Multiple Sclerosis Patients at risk for having Restless Leg Syndrome

Alan Mozes, a HealthDay reporter, shares findings of a recent study on the association between Restless Leg Syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis: 

"According to the study, almost 15 percent of the MS patients were diagnosed with RSL, while less than 3 percent of those without MS had the syndrome."

I personally find these studies to be very beneficial because if you do find that you have Restless Leg Syndrome and it is affecting your sleep and energy, there are things you can do about it.

What treatments are available for RLS?

On this neurology site Dr. R. O'Brien states that there are many medications which may be of help to RLS sufferers: 

"There are several medications which have been reported as effective in suppressing RLS symptoms, but again there are few formal studies to compare effectiveness. These drugs generally fall into 4 categories, including dopamine agonists (example, ropinirole, pergolide), opiates (example: Oxycodone), benzodiazepines (example: clonazepam), and anticonvulsants (example: Gabapentin or Carbamazepine)."

There are also things which can exacerbate Restless Leg Syndrome symptoms and these include caffeine, alcohol, some anti depressants and some anti psychotic and anti nausea medications.

Other conditions linked to RLS are having Rheumatoid Arthritis, Parkinson's disease, Peripheral Neuropathy, and Thyroid problems. 

In my personal experience it seems stretching alleviates a lot of my jumpy leg symptoms.  Stretching or massage seems to help me the best.

How about you?  Do you feel you might have Restless Leg Syndrome?  Have any of you been officially diagnosed with this?  What treatments help you?  We want to hear your stories!