When my doctor first suspected that I was suffering from RLS about 4 years ago, he suggested I try a small dose of Sinemet to see if it masked my symptoms. The results were immediate and staggering - my symptoms were completely gone, and side affects were only some minor motor control impacts that I quickly adjusted to. But after two years of Sinemet, augmentation forced me to switch to Requip (experiencing symptoms earlier and earlier in the morning).

I started out with 0.5 mg of Requip three times a day and it was once again like a miracle drug. Now, another two years later, I'm up to 6 mg a day (yes, SIX - that's what someone with mid-level Parkinson's would be taking!) and augmentation is hitting hard.

This morning on the way to work at 7:30 a.m. I was hit with RLS "jolts" every 5 to 10 seconds. I was stuck in rush-hour traffic so I just had to endure it and tried to keep my foot light on the gas pedal. The jolts were a combination of a tickling/burning sensation and mild cramps... yes, very uncomfortable.

A friend of mine said he knew an acupuncturist who claimed she has had very good results with RLS patients. I'm almost willing to try anything at this point, but I don't see how acupunture could help at all with this.

If you're reading this, have you heard of any success with acupuncture, and do you understand the scientific reasoning behind it? If RLS is caused by my body not producing enough Dopamine to control my neurons from firing irregularly, then how can acupuncture change that?

I may also switch to Mirapax which I've heard is right up there with Requip on the list of mainstream, powerful RLS medications. But I'm hoping my new exercise program will delay the need to do that (read about it in the Medications & Techniques Forum.