Q:
Since I became pregnant, I've developed this strange urge to get up and move around when I try to sleep. Could it be RLS? Will it go away?
A:
It's very common for pregnant women to develop RLS and studies show it may be related to an iron deficiency that develops during pregnancy. You can talk to your doctor about taking iron supplements or B12 vitamins to curb your symptoms. In most cases, you can expect the RLS to disappear as you get closer to the time of delivery.
Q:
I fit all four criteria for RLS but my symptoms only come out a few times a month. Could it be RLS, and should I take drugs for it?
A:
It could certainly be RLS. There is no measure of frequency or intensity that qualifies RLS—all that matters is if you fit the four main criteria. If your symptoms are not affecting your ability to function during the day it's probably not worth getting on prescription medicine, and considering home treatment options instead. However, you can still discuss the pros and cons with your doctor.
Q:
If I can help it, I'd rather take vitamins than prescription drugs to treat my RLS. Is this a feasible option? How long should it take for the vitamins to start working?
A:
Of primary RLS patients, about 20% to 30% of them suffer because of an iron-related problem such as anemia. About 10% of those get relief simply by taking iron supplements. The amount of time it takes to see effects varies on an individual basis. For patients who don't respond fast enough, though, we can suggest as much as three doses of iron supplements a day as well as vitamin C pills, which will help with the iron absorption.
Q:
I've been getting great results by taking Requip. Is this drug safe to take for the rest of my life?
A:
Dopamine agonists have been on the market for about 15 years and were originally used as Parkinson's medication before they had FDA approval for RLS use. That said, it's been known to be safe for 15 years of consistent use and doctors see nothing that could contradict that.
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