does her sister and Dad. Hope this site can help

Thankfully I don't get it in the arm too often. I find that one to be worse then the leg. Excersize has only had marginal success for me. Though I encourage anyone who finds something that works for them to keep doing it! I take Mirapex which helps a lot. Lately bath oils seem to be soothing as well. My wife also massages the leg that has the main problem.

I just do. The pills work for a couple of weeks and then they keep me awake at night. Sometimes getting up and walking on a cold floor helps me.

I take iron pills and it seems to work fine.

Im glad i spotted this question Wanbli, ive been suffering from this on and off for about a year, but lately its getting more frequent.. have you found a way of dealing with it yet?? its driving me insane!

I have been there! I was given a drug through IV which caused this for about a week and I was miserable!! Thank God I don't have this ongoing but I was there for about a week. Try having someone ELSE massage your legs, not you. Also, try propping them up under pillows. If you can afford it, the temperpedic pillows are great for this. If you cannot afford it, try buying one large body pillow to use for both legs. Also, there is a product that my company sells. I can get it for you real cheap. It is NOT sticky or gooey and it actually WORKS for RLS because it is just about the ONLY thing that relieved this annoyance for that entire week. It is called Epoch Leg Invigorating Gel. Email me at JillianHanley @ comcast dot com and I would love to help you!!

Tell my husband to brace himself as I kick away

I find that it happens mostly when I am tired and if I've been sitting awhile (especially with my laptop on my lap). I get up and move around and that helps for awhile. I also take Requip. It does help.

SHAKE IT!

Hook it up to some sort of power generator?

I do isometric exercises by alternating pressing one leg against the other until the restlessness goes away.

It's a great way to mix drinks.

Smoke a bowl?

I think you mean restless legs ...

Some of these answers are unreal. For we, who really have rls know that you cannot sleep when you have it, so, how can sleep be an answer. I am going to my doc today to see about getting requip. Don't know how good it will work but anything is better than rls and ras

Chain your Jimmy leg to the bed

Well, I went to kroger just now and bought a bar of Ivory soap and stuck it in my bra strap. So far, nothing although it may work better under the sheets ;) I did notice ultram helps mine but my doc only gave me a few of those. Not near enough to work and it wears off. Mine gets worse right before my period and when I have ate foods that are high in fiber for some reason.

cut them off. .... ... .. .

A bar of white soap between the sheets is an old remedy in my area that seems to do wonders. :)

A cold cloth on the back of my legs.

I rub some of that blue gel muscle liniment (like IcyHot) on my lower back.

im 12 and i hate having RLS! its annoying! it takes away from your sleep! one time i couldnt even fall asleep because of it! i had to get up and it was like 3,4 in the morning and walk! i hate it! i need something to help it!