Great basic info...but please consider changing the title as there isn't a cure. There's sometimes a remission and sometimes the symptoms are relieved, but few of us with RLS get cured. Even if it disappears for months, it usually comes back at some point. Anemia may be the only time - cure the anemia and you often cure the RLS.

I'd add a couple other options to help before trying drugs. As mentioned above, ferritin is very important, but anemia is, too. Forgo all alcohol - for many of us it really does worsen the RLS. Check your drug cabinet - many things worsen RLS without your knowing: cold preps with an antihistamine, antihistamines especially Benadryl(not so much the newer ones, but even those can be a problem), and many antidepressants. OTC sleep aids can also worsen RLS, depending on ingredients. This is a partial list; complete lists are available on some RLS websites.

Exercise is often overlooked. Most of us find we have an exercise sweet spot. Too much and the RLS is aggravated, too little and the RLS is aggravated. Type of exercise can impact, too.

Massage is excellent for many people - it doesn't help me, but sure does many people. Akin to massage is wearing compression stockings. Again, I can't stand it, but in a new study, 1 in 3 people has complete alleviation of RLS symptoms using a type of compression.

Heat and cold help some people too. Heating pads can help (please don't fall asleep with them on, though). Hot baths are used by many to alleviate symptoms.

Some people get results (though it's not the majority) from vitamins and supplements. Common ones to try and that may help include magnesium, calcium, B complex, and E. I find relief sometimes with L Tyrosine (a precursor to dopamine, which is implicated in RLS). Other people like some of the sleep herbs/supplements such as melatonin and valerian. Be careful with any of these as they are not regulated. Many people find no help at all from these, but some do, so it's worth a try.

Lasty, if you have to use drugs (and I do), please consider there are many other drugs than the three listed above. The decision regarding which to use is based on so many things including how often you have RLS, how severe the RLS is, whether you have PLMs, etc.

For example, I feel Klonopin should not be used daily until other options have been tried - it's not as effective as other drugs for RLS and if you are someone who becomes physically dependent (about 50% of people taking it will), stopping it can be a nightmare. But, it can work if you need it a couple times a week, though a shorter half-life option would still probably be better to avoid next day tiredness. Another great drug for occasional RLS is Sinemet, but it should never be used for daily RLS. It works fast, it helps almost all who use it, but it causes augmentation (makes the RLS worse) if it's taken daily.

Seems to me that the best place to start is by reading Clinical Management of Restless Legs Syndrome by Hening, Kushida, and Lee. They are three of the top RLS specialists and really cover the ins and outs of RLS medication. As I understand it Ambien may help you fall asleep, but doesn't stop the RLS for the vast majority. Then you and your doc can make the best choices based on your life, other conditions you have, other drugs you take, etc.

Lastly, a great resource is the RLS Foundation. From newsletters to a website to pamphlets to providing money for research, the RLS Foundation should be (at least to me) on anyone's list if RLS is a concern.

Incredible article, the only thing I'd add is the use of therapeutic massage on RLS. Amazing results.
Thank You
Mike
http://prescottlmt.com/Massage_For_Legs.html

I thought that this was a great article!

I want to share a bit of information:

There is currently an RLS clinical trial taking place in various cities throughout the US. If you are interested the link is: http://www.rlssleepstudy.info/

Thanks so much for your time and I hope this can help you!

Lindsey

I completely agree about using massage therapy as part of the treatment. It might be of some relief to those suffering from RLS to also try acupuncture as well.

"Another trial found that dermal needle therapy used in combination with medications and massage was more effective than medications and massage alone, in terms of remission of unpleasant sensations in the legs and reduction of RLS frequency."
-Acupuncture for restless legs syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8;(4):CD006457.

Best,
Mickey
Personal Health Zone

i don't know if there is a cure to RLS. maybe just relief. i am on meds (ambien), i run regularly, and take my supplements, C, calcium, folic acid, iron. but some days are worse than others. i find that yoga helps a lot, especially child's pose. sometimes, i sleep in this position. but my legs "die" and get pins and needles.