There are two distinct disorders: RLS and PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Disorder). They can be confused and while they use some of the same treatments for both they are still very distinct and different disorders...or so they say. To me they seem like the same thing. You may have PLMD rather than RLS.

ETA: Since I had a duh moment and didn't really answer your main question; According to the doctor, the expert on RLS and such, no, PN doesn't cause RLS. They don't know what causes it but they have ID'd some triggers. There doesn't seem to be a connection between RLS and PN. There are shared symptoms in all of these above mentioned disorders. It requires testing and a good doc to differentiate between what's what.

Now that you mention it...Periodic Limb Movement does sound familiar. I'll have to got back through the cobwebs of my mind, but maybe that was my diagnosis instead of the RLS. It seems to me that there was a discussion between the doc and the technician at the time of the sleep study about RLS vs. PLM....

Exactly! A sleep study is the only way these things can really be diagnosed. Some of the treatments may be the same. For me, Tramadol treats both the PN and the RLS symptoms as well. Mirapex worked wonders as well. However, Tramadol is much cheaper for me. And I have this odd little thing...why take two pills when one will do? I'm trying to remember what exactly works for PLM... I know the info is at the link I gave above. Yep, just checked... http://www.rlshelp.org/ Look in the left hand menu for RLS and PLMD treatments. The letters he gets and publishes from patients proved invaluable to me as well. I wrote to him and he's quick to respond.

I developed a large number of plantars warts (10) on my left foot two years ago and had them treated for the 2nd time yesterday. Within 1.5 hours of having the liquid nitrogen applied, not only was my foot swollen from the applications but my legs were so restless that I could only gain relief by walking, which of course hurt like crazy. To relieve my restless legs (some 7 hours later), I applied some fibromyalgia serum + ice gel and took to Advil pain tablets and was finally able to go to sleep. What this extreme onset of my RLS during the day (which is uncommon for me) made me think of was peripheral nerve damage as a result of the liquid nitrogen applications; seeing your not regarding peripheral neuropathy makes me wonder about any ongoing research that may be underway correlating 'pn' and 'rls'; does anyone know of any?

Normally I find that I only get restless legs (left leg only for me) during the night after having been asleep for about 1 hour and having had sweets (especially chocolate) after 6:00 p.m. that same evening --- I am a firm believer that sugar and RLS don't mix and I know, for me, if I indulge in sweets in the evening I have to be prepared to fight with a restless leg until about 6:30 a.m. the following morning.

RLS is very related to PN, if not a symptom of PN. Given you can tell it flares up with sugar consumption, I would say it is time to be worked up for metabolic issues related to glucose metabolism....diabetes or reactive hypoglycemia.

As to the flare up of RLS, I notice when I stress my legs, or even get emotional stress, I can count on my RLS flaring. I went for a short bike ride the other day, and for 3 days, my RLS increased.

RLS is the pits.

Hi Zayne,

I have not had RLS but I seem to have severe neuropathy though I only got a symptomatic diagnosis from the ER. I don't have health insurance so I have not had any tests run yet. I do have an appointment with a volunteer clinic in 2 weeks and I'm hoping they can get me in to see a neurologist quickly. It all started 3 years ago with tingling and occasinal numbness in my left foot after I smashed my little toe on a table leg. Now, in the last 4 months after a fall walking into a store with wet floors, I have intense burning or cold numbness in both feet, horrific pain, as if there are little hard shelled creatures rolling around in both legs and excruciating vise like pain in my genitals. I'm only assuming that all of this is related to the toe smash and the fall but I really don't know anything for sure. I have been on 900 mgs. of Neurontin for 3 weeks but it doesn't seem to be helping and is making me very irritable. I don't know whether to cut it out or double the dose as I read that other people are taking much higher doses, some with success. Does that mean I'll be twice as irritable? The overall pain is worse on my left side and I walk awkwardly with a definate limp. I have found that icy or hot circulating foot baths, depending on how my feet feel, with epsom salts, provides relief for a decent amount of time and sometimes light massage if I can stand it improves circulation. I take an extended relief opiate called Opama 2 or 3 times a day and I find it helps better than other pain meds I've tried and it doesn't interfere with sleep. I also take flexeril, a muscle relaxer, at bedtime to help with sleep, which is hard to come by these days. I find some relief but I do feel 'hungover' most of the time, but it seems a small price to pay compared to the relentlous pain. I have to wear something loose and comfortable on my feet at all times, either lined slippers or plastic clogs with socks, regardless of whether my feet are burning or freezing. I don't want to be bound to all theses medications for the rest of my life, but right now it's the best I can do. I am reading lots about vitamin B12 and other supplements that can be helpful. I'll be getting tested for deficiencies at the clinic.
I know I'm sort of rambling here but the severity of my condition has come on pretty quickly and I'm just relaying my experience in the hopes that it will be helpful to others and trying to learn as much as I can by hearing other peoples experiences. I hope some of this has been helpful to you. John

Oy! My RLS symptoms went completely away when I stopped taking Zyrtec, per the doctor's suggestion from the website I referenced further up. Now I'm on Xyzal (the "clean" version of Zyrtec) and it's much better. However, I have noticed that lately when I stress my legs in any way I will have an episode. The other day I was on my feet a good bit and sitting in a car and a wheel chair. I had a blood clot about 6 weeks ago so activity has been restricted until they tell me the clot is fully dissolved. Sitting in some chairs makes the issues worse it seems. I had a doctors appt for blood work that day and was in a wheel chair at two stores afterwards. It wore me out a bit. I piled up on the couch when I got home to put the bad leg up and the RLS was pretty bad. Worst it's been in a long time. Some other drugs, such as the main cough suppressant in most cough syrups gives me severe RLS symptoms.

I am new to the group. I am a 65 year old Vietnam Veteran, who was exposed to Agent Orange. I have suffered with RLS for about 10 years, and first was on requip, and now on mirapex, which helps. I have to wear support hose to drive any distance or fly. I have been treated by a private doc for this, but have also begun treatment with the VA. I have been trying to find information on the relationship of RLS to PH, as PH is considered a presumptive disease by the VA-if you have PH and served in Vietnam you are presumed to have it caused by Agent Orange. It is a condition for which disability is paid. I plan to file for this and am interested if anyone else has experienced the same issues, or has seen any documentation that establishes the relationship.

hi
i have had Willis-Ekbom disease ( aka RLS ) since i was little and have been on requip sine it was approved for RLS treatment and has worked well most of the time. Like many others there are certain things that trigger it into high gear.
i recently started taking b12 and had to stop it got so bad nothing helped and i walked the floor for 2 days.I am now getting better and have stopped the b12.I was recently dx with small fiber neuropathy ( confirmed by skin biopsy). One of the first thing my neuro asked was did i have Willis-Ekbom disease. She then told me there has been some speculation of patients with sfn also having Willis-Ekbom disease. She said there was research going on in that area, so there may be a connection. I do know they have found a gene mutation for Willis-Ekbom disease and they are sure it can be passed in families (such is my case ) I don't know if this helps or not but there is a RLS org with much more info.

--can be considered a sub-type of motor neuropathy, in a sense, though most motor neuropathies show definite damage to the nerves themselves, and that has yet to be found in RLS (or the new designation, Willis-Ekbom).

It seems to be more a condition of improper neurotransmitter balance than of nerve damage per se. (There are a lot of neurotransmitter or neuromuscular junction conditions out there that do not involve damage to the actual nerve CELLS or tracts.) The fact that iron imbalance may play a role might support considering it a neuropathy, though.