RLS- nerve or muscle disorder? - Restless Leg Syndrome Message Board

vtrav · 01-30-2001, 12:00 AM

I've had this for years. I was given quinine as a kid for kicking leg syndrome which did absolutely nothing for me. Mine gets really bad right before my period. I take boiling hot baths sometimes to mask the pain. Fortunately, I now have a new boyfriend who is really helpful and massages my legs all the time. I also find that putting my legs up, like on a couch, watching TV, makes it really bad. I wonder if this is a muscle or circulation problem. I think some doctors are now adding it under the fibromyalgia category, which basically means they know nothing. Maybe it is something to do with your nerve endings firing wrong. I have also thought it might be some kind of virus. I have this pain 24 hours a day, but sometimes it goes away for a little while. Anybody have any thoughts on this??

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02-06-2001, 07:45 AM

The primary symptom of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is the involuntary movement of various limbs, i.e., legs, feet, arms, etc., when sitting or laying down for any period of time. These symptoms usually are not relieved by massaging or hot baths, rather by medication. If you are not experiencing this type of problem, then you probably don't have RLS. Your comment regarding being given quinine for kicking leg syndrome is in line with some of the medications prescribed for RLS. It is probably one of the most common drugs prescribed by doctors unfamiliar with RLS when they hear the complaints of their patients. Quinine is the correct treatment for leg cramps, which many doctors confuse with restless leg. It is not considered an effective RLS medicine now and has been known to even cause some problems. Since you complain of constant pain, a visit to a Neurologist might be in order. Good luck.