I started writing this at 4:15 a.m. this morning - not because I like to get up hours before most normal people, but because my legs are suffering from RLS jolts every few seconds.
I've tried Magnesium pills, which may have helped temporarily (though I now believe that was more mental than actually helpful). And I've tried exercise, which in some cases has actually made it worse - such as after a very hard workout.
I've tried Sinemet and Requip, with much better results from Requip. However, I'm now at the point where even Requip is failing me and I'm experiencing symptoms in the early mornings.
Symptoms throughout the day are much more severe now as well. My legs are starting to jerk uncontrollably while working on my computer, or in an office meeting (very embarrassing).
I have learned to keep my legs still when it's a burning/ticking sensation (the commonly reported "creep-crawly" feeling). But when my leg suddenly jerks forward with no warning, there's nothing I can do.
I'm afraid that my doctor will want to suspend my driving privileges, or put me on such a high dosage that I'll be nonfunctional. But I can't continue to function in my current situation, so it's off to specialist I go again.
My doctor didn't think I'd get any worse. He said he hadn't seen RLS as bad as he's seeing it in me, and that it usually gets better with age. That's contrary to everything I've read though, and certainly contrary to my own experiences.
Are your symptoms getting better or worse?
RLS and massage
I have very severe RLS. I take 8 mg a day of ReQuip... once upon a time a half mg worked. I also had Lyme Disease and now I have what they call Fibromyalgia and this condition worsens the RLS. I stumbled upon a remedy that really helps me. My children ages 6 and 10 walk on my back and legs and this calms down the jumpy legs and I usually doze off. Tigger