Q:
I saw an ad on TV and diagnosed myself with RLS. I called my doctor, who took my word for it and phoned in a prescription. Shouldn't he have done some tests first or at least asked some questions?
A:
It's usually not a good idea to diagnose a person over the phone, especially when it comes to RLS. It's such a clinical diagnosis; you'd want your doctor to know the nuances of your symptoms. A physical exam would also help him rule out other conditions such as neuropathy or spinal problems. I wouldn't recommend taking the meds until you've been examined in person.
Q:
If I nap during the day to make up for lost sleep the night before, will I have even worse RLS symptoms that night in bed?
A:
The circadian pattern of RLS has nothing to do to with the time you went to bed or when you got your hours of sleep. It is, however, dependent on total number of hours. Once you start to accumulate sleep deprivation, it's possible that your RLS symptoms will act up. So if you nap during the day, just be sure you'll be able to fall asleep that night. If not, those lost hours will effect you the next night.
Q:
I get painful pins and needles in my legs a lot when I'm resting. Could I have RLS?
A:
Maybe, but there could be other explanations, as well. Some people say their RLS is just a feeling of discomfort yet some say it's extremely painful. Painful or not, we get the gamut of descriptions. RLS is less about the type of pain you feel than it is about whether or not you fit all four criteria of the syndrome.
Q:
I'm on Prozac for depression. Will that make my RLS worse?
A:
Prozac is an SSRI antidepressant, which for unknown reasons are commonly associated with increased leg kicks at night as well as the four symptom criteria needed for an RLS diagnosis. The only antidepressant that is not known to have these side effects is Wellbutrin. Should you switch? That's up to you and your doctor to find the right antidepressant for you. The good news is that Prozac and dopamine agonist medications are fine to mix if you need to.
Sleep:Restless Legs Syndrome
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