RLS VS OCD

Yeah, I know what you're thinking. RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) is one of those fake diseases made up by hypochondriacs and exploited by the Big Pharma to produce annoying commercials and sell expensive drugs. Well, maybe so.


All I know is once I hit the sack, that right foot starts doing the happy feet dance. It actually doesn't bother me unless I try to suppress the motion. The resulting sensation is very hard to describe...kind of like defining the color "red" to somone who has been blind for life. Did you ever do any distance running? Just think of that burning feeling in your leg muscles as lactic acid builds up. Then throw in a creepy tingling - as if thousand of tiny spiders were crawling around the insides of your legs.


So if it doesn't bother me unless I try to stop the motion (I hear you ask), why I in the world don't I just let it take its course? What's the point in trying to duke it out with your CNS sending phantom signals to your limbs?


Here's where the OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder) comes in. My poor wife has a, ahem..."heightened sensitivity" to certain sounds and motions, and my rhythmic leg movements are one of those annoyances. Now it's not like I'm kicking her; the actual range of motion is small. It's just that my constant leg movement is weirding her out and keeping her awake.


So, to keep the peace and avoid being any more of a selfish bastard than necessary, I toss this hot potato in the direction of my friendly family practioner.


He smiles and gives me that "I went to medical school for this?" shrug. Turns out there's no known cause or cure for RLS, just a vague set of symptoms (that's "syndrome" to you non-medical yokels).


So the good doctor prescribes a pill to add to my growing collection. Mirapex: yet another non-generic that my insurance will make me pay extra for.


So, does it work?


Kind of. Sometimes. It seems to help.


I've read a study of brain autopsies performed on RLS sufferers that suggests brain uptake of iron may be impaired. I'm going to try a little cocktail to help out the Mirapex.


This is suggested by the Life Extension Foundation, which I've found to be reliable source:

• Folic Acid—400 to 800 mcg daily. Take with 500 to 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 daily in the form of methylcobalamin.
• Magnesium citrate—100 to 250 mg before bed, depending on the severity of the symptoms.
• Iron—Dosing is based on individual needs. Better forms are iron protein succinylate or iron bis-glycinate. Take with 250 to 500 mg of vitamin C to help the body absorb the iron.
  

We'll see how it goes.

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