The RLS Foundation

Ask the Doctor

 

While the RLS Foundation does not have any medical professionals on staff, we do receive a lot of questions for the "Ask the Doctor" section of our quarterly publication NightWalkers (a free benefit for members of the RLS Foundation). These questions are answered by our Medical Advisory Board and then published in NightWalkers.

If you have a question that you would like considered for publication in NightWalkers, please email kitsteiner@rls.org with your question. Please put "ASK THE DOCTOR" in the subject line. 

Look below to see if your question has already been answered. Please note the year that your question was answered as this could effect the timeliness of the answer.

• Is low blood pressure a symptom of RLS? (1997)
• Is cramping related to RLS? (1997)
• How are cramps and RLS symptoms different? (1999)
• Does smoking impact RLS? (1998)
• How are RLS and walking related? (1998)
• How are RLS and the immune system related? (1998)
• Can antidepressants help RLS? (1998)
• Can carbidopa/levodopa drugs stop working? (1998)
• Can Pepcid help RLS symptoms? (1998)
• Can shivering be related to RLS? (1998)
• Is my RLS medication causing stomach pains? (1998)
• Are my dizzy spells a symptom of RLS? (1998)
• Is RLS neurologic? (1998)
• Can RLS increase my appetite? (1998)
• Are cracking joints a symptom of RLS? (1998)
• Is head pounding a symptom of RLS? (1998)
• Are my RLS medications impacting my memory? (1998)
• Can weather impact my RLS? (1998)
• Which drug is better: Sinemet or Permax? (1999)
• Can RLS go into remission? (1999)
• How well does Klonopin work for RLS? (1999)
• Can I use opiates to treat my RLS? (1999)
• Is my lack of sleep, due to RLS, a factor in polymyalgia rhematica (PMR)? (1999)
• Can cholesterol-lowering medication exacerbate RLS? (1999)
• Could Tegretol be exacerbating my RLS symptoms? (1999)
• Can trauma cause RLS? (1999)
• Can Quinine sulfate help my RLS? (2000)
• Does sex improve or worsen RLS symptoms? (2000)
• Can antihistamines cause or aggravate RLS symptoms? (2000)
• Can polytherapy or rotating therapy help my RLS? (2000)
• Can a combination of medications help my RLS? (2000)
• Can I take Vicodin for my RLS? (2000)
• What drugs can I take for RLS while on kidney dialysis? (2000)
• Are memory problems associated with RLS? (2000)
• Can a full bladder increase RLS symptoms? (2000)
• Can an STD increase RLS symptoms? (2000)
• Can menstrual discomfort increase RLS symptoms? (2000)
• Is there a way to measure RLS? (2001)
• Can anti-seizure medication effect my RLS? (2001)
• Can RLS cause hip pain? (2001)
• Can caffeine make my RLS worse? (2001)
• Is my arthritis or bursitis connected to RLS? (2001)
• When is the best time of day to take iron supplements? (2002)
• Is there a connection between weather and RLS symptoms? (2002)
• Is there a connection between migraines and RLS? (2002)
• Is there a relationship between RLS and anemia? (2002)
• Is there a connection between peripheral neuropathy and RLS? (2002)
• Can corticoisteroids exacerbate RLS? (2002)
• Can stress worsen RLS? (2003)
• Can other medications worsen RLS? (2003)
• Can the drug Talwin help my RLS? (2003)
• Is there any allergy or cold medicine that will not make my RLS worse? (2003)
• Has RLS ever been atttributed to drug abuse and dependence? (2003)
• Are there drugs that are safe for me to take while I pilot an aircraft? (2003)
• Is there a relationship between multiple sclerosis and RLS? (2004)
• How can I handle forced mobilization for a surgery I am having when I have RLS? (2004)
• Is there any connection between sleep apnea and RLS? (2004)
• Can Clonazepam (for RLS) worsen my sleep apnea? (2004)
• What are the differences between Tourette's and RLS? (2004)
• Is there a connection between reflux medications and RLS? (2004)
• Does RLS have to be present at the time for a diagnosis to be made? (2004)
• Does exercise make RLS better or worse? (2004)
• What is the connection between dopamine agonists and compulsive behaviors? (2005)
• Is there a connection between lactic acid build up and RLS? (2005)
• Is there an association between RLS and endometriosis? (2005)
• Is there a connection between RLS and brain tumors? (2005)
• My legs feel extremely hot. Is this RLS? (2005)
• How is RLS effected by emotional factors (depression)? (2005)
• Is there a connection between RLS and brain surgery? (2005)
• Is there a connection between RLS and the antidepressant Celexa? (2005)
• What is the connection between Tylenol, Ibuprofin, and RLS? (2005)
• Would lowering my carbohydrate intake make my RLS less problematic? (2005)
• Is there a connection between Requip and/or Mirapex and skipping heart beats? (2005)
• Is there a link between RLS and frozen extremities? (2005)
• Is therea link between RLS and nerve placement? (2005)
• My child has a severe case of RLS. Do you have any advice? (2005)
• Is there a connection between MSG and RLS? (2005)
• Can Botox injections (botulinum toxin A) help my RLS? (2005 case study)

The RLS Foundation archives two years after issue date. We encourage you to join the RLS Foundation to receive a copy of our popular patient publication NightWalkers which provides answers to new questions each and every quarter in a much more timely manner.