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http://www.ninds.nih.gov/healinfo/DISORDER/restless/RESTLESS.HTM National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892 RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME DESCRIPTION: Restless legs syndrome is a motor (movement) disorder characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs, which is worse during periods of inactivity or rest or while sitting or lying down. Individuals affected with the disorder describe the sensations as pulling, drawing, crawling, wormy, boring, tingling, pins and needles, prickly, and sometimes painful sensations that are usually accompanied by an overwhelming urge to move the legs. Sudden muscle jerks may also occur. Movement provides temporary relief from the discomfort. In rare cases, the arms may also be affected. Symptoms may interfere with sleep (sleep onset insomnia). Research suggests that restless legs syndrome is related to periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), another more common motor disorder which causes disturbed sleep. TREATMENT: Treatment for restless legs syndrome is symptomatic. In most cases, medications such as clonazepam, temazepam, levodopa/carbidopa, bromocriptine, pergolide mesylate, oxycodone, propoxyphene, and codeine are effective in relieving the symptoms. However, some medications may have side effects. Application of cold compresses may also provide relief of symptoms. PROGNOSIS: Restless legs syndrome is a life-long condition for which there is no cure. Symptoms may gradually worsen with age, and their most disabling feature is the sleep onset insomnia they cause, which can be severe. RESEARCH: The NINDS supports an extensive program of basic research aimed at discovering the mechanisms behind many motor disorders such as restless legs syndrome, especially those associated with sleep. The goal of this research is to discover ways to prevent, diagnose, treat, and, ultimately, find cures for motor disorders including restless legs syndrome. These articles, available from a medical library, may provide more in-depth information on restless legs syndrome: McGee, S. "Restless legs syndrome." Journal of American Medical Association, 265:22; 3014 (June 12, 1991). Pelletier, G, Lorrain, D, and Montplaisir, J. "Sensory and motor components of the restless legs syndrome." Neurology, 42:9; 1663-1666 (September 1992). Judith Richards [log in to unmask] At 02:01 29/01/98 -0500, MR SEYMOUR GROSS wrote: >-- [ From: Seymour Gross * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] -- >The current issue of Life Magazine has an article on Sleep. It states >that sinamet is being prescribed for RLS (for other than PWP) , which >seemed to me to be a new use for this medication.