Restless Leg Syndrome By Judy Shives, MSN, NP, COHN-S

What is RLS? Strong urge to move your legs Urge is hard to resist Uneasy feeling deep in legs Can’t explain what it feel like (burning, prickling, itching, tingling, maybe painful) Worse at rest, lying down or sitting still Fast relief with walking or moving legs Can’t go to sleep

Severe RLS May get less than 5 hours sleep Total sleep time is less that all other sleep disorders Very tired and less energy during the day May have depression or anxiety Muscles may tighten/flex when you still

Who gets RLS? More often in women Any age, early childhood to late adulthood Wrongly labeled “growing pains” in kids Associated with pregnancy, end stage renal disease, anemia, peripheral neuropathy Associated with medications like antidepressants, sedating antihistamines, anti-nausea medications

Who gets RLS? May be early onset, before age 45 Comes on slowly over time Typically become daily problem Late onset comes on more quickly and may be daily from the start 6 X greater if family history

How do I know I have it? Do you have an urge to move your legs? Is this urge when you are at rest? Does it go away with activity? Is it worse or occur in the evening or night If you answer yes to all of these questions you may have RLS

Could something else cause your symptoms? Another sleep disorder Medical condition Medication use Mental health disorder Substance abuse

What you can do! If mild, it may not bother you too much If more severe, you may need to see a sleep specialist Keep a diary for two weeks Rate your sleep using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale Give your doctor you complete health hx. Give past and present drug use & herbal Give a history of relatives who have had RLS

What will the doctor do? Not typically needed for RLS but they may do polysomnography It charts brain waves, heart beat, breathing pattern Records how your arms and legs move Records your sleep on vidoe Shows clear details of how your legs move during the night May do blood test, including iron

How is RLS treated? A regular exercise program like walking, riding exercise bike, soaking in hot tub, or massing the legs Decrease caffeine, alcohol, smoking Keep mentally active when sitting down Medications that replace dopamine in the brain. Sometimes they order sleeping tablets, anti- seizure medications, and narcotic pain killers Iron treatment if you are deficient – but not unless prescribed by your Dr. as too much can damage the liver.