The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Kathy Hull Sykesville, Maryland 21874 — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:45:35 GMT

I have been taking the Drug Requip and have no problems, i am just thankful that they have found something formy problem, if it wasn't for the Requip i would not get any sleep at all.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Silvereve, Fairfax, VA — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 13:46:01 GMT

Finally the side effects are explained! I will admit that of all the side effects that we are bombarded with each new miracle drug commercial, the RLS one's are the most fantastic.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

WSS, Dallas, TX — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 14:26:54 GMT

I have been taking Requup for several years now. I have had my dosage increased by my doctor several times. I am now on the highest dose. I have had none of the "side affects" reported. In the process I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea. The combination of Requip and my CPAP has greatly reduced my nightime "kicking my husband". Requip and CPAP have helped save my marrige.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

TC, billings,Mt — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:54:12 GMT

I take Carbidopa10/Levodopa 100MG once/day and have no side effects. Occasionally need 2/day, but still have no side effects. Certainly puts the twitchy legs to rest!

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Sue, Port Huron, Michigan — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:54:33 GMT

I work for a physician and he says tonic water works better than any of those prescription medications. It has quinine which is the key ingredient in some of the prescription drugs PLUS it is a lot cheaper!

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

neal, San Diego — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:08:34 GMT

My wife has RLS and she has found that calcium supplements have reduced the symptoms at night, making it far more restful for both of us.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Tina Abbott — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:08:59 GMT

I have been taking Mirapex for 2 years now. I have had no side effects and finally feel like a human being. I would pace the floor at night because my legs were going bananas, and I had to walk because nothing would help, I tried everything!!!! But Thanks to my Doctor and Mirapex, I can finally sleep and feel rested and Happy!!!!

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Linda, Wantage Twp, NJ — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:25:45 GMT

I am happy to hear I am not the only one with weird things going on. My mom and 4 bros & sis's have RLS. I am the only one on the meds Requip and I have impulsive shopping habits and will spend hours on the computer playing Freecell at night. I think it's time to go back to the doc again and see if my meds need changing after reading this!!!

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Wendy - Tulsa Oklahoma — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:57:51 GMT

I have a degenerative disc disease, RLS and Chronic Pain Syndrome. I see a pain management specialist and have been taking the highest dose of Requip for about a year now. The only obsessive side effect I've had is compulsive door locking and/or worrying that someone was going to break into my home. It was pretty intense for a couple of months. I would leave the house, then get extremeley anxious that I left a door or gate open and I would drive back home, check all the locks, then leave again. I still have to physically touch the locks at night before I go to bed, I can see they are locked, but I have to go through the motion of actually locking them. I've found that if I take Requip at the same time each night on an empty stomach that I get better results.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Zelda, Montgomery, AL — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:20:41 GMT

I've been on requip for about two years and well the only thing I've seen increase is my waistline and I did a splurge remodel on my kitchen.

HELP before I'm too fat to move my legs.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

David, Salt Lake City, Utah — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 20:11:56 GMT

Taking L-Tyrosine might help since RLS is related to dopamine uptake deficiency. It is used by the body to create dopamine and has shown marginal improvements in Parkinson's patients when used in a clinical study. The level used was 9g/day. You can get a 1000g jug for about $40 and mix it into a milkshake, protein shake, or other beverage. Using it might allow someone to use a lower dose of the drug so that the side effects are minimized.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

penny.isbell@gmail.com — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:31:21 GMT

This 'shaking leg syndrome' is easily cured by taking magnesium. It also works quickly; the restlessness in my legs stops in 1 - 2 hours after taking a magnesium or calcium/magnesium combo.

although it might not be as fun as this crazy pharmaceutical!

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

DaughterofRLSsufferer, Canada — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 22:47:35 GMT

Sorry, tried the tonic water thing with my mother who had bad restless legs and it didn't do a thing. Maybe with some gin? lol

Best thing for her was ativan.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Carol, Cochran, GA — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 04:15:10 GMT

I also take requip and have problems with playing online games for hours and hours. I'll continue to take this medication because of the relief it has given me. I took quinine for years,and although it helped, quinine also causes deafness. I now have moderate hearing loss because of it, so be very careful with this medication.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

gardener granny, Tulsa, Ok — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 10:16:01 GMT

I can tell you its not funny at all. My sister has RSL and is on Requip. She has started gambling and can't start. I'm the one who told her about the side effects. She's been to her doctor, a psychologist, a pain specialist, you name it she's been there. She can't get off the requip due to the RSL and because she takes it she 's at the casino spending money. They are now wanting to implant a pain pump as an experiment to see if it relives the RLS symptoms, which is costly and her insurance won't pay for. In the meantime she is miserable. I have the disease but not as bad, yet and I'm worried I'll be in the same shape she is in in the next couple of years.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

connie cummings west virigina — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 11:05:43 GMT

Requip,made me very sick naseua,diareha,dizzy.I will never take again. I'd rather have the pain and twitches.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

K, Pittsburgh — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:08:28 GMT

I read once that eating white potatos triggers RLS in those of us who have it--something to do with the potato's kinship to Deadly Nightshade. My family went on a low-carb diet several years ago and stopped eating white potatoes, white rice, etc. Every once in a while, of course, I still indulge, and I can attest to having MUCH worse RLS when I've eaten potatoes, especially if I eat them more than once over a period of a few days.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Karen in Ohio — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:09:04 GMT

I had RLS for a couple of years, then asked a doctor about it. She prescribed a combination of calcium, magnesium (both are mild muscle relaxants) and Vitamin D, which I take together every night. The very first night I took this the RLS stopped. You need calcium, anyway, and the Vitamin D helps to absorb it better. There's no way I would take Requip, or any other OTC drug for something so easily remedied with vitamins

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

JW — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:04:57 GMT

I had RLS to some degree for 20 years. What helped for me is folic acid and magnesium supplements - and cutting back on pop. Now my wife reports my legs don't twitch at all. Providing your body what it lacks is much safer (and cheaper) than dumping nasty pharamceuticals into it.

What do you think the chances are they'll post my message?

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Mary Quintus, New Salem, ND — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:12:00 GMT

I have had RLS for as long as I can remember (way before it became a popular diagnosis) and that is a mighty long time. And how have I dealt with the problem? I have found that getting my legs and feet chilled before going to bed is the most effective method for me. As for those medications, I wouldn't touch them with a hundred foot pole.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Deb C, Oshkosh, WI — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 15:25:24 GMT

I've been taking carbiadopa for several years now w/o any side effects. I tried the Mirapex but couldn't stop vomiting. I sleep at night w/o problems and my legs don't keep me up all night anymore. Sometimes I do need to take a 2nd tablet and there are a few instances of feeling the legs go banana's during the day. I've had this my entire life and found out most of the women in my family have it as well. I don't have any desire to go gambling, shopping or have wanton sex.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Mara St. James, Santa Ynez, CA — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:09:30 GMT

I took Requip for nearly 2 years for RLS and developed severe burning lower back pain which made sitting difficult. After numerous MRIs, CAT scans, and x-rays which all came up negative, I quit taking Requip and within a few days the burning stop. I don't know if I will ever be free of nerve pain after having taken this drug for 2 years.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

RandomStain — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:30:06 GMT

I had to stop taking Mirapex because it made my dog eat too much.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Karen, Basalt, CO — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:17:47 GMT

I have RLS and have been taking Klonopin for about 15 years with no side effects. It's very inexpensive and works great.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Bob, Philadelphia, PA — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 04:12:25 GMT

Oh, please. RLS is not an epidemic and much of the $500 million is a fraud resulting from drug companies' excessive advertising that dupes people into believing that they have a "real" disease. Doctors will prescribe the drug just to get these hypochondriacs out of their offices.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Robert, Minneapolis, MN — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 06:07:58 GMT

I actually work with someone who had quite the opposite effect - she used to rely on heavy alcohol on nearly a nightly basis to help her get over RLS and get some sleep (knowing full well that this was self-defeating, but unable to come up with other strategies), but once she started ropinerol she's much more rested and drinks only occasionally socially.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Grinning Granny, Tulsa, Ok — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 06:40:23 GMT

RLS is nothing to be sneezed at. My sister has a terrible case of it and is on Requip at high doses. It has caused her to start gambling. She never gambled before. She can't get off the medicine due to the RLS. She has been on all of the meds for RLS and finally had to be put on the Requip. She has been to several doctors and is currently seeing a psychiatrist and a pain specialist. None of these physicians know enough about RLS to be able to effectively treat her. They are now wanting to surgically implant a pain pump inside her to see if it will stop the RLS.

This is a horrible disease to have and it appears to me to run in families. Besides my sister having it, I have it and both of my daughters have it. Fortuantely for the time being none of us have it nearly as bad as my sister does. This disease is not one of the "orphan" diseases but there is not nearly enough scientific study being done on it. I can only hope that they come up with something to help with this disease soon.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

artistkvip tallahasse fl — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 08:14:13 GMT

if dopamine is too blunt of an instrament then it would seem that the logical thing to do would be to study how dopamine is actually used at the cellular level and what chemical reactions and products produced depending upon the actual envirnment of the body happens when dopamine is either broken down chemically or perhaps the other neurotransmitters present are the fine tuners and seeing the effects of histamine and inflamation. in my studies it seems that it is the unwanted by products produced in the process due to chemical circumstance present that cause the damage or health problems. another factor that is completely overlooked is the fact that ultraviolet light destroys some bacteria and viruses when you take this fact in conjunction with the use of adp in all living things whether plant or animal one would have to wonder if the phosphorous atom is producing some sort of light waveleanth that keeps the body healthy. it would seem you should investigate if maybe disiese could be fought by simply introducing light of the right wavelenth to the part of the body that was sick using fiber optic tubes. there seem to be many many paths that the brite scientist havent even though of investigating

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Bob, Newton, Kansas — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 11:46:34 GMT

I have been taking quinine for RLS for over 12 years about twice a week with no ill effects. My doctor always checks for any liver damage and other side effects. But the FDA is "cracking down" on this medicine. Can the side effects of quinine be that much worse than these new, exotic and expensive drugs?

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Margaret Donossian, Los Angeles, CA — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:20:32 GMT

I have been taking Sinemet for several years and now switched to Requip for RLS. The drugs help but make me feel drowsy and have a general feeling of malaise and fatigue. However, if I did not take these drugs I would be dead by now. Until I took these drugs, I could only sleep for about 15 minutes until the creepies set in and I stayed awake all night. Now I can at least sleep although I feel lousy. There are no increased sex and gambling habits with me. I am just happy to be able get out of bed and function somewhat normally. I am going overseas this summer. Does anyone know how one fares with RLS on a long flight if I take Requip?

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Julie Mayfield, Atl GA — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 20:29:40 GMT

I take Mirapex and it has stilled my legs. The problem is that my husband finds me on top of him seveeral times a night looking for satisfaction. He needs his sleep !

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Ann, Visalia, CA — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:10:06 GMT

I found this quite wacky solution online for my husband's RLS....it makes no sense, but it worked, so here you go.....I cut up a bar of Ivory Soap and put the slivers under the sheets where his legs rest....also, to jump start it, I had him wear tube socks with soap inside.....he had immediate improvement and after a couple of weeks, the symptoms were gone....go figure!

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Jenni, Pennsylvania — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:41:08 GMT

I have been taking Requip for about a year and it has been a God send. For years I had RLS and didn't know it. When my prayers were answered and 2 little ones were sleeping through the night, I all of a sudden got RLS. I also had terrible growing pains in my legs as a child. I was tall and grew fast at times. My doctor said chilhood growing pains are common in adult RLS patients.

I take the smallest dose, 1mg. because the normal 2mg. dose makes me nausous. If I take it about 2 hours before bedtime it works the best. On occasion my legs are crazy and I need to take another 1mg. pill. These can not be halfed because of the shape, and they need to absorb in the intestines not the stomach. For me there has been no side effects at all. If anything I shop less. I am less obsessive/compulsive about life and things than ever before. I don't even buy lottery tickets. Maybe getting better sleep is helping to mellow me out.

The Requip starter sample pack slowly increases the dose. By the third night what a difference, finally you relax and sleep through the night! Wow, it was shocking how quickly these pills worked! I was only sorry I did not go to the doctor sooner. Don't let the dumb ads warning of crazy side effects worry you too much. The pharma. companies need to do that to cover their own butts. Good night!!!

Don't let the crazy ads and side effects worry you. A low dose may be all that is needed to get a good nights sleep.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Stephen Dennehy,Newport beach, CA — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:39:07 GMT

Tried all of those mirapex and requip and did get some results but they made me sick nausea so I had to quit them. The only thing that has been working for me is Vicodin and you can imagines the problems that brings so compared to the problem I have with taking these an increased sex drive seems like a small price to pay.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Jan, Nicholasville KY — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:40:49 GMT

I took Requip for about 2 years with limited results. The first year it worked fine but over time it started to lose effectiveness. The Dr increased my dose and I threw up for 18 nights so I had to go back to my original dose which was no longer working. My Dr then prescribed Neurontin for me and it is working great! I am actually sleeping again. My mom has RLS also and could not take Requip at all. Another side effect I had with Requip was the CRAZY and VIVID dreams.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Jan, Nicholasville KY — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:42:02 GMT

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Jimbo, Springfield, Kentucky — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:33:18 GMT

I have been on requip for about 6 months. It truly works. Is there a generic form out there or one soon to come? With my insurance I pay $30.00 per month out of pocket and it would be nice to save a little of that someday, even though it is probably worth it.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

John Doe, Seattle WA — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 19:01:42 GMT

My suggestion - Get off the couch or away from the computer and go for a walk. On those occasions when i have twitchy legs at night, all I have to do is look back on my day and realize, "Oh yeah, I didn't do squat today but sit at my computer." Those days when I walk the dog, or go to the gym - no twitchy legs. We're not built to be lazy, and I figure the twitchies are random electrical discharges from disuse, or the last hurrah of dying muscle fibers.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Scott Van, Fort Dodge, Iowa — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:12:47 GMT

I've been on requip for about two years. One low dose tablet ninety minutes before bedtime usually does the trick. No adverse side effects so far. My only worry is that over the next several years my dosage will have to be increased as I age. Kinda scary what I will be depended on ten to fifeteen years from now! But without it, I would be truely miserable at night!

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

DW, Tyler, Tx — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 20:34:35 GMT

My wife nearly went crazy from RLS. She tried all the folk remedies, vitamins, exercise - you name it. Her doctor started with various meds and various doses. Nothing worked. She is a very active Physical Therapist. Her physical and mental health were in serious decline due to lack of sleep. Finally, a new drug hit the market - Mirapex. Wow, results started to show after taking it for a couple of weeks. After 10 years her doc still has to increase the dosage every couple of years, but it saved her life. It travels in her family but only in the females above the age of 40 and never goes away!

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

No longer "Sleepless in Seattle", Seattle Wa — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:01:36 GMT

Look, if you are skeptical about the existence of RLS vote with your feet and get out of this discussion.
The fact is that RLS is real and can be extremely debilitating to those who have it. I'v had it since I was a young man and it was a nightmare until I found Mirapex. During that time I was working in the woods, sometimes as a choker-setter on a logging crew and sometimes as a surveyor walking an average of 10 miles a day so don't give me this story about "get off your ass" and it will fix it. Whatever you are experiencing isnt RLS or you'd know better. For a true case of RLS no amount of walking, pacing, excersize or anything else will help.
Similar to Sleep Apnea it can allow someone to have a complete night’s REM sleep without being able to drop into deep sleep because the involentary leg movement rouses the sleeper. Over a long period of REM only sleep, people cannot function properly if at all during the daytime.
Contribute or leave.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Restless, Medford, oregon — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 23:43:26 GMT

I've suffered with RLS most of my life (yes, Bob it's a real physical problem) and going into menopause certainly hasn't helped. No matter how much exercise I get, it's always been an issue (and I have two black belts in Martial Arts and used to train 4 nights a week). I've been finding relief for many years with supplements of calcium/magnesium/vitamin D. You can buy many combinations of calcium but that works best for me and I get the great big jars. I take 3 in the evening, an hour or two before bed, and usually have no problems. Another bit that helps is using a really good moisturizer (shea butter is best)on my legs. I have very dry skin which itches will aggravate the RLS. From all the comments it looks like each person must find what's right for themselves but I'd rather not take drugs if a few capsules of calcium and a bit of body lotion will do the job.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Dan, Powell Ohio — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:37:30 GMT

For those of you trying tonic water for Quinine, you should know that many tonic waters no longer contain it. Those that due often contain less than 20 milligrams of quinine per six fluid ounces.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

WSS — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:15:03 GMT

I have written before about the my exprience with requip and my CPAP and how wonderful they are. But I did not mention that I had sever leg cramps at night befor I started taking them. I was on several other meds at the time and one said not to take potassium supplements. This is what I had used for years for leg cramps and it worked wonderfully. I now have leg and ankel swelling to to deep vein thrombosis so my doctor put on hydrochlorade and furosime. My potassium level went haywire and he told me to start taking patassium supplements again, I am no longer on the med that said I could not take them. Leg cramps gone and I sleep wonderfully. No kicking and no cramps.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Just A Kicking, Oshkosh, WI — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:41:52 GMT

My exprience with RLS feels like a tickle building up in the legs (somewhat like a tickle building up in your chest before you cough) and then a sudden kick relieves it. It must have something to do with the reflex center in the brain. I'm adopted so I don't know how much it runs in my family but I do know that a 1/2 sister of mine was somewhat afflicted it. It seems like if it runs in families, it runs through the females...I could be wrong. One thing I notice that triggers it at night is if I go to bed cold, have just drunk a glass of water, or my legs itch. Another weird thing I notice is that it only affects one leg at a time. On nights that it is worse, one leg will be jerking, I'll get that one to stop by walking around and then the other will kick when I feel sleepy again...UGG! I don't plan on taking meds until I absolutely have to but the pointers I have read above on taking calcium and magnesium supplements seems the most reassuring. Thanks for that info.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Lynn Huddleson, Gouldsboro, PA — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:53:22 GMT

I've has RLS for many decades, long before there was any media hoopla, as did my Dad before me [back in the 1930's the doctors diagnosed him as having St. Vitus' Dance] so it's hardly a new 'fad' disease latched upon by hypochondriacs. Have tried every home remedy known[including a mattress pad with >100 magnets, which actually helped some], what works for me is 2 bananas & 2 glasses of milk a day, a pillow between my knees while sleeping, & cut out salt. On the rare occasions when I still get the RLS, an Advil or two stops it. It was, and is, always WORSE after a lot of exercise- in desperation & exhaustion I used to run up & down the stairs till I could do no more, or do jumping jacks until I could do no more, nothing helped until I started with the bananas, pillow, and most importantly-NO SALT. When I eat anything salty that night my legs twitch & jump like they're possessed. Hope some of you try these ideas and get relief, drugs are a last resort.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Pat Wiggins, Warner Robins GA — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 01:50:53 GMT

I had to have back surgery to remove two cysts off my spinal column (L3 and L4) which were pinching off my sciatic nerves to my legs which had me nearly crippled from being able to walk. After the surgery all was well for a while, until the pain began again. More tests showed arthritis built up on my L5 and S1 which began the pain all over again. My father had this same cystic and arthritic condition. Having had treatment for deadening the nerve on my left side, right at the spine, I now have RLS. I take requip but some nights the pill gives me a worse condition of symptoms than if I had not taken it so I think I will ask the doctor if I can cut back to one every other day. Now let the weather show rain or high barometric conditions and ewwwwwwwww weeeeeee....these legs will not rest nor does anything help the pain in my hips and back. I don't have a gambling problem because of the pills...and I can't say I have a sexual problem either! Maybe because I have been playing Bingo for over 17 years and sexual desires have diminished over the last 17 years..ha-ha!! Married 28 years, go figure?? Nah...just getting old. Hope you all find your own method of treatment that works best for you. Don't sit IDLE....it ages you! God Bless.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Michelle Rizzo, Newtown, PA — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:25:57 GMT

This writer is confusing pharmaceutical ads with automobile ads. They DO NOT state the side effects in "rapid fire" fashion. In fact, by law they must state potential side effects in the same volume, tone, and rhythm as they use to tout the drug's benefits. They cannot downplay potential side effects by rushing through them and in print, they cannot put them in smaller type. Pharma companies who violate this can be fined millions and they are very careful not to do so. Mapes needs to brush up on her knowledge before making such assertions.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Gerald Poels, Grand Island, Ne. — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:51:04 GMT

MY experience is that RLS could be caused by dehydration. try drinking a quart of water instead of taking medicine. try another quart if symptoms arent't better withing 30 minutes.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Emily, Olympia, WA — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:57:55 GMT

Don't go to pharmeceuticals first!!!

Yes, dopamine has to do with movement in the brain, but nerve-site receptors and the messages your brain receives have a lot to do with RLS.

My grandfather, mother and myself all suffered from RLS--sometimes better, sometimes worse--and we have discovered over the years that the majority of RLS occurances can be controlled with magnesium supplements.
Magnesium, L-arginine and a few other aminos are hugely important in proper nerve reaction in your musculoskeletal system. Talk to a naturopath (preferalby one with an M.D., too) about supplemental options. If you are indeed low in one or some of these minerals and amino acids, getting enough will not only help your RLS but all other aspects of your daily health, as well.

As a side note: chronically low magnesium is related to low calcium absorbtion, which leads to osteoporosis, premature aging and loss of height with age.

Get informed!!! Don't fork over all your money for SIDE EFFECTS when $45 a month in supplements will fix the problem.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Kitti Ritter — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 04:01:50 GMT

For a long time, I suffered with what Big Pharma now refers to as 'RLS' which escalated to severe cramps in my feet, legs and hands. Since I began taking calcium citrate, chelated magnesium citrate and a small amount of potassium (too much can be dangerous), my cramps and 'RLS' have completely disappeared. By the way, it is Big Pharma which creates the alphabet names of these so-called syndromes just to push their latest 'miracle' drug.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

WSS, Dallas, TX — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:02:26 GMT

Thank you for all your input. I had for years thought that I was "unique" because I had these problems. As I have said before, the combination of Requip, CPAPP, and potassium, have had tremendous results. Someone in another response mentioned bananas as a form of relief. They are high in potassium, as are berries and other fruits. Yes you have to monitor your potassium levels, but it does SO MUCH for the cramping it is worthwhile IMHO.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Roxanne, Tucson, AZ — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:27:00 GMT

To Linda,WantageTWP, NJ. You have written my life. My Dr. had me on lots of Effexxor and Lyrica. They are in the same drug family. I benge at second hand stores as well as expensive boutiques. Then I come home to freecell for hours a day. I have quit these drugs because I saw myself out of control. The Dr. just smiled and shook his head when I told him of the behavior. They know and don't care.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Joann Mc Dermott OAKLAND MD. — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:01:42 GMT

Hi I have RLS and have had it for yrs. I take requip twice a day and let me tell you I couldnt make it though the day or night without it. I find if you are sitting and put just a little bit of pressure on the back of your legs they will start acting up. Let me tell you about traving that is the worst thing in the world if you dont take your meds to help with the RLS. I have been so bad with my legs that I told my husband if I had a saw I would cut them off. They get so bad sometimes that I could just scream and cry. I hope my requip not stops working for me as I dont know what I would do. If you like to talk about this here is my name, Joann Mc Dermott

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

shannon, Ohio — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:17:28 GMT

There is nothing wrong with any of you....If you want it ALL to go away, you must read: The Divided Mind: The Epidemic of Mindbody Disorders, it will save your life! I had "RLS", TMJ, IBS and a whole bunch of other problems. Guess what, NOW I DON'T! No drugs, no physical therapy. Trust me Read the Book!

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Califa, Florida — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 18:05:21 GMT

I suffer from severe RLS and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder for over 50 years, I have been treated with every drug you can imagine. Recently my new Neuroligist prescribed Lyrica which is commonly used to treat Fribomyalsia. I for one have never slept more than 2 hours on any given night started sleeping 4-6 hours of un interrupted sleep the first week and had even gotten up to 8 hours of sleep. Although there were trade offs such as visual changes and weight gain. I eventually rebounded because of where my RLS is will require some adjustments.

Lyrica will probably give many a great deal of relief on an individual basis.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

ben, ar — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:22:44 GMT

I lost a friend with this stuff. Known him for 30+ years. He never was a gambler, yet when the drug ruined him he lost everything. About 3 million! I tried bailing him out and almost lost 1/2 million trying! And the hookers. Went from a typical husband to hookers two or three time A DAY!

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

wanda schrader-fort wayne,indiana — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:51:38 GMT

I,too,have this condition and it is visiable when accessing it.It occures mostly at night and at times I have leg cramps with it.My remedy is homeopathic MAGNESIUM PHOSPHATE.My dosage is 3 pellets under my tongue and relief happens in minutes.Found in health food sstores.It works!!!

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

San, Atlanta, GA — Thu, 15 May 2008 02:12:50 GMT

I was having RLS when I found out I was severely anemic. I had an iron transfusion and the RLS immediately stopped. Prior to the transfusion walking did seem to help.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

S S, Phoenix, AZ — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:22:32 GMT

I did the sinemet thing for a while, but built up a tolerance and had to take a higher dosage AND more often to relieve my RLS. Also tried quinine pills, which gave me ringing in my ears. I've also tried Mirapex at it's lowest and highest dosage, and while it helped the RLS, it also kept me awake (although my legs felt fine!) The only thing I've found is an anti-convulsive called Tegretol. My neurologist says he's never heard of treating RLS with it, but it seems to be the only thing that works on me with no side effects -- been on it over a year, never needing an increased dosage -- I swear by it! Found this idea on www.rls.org

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

A. COLLINS — Thu, 15 May 2008 17:34:46 GMT

I HAVE BEEN TAKING REQUIP FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW AND LIVE IN A SEXLESS MARRIAGE. I REALLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING CRAZY WHEN MY SEXUAL DESIRE CAME BACK WITH A VENGENCE. IT'S BEEN 12 YEARS SINCE MY LAST SEXUAL ENCOUNTER AND LATELY I REALIZE HOW VERY MUCH I MISS IT. I WILL SAY I CANNOT IMAGINE GIVING UP THE REQUIP, I MAY BE HORNY BUT MY LEGS DON'T TWITCH ANYMORE.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Mary Barnich, St. Pete, FL — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:27:10 GMT

I've complained about the creepy feelings in my legs at night for years. It took the ads on TV to give it a name. The first night I took Requip I almost cried with relief. I haven't experience any of the side effects, but would like to check out cheaper avenues of relief. I agree that anyone who doesn't have the condition can't possibly understand it and how glorious the relief is.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

J Clark, Portland, OR — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:07:37 GMT

I have been using, for the past month, L-Tyrosine as suggested by David from Salt Lake... It has not only taken care of my RLS, but also the tremors I have had my entire life. I get no side effects as with the Requip.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Crystal, Galt, CA — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:46:36 GMT

You know what really irritates me? People that have no clue about what really goes on or what we feel!!! Just like depression...if you have never experienced it, you have no clue and no right to judge us or it! I'm almost thirty and have dealt with this for about twenty five years. My previous employers have threatened to chain me to my chair, my bed and couch are on strike, and the only thing that helps at night is the constant turning of my right foot. I have to rub the sheets with my foot, always in constant effort to find the cold spots, etc. Out of the blue, I stomp my feet or have to swing them around. I have not tried meds, but will look into a couple suggestions I read here. I'm glad I'm not the only one losing sleep over this.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Allison, Portland, Maine — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:51:27 GMT

I took this drug and fell asleep midsentence while talking to someone. I stopped taking it after that.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Elaine Hess, Perryville, MO — Tue, 27 May 2008 21:09:40 GMT

My mom and I have always told our doctors if you've never experienced RSL you can't imagine how awful and irritating and debilitating it is. It will make you crazy with jumping. My mom is doing well with a low dose even though she has had this condition for decades, but finds she needs it earlier and earlier during the day. I am on the highest dose right now already and not too happy about it. It is effective, but I worry about what I will do if I get acclimated to it. BTW, it doesn't matter what I take -- magnesium, calcium, bananas, milk, exercise, no exercise, I used to smoke and now I don't, nothing matters, I have severe RLS every day, starting around 3:00. I suffer no side effects except drowsiness, which is often a good thing.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Lorraine, Nebraska — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:25:38 GMT

I was taking Miraplex for awhile but ran out of free samples that the doctor gave me so fell back onto a 'natural' remedy that my sister was swearing by. Before going to bed try slathering your feet and ankles (even your legs if need be) with Vick's salve or the generic equivalent!!!!!! Throw some socks on and crawl into bed......it worked????? I never thought something that simple would help my RLS but it did. Give it a shot, what can it hurt????

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

Ronda Williams, Spokane, Wa — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 03:46:17 GMT

I am prescibed dopamine agonists for another health problem, Pituitary Adenomas. Requip is the 4th med in this family of drugs in 13 years. Permax was pulled off the market for heart valve damage risks, Mirapex caused me to uncontrolably fall asleep, a warning on the label. Another side effect is- as the rx wanes and time for another dosage, I get muscle spasms, more like PLMD, a relative to RLS. Periodic Limb Movement Disorder is not comfortable either. The alternative to the dopamine agonists for me is brain surgery or serious endocrine problems. I have found myself playing Solitare online for hours into the middle of the night and shopping but not buying, I prefer any of these side effects to the Pituitary Adenomas, and I will likely be on a drug in the class for the rest of my life.

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

DP, PHX, AZ — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:06:35 GMT

Gee, I have this, and my dad had it. Klonopin helps a bit, but I never thought it was hypochrondia, and I never bought into any ads on TV. Does the author take us all for a bunch of sheep?

The leg twitches are gone, but now I’m jonesing for the one-arm bandit

john doe — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:35:51 GMT

i took requip for several years and was up to 25 miligrams a day
kicked into sex overdrive and now ive lost everything my wife my kids and a financal catastrophe
watch out this drug can take over your life