What is RLS?
About restless legs syndrome.
Yes, restless legs syndrome is a real medical condition.
It is not your imagination. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is real, but is often
undiagnosed. So, if you have symptoms of RLS, your doctor can explain which
treatment options are available. Only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe therapy for
RLS.
If you suffer from RLS, you are not alone.
Restless legs syndrome is a common sensorimotor disorder that affects millions of
people. Patients describe the condition in various ways, from a burning and aching to a
creepy feeling like bugs crawling inside their legs. Patients with RLS often have the
urge to move their legs even when they want to rest. Symptoms are usually worse
during the evening while sitting or lying down. Often, the only way patients can find
relief is to get up and move around.
RLS can affect patients' sleep and their day-to-day lives.
Many people who have RLS find that the only way to ease or stop the uncomfortable
sensations is to move around. Unfortunately, this constant urge to move makes it
difficult to relax, sit, or even get to sleep.
Many people with RLS find that their legs are more bothersome at night when they just
want to rest. This often causes them to be tired during the day, and can make it difficult
to concentrate and enjoy normal activities. In fact, studies show that RLS can have as
great an impact on quality of life as many major illnesses, including diabetes and
depression.
Primary vs secondary restless legs syndrome.
Restless legs syndrome can be a primary or a secondary condition. Primary RLS is the
main form of the disease and the condition for which MIRAPEX is prescribed.
Secondary RLS is caused by an unrelated condition such as pregnancy, anemia, or iron
deficiency.*
Twelve million Americans may suffer from moderate to severe primary RLS, according
to one estimate.
About restless legs syndrome.
Yes, restless legs syndrome is a real medical condition.
It is not your imagination. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is real, but is often
undiagnosed. So, if you have symptoms of RLS, your doctor can explain which
treatment options are available. Only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe therapy for
RLS.
If you suffer from RLS, you are not alone.
Restless legs syndrome is a common sensorimotor disorder that affects millions of
people. Patients describe the condition in various ways, from a burning and aching to a
creepy feeling like bugs crawling inside their legs. Patients with RLS often have the
urge to move their legs even when they want to rest. Symptoms are usually worse
during the evening while sitting or lying down. Often, the only way patients can find
relief is to get up and move around.
RLS can affect patients' sleep and their day-to-day lives.
Many people who have RLS find that the only way to ease or stop the uncomfortable
sensations is to move around. Unfortunately, this constant urge to move makes it
difficult to relax, sit, or even get to sleep.
Many people with RLS find that their legs are more bothersome at night when they just
want to rest. This often causes them to be tired during the day, and can make it difficult
to concentrate and enjoy normal activities. In fact, studies show that RLS can have as
great an impact on quality of life as many major illnesses, including diabetes and
depression.
Primary vs secondary restless legs syndrome.
Restless legs syndrome can be a primary or a secondary condition. Primary RLS is the
main form of the disease and the condition for which MIRAPEX is prescribed.
Secondary RLS is caused by an unrelated condition such as pregnancy, anemia, or iron
deficiency.*
Twelve million Americans may suffer from moderate to severe primary RLS, according
to one estimate.
The symptoms of RLS may not be easy to describe.
People with RLS often use words like "creepy-crawly," "aching," "tingling," “twitching,”
“fidgety,” and/or "tugging" to try and describe the strange feelings they sense in their
legs. It’s okay to describe symptoms in this manner and in these terms. Many people with
RLS have difficulty explaining the odd sensations they feel, even when talking to their
doctor or loved ones. The sensations are usually deep within the legs, usually the
calves, and in some cases in the arms.
People with RLS say that they have an urge to move their legs even when they are tired
and want to relax. The symptoms are often worse at night, and many patients say their
legs feel funny when they have to sit still for a long time. They may also find it difficult to
sit through a long meal, a movie, a show, or any activity that requires immobility.
SYMPTOM CHECKLIST
The four essential symptoms of RLS.
Yes No I have a strong urge to move my legs when resting.
Yes No I have feelings in my legs such as burning, creeping, crawling, aching, tingling,
and tugging.
Yes No Moving my legs gives me relief.
Yes No My symptoms are worse at night when I rest.
Yes No Do symptoms of RLS affect activities during the night and day?*
If yes, which of the following are affected by your RLS symptoms?
Yes No Poor sleep
Yes No Daytime exhaustion
Yes No Body pain
Yes No Tired legs
Yes No Mood disturbance
Does anyone in your family have the symptoms of RLS?
Yes No
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This checklist is designed to help you better understand the symptoms you are
experiencing and to see if they relate to RLS. Please note that this list is not a tool for
diagnosis. Only your doctor can make a diagnosis.
If you agreed with any of these statements, you may have RLS. Restless legs syndrome is
a treatable condition. Talk to your doctor today.
*The symptoms above, while associated with RLS, do not serve as diagnostic criteria.
Products approved for the treatment of RLS may not improve all these symptoms.
Some ways RLS patients describe their condition:
I feel fidgety
It’s like creepy-crawly bugs crawling under my skin
I have an irresistible urge to move my legs
Tingling
Tugging
It gets worse when I rest or lie down
It is worse at night when I really want to sleep
I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep
I get twitching and jerking of my legs
Moving my legs gives me relief
People with RLS often use words like "creepy-crawly," "aching," "tingling," “twitching,”
“fidgety,” and/or "tugging" to try and describe the strange feelings they sense in their
legs. It’s okay to describe symptoms in this manner and in these terms. Many people with
RLS have difficulty explaining the odd sensations they feel, even when talking to their
doctor or loved ones. The sensations are usually deep within the legs, usually the
calves, and in some cases in the arms.
People with RLS say that they have an urge to move their legs even when they are tired
and want to relax. The symptoms are often worse at night, and many patients say their
legs feel funny when they have to sit still for a long time. They may also find it difficult to
sit through a long meal, a movie, a show, or any activity that requires immobility.
SYMPTOM CHECKLIST
The four essential symptoms of RLS.
Yes No I have a strong urge to move my legs when resting.
Yes No I have feelings in my legs such as burning, creeping, crawling, aching, tingling,
and tugging.
Yes No Moving my legs gives me relief.
Yes No My symptoms are worse at night when I rest.
Yes No Do symptoms of RLS affect activities during the night and day?*
If yes, which of the following are affected by your RLS symptoms?
Yes No Poor sleep
Yes No Daytime exhaustion
Yes No Body pain
Yes No Tired legs
Yes No Mood disturbance
Does anyone in your family have the symptoms of RLS?
Yes No
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This checklist is designed to help you better understand the symptoms you are
experiencing and to see if they relate to RLS. Please note that this list is not a tool for
diagnosis. Only your doctor can make a diagnosis.
If you agreed with any of these statements, you may have RLS. Restless legs syndrome is
a treatable condition. Talk to your doctor today.
*The symptoms above, while associated with RLS, do not serve as diagnostic criteria.
Products approved for the treatment of RLS may not improve all these symptoms.
Some ways RLS patients describe their condition:
I feel fidgety
It’s like creepy-crawly bugs crawling under my skin
I have an irresistible urge to move my legs
Tingling
Tugging
It gets worse when I rest or lie down
It is worse at night when I really want to sleep
I have trouble falling asleep and staying asleep
I get twitching and jerking of my legs
Moving my legs gives me relief
What causes RLS?
Some researchers believe that RLS may be related to dopamine, the chemical
that carries signals among the nerve cells that control movement.
The genetic connection.
Some scientists have linked certain genes to RLS, suggesting a biological basis for
the disorder. More research is needed to develop a full understanding of this
genetic factor.
Patients with RLS frequently report having relatives with the condition.
It may run in the family.
Clinical trials have shown that some cases of RLS can be traced back to family
history. If you are experiencing symptoms and have a family member with RLS, it is
possible that you may have it too. It may be helpful to tell your doctor if you have a
family member with RLS.
Some facts about RLS:
Restless legs syndrome is underdiagnosed
Restless legs syndrome is more common in women than in men
Restless legs syndrome is more common in those over 50 than those under 40
Some researchers believe that RLS may be related to dopamine, the chemical
that carries signals among the nerve cells that control movement.
The genetic connection.
Some scientists have linked certain genes to RLS, suggesting a biological basis for
the disorder. More research is needed to develop a full understanding of this
genetic factor.
Patients with RLS frequently report having relatives with the condition.
It may run in the family.
Clinical trials have shown that some cases of RLS can be traced back to family
history. If you are experiencing symptoms and have a family member with RLS, it is
possible that you may have it too. It may be helpful to tell your doctor if you have a
family member with RLS.
Some facts about RLS:
Restless legs syndrome is underdiagnosed
Restless legs syndrome is more common in women than in men
Restless legs syndrome is more common in those over 50 than those under 40
