I've wrestled (no pun intended) with RLS for as long as I can remember - even as a small child I can remember squirming around in the back seat of our red Ford Maverick.  About 5 years ago I was diagnosed with RLS and was very relieved to learn that it was a treatable affliction.  That excitement was short-lived though after quickly discovering a year later that my body had developed a tolerance for Sinemet.  My symptoms had actually worsened as a result of taking this drug!

I switched over the Requip about 3 years ago, which has worked much better for me.  Requip is the only FDA approved medication for treating RLS symptoms, but even Requip has not been the wonder drug that I had hoped it would be.  I have learned that there are numerous factors that affect my quality of life - factors that I must manage on a daily, even hourly basis.

Here's my personal top-5 list of things I do to minimize my Restless Legs symptoms (beyond taking Requip judiciously):

1. Exercise regularly and frequently.  I work on the 9th floor building that has access to the stairwells, and I walk up and down these stairs at least 2 or 3 times each day.  I usually get between 30 minutes to an hour of relief after going up and down these stairs.

   I also ride a bike at least twice a week, and I've worked up to over 50 miles on the weekends.  Between the stairs and the cycling, I'm able to sleep better and I have more energy during the day.  I'm also losing a lot of weight along the way!

2. Take magnesium and vitamin supplements. I don't have an iron deficiency (which is a good thing to get checked if you haven't done so), but I do make sure that my body has all the vitamins and minerals it needs.  Magnesium is reported to be used by the body for neurological functions, and I've been able to gradually increase the amount of magnesium my body can absorb (you'll know right away if you're taking too much by the number of times you need to visit the restroom).
3. Get plenty of sleep.  My RLS symptoms are much worse the day after a late night party, or after getting up early.  If I'm able to get a full 7 or 8 hours of sleep, it makes a world of difference. The catch 22 for me is that Requip only lasts for about 4 to 6 hours for me at night, so I often supplement my sleep with a 30 minute nap in the car during my lunch break.
4. Stay away from high protein foods, alcohol, and caffeine. Protein acts as a neurological blocker, and can reduce your body's ability to process dopamine - resulting in increased RLS symptoms.  Alcohol and caffeine are also known to affect RLS symptoms, though this varies from person to person.  "Everything in moderation" is a good philosophy for me, and I've reduced my coffee intake to about a cup a day - no small feat in the Pacific NW where there's a Starbuck's on almost every corner!
5. Reduce stress. Taking care of yourself emotionally and mentally is almost as important as taking care of yourself physically.  I notice that my RLS symptoms increase dramatically when I'm under stress at work or home, which is not always avoidable.  I work hard to improve my relationships and to take time out for myself, and to set boundaries for how much I take on at a time.

With each of these tips, I try to use a scientific approach... making one small change at a time, and allowing enough time to pass before making a firm judgement on its effectiveness. 

Your mileage may vary, as your body is unique, but I hope that you find these tips helpful for managing your RLS symptoms.

Please feel free to leave a comment of your own with what you've found to be effective in managing your symptoms.