How to deal with Restless Leg Syndrome?

Can you get restless leg syndrome in just one leg?

• For about 2 years now I've been getting this feeling in my left leg only. It comes and goes, but sometimes it gets really bad for weeks at a time. Occasionally it gets so bad it keeps me up at night. It's the constant urge to stretch my leg. I don't feel a itching, crawling, or tingling sensation - I just want to move and stretch my leg (particularly my calf). If it gets bad enough, I also start to feel almost a numbness in my left foot, like it's falling asleep. Is this RLS or something else? Has anyone experienced it in just one leg? I do have a gluten intolerance, and sugar intolerance, so it might be possible that eating these foods can cause it. I don't know, but it's so annoying. Should I see a doctor?

• Answer:

  I have not heard of it happening in just one leg. My husband has restless legs syndrome and it is definitely in both legs. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition in which your legs feel extremely uncomfortable while you're sitting or lying down. It makes you feel like getting up and moving around. When you do so, the unpleasant feeling of restless legs syndrome temporarily goes away. Restless legs syndrome can begin at any age and generally worsens as you get older. Women are more likely than men to develop this condition. Restless legs syndrome can disrupt sleep — leading to daytime drowsiness — and make traveling difficult. Making simple lifestyle changes can play an important role in alleviating symptoms of RLS. These steps may help reduce the extra activity in your legs: Take pain relievers. For very mild symptoms, taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) when symptoms begin may relieve the twitching and the sensations. Try baths and massages. Soaking in a warm bath and massaging your legs can relax your muscles. Apply warm or cool packs. You may find that the use of heat or cold, or alternating use of the two, lessens the sensations in your limbs. Try relaxation techniques, such as meditation or yoga. Stress can aggravate RLS. Learn to relax, especially before going to bed at night. Establish good sleep hygiene. Fatigue tends to worsen symptoms of RLS, so it's important that you practice good sleep hygiene. Ideally, sleep hygiene involves having a cool, quiet and comfortable sleeping environment, going to bed at the same time, rising at the same time, and getting enough sleep to feel well rested. Some people with RLS find that going to bed later and rising later in the day helps in getting enough sleep. Exercise. Getting moderate, regular exercise may relieve symptoms of RLS, but overdoing it at the gym or working out too late in the day may intensify symptoms. Avoid caffeine. Sometimes cutting back on caffeine may help restless legs. It's worth trying to avoid caffeine-containing products, including chocolate and caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea and soft drinks, for a few weeks to see if this helps. Cut back on alcohol and tobacco. These substances also may aggravate or trigger symptoms of RLS. Test to see whether avoiding them helps. Stay mentally alert in the evening. Boredom and drowsiness before bedtime may worsen RLS. Mentally stimulating activities such as video games or crossword puzzles can help you stay alert and may reduce symptoms of RLS. If these measures don't help there are a number of medications your doctor might suggest. In any case, you should check with your doctor to figure out for sure what is going on. Check here for more information. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/restless-legs-syndrome/DS00191