Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

I never had any grogginess from the opioid meds. Just from pramipexole. I've had codeine, oxycodone, and hydromorph contin. But boy oh boy, if this could be fixed with a simple operation.... Let me know if the compression stockings help. I wore them all night for a few weeks, and it was comforting more often than not, but did not do enough to be worth the trouble.

Aaaaggghhhh !!
Just to show how different we all are, the very thought of compression stockings makes my skin creep, I cannot bear the very idea. Even ordinary tights drive me crazy and I only wear them if essential - think weddings and funerals.
Exellent that they benefit some folks

RLS is a frequent feature of patients with varicose veins and venous reflux. Few years ago a group of researchers in Texas study that eliminating the venous reflux with endovenous laser ablation of the great saphenous vein reduces or eliminates RLS. In my practice I have treated more than 150 patients in the last 3 years. These patients had moderate-severe RLS. They DID NOT show varicose veins but their Doppler studies showed clear venous reflux. Of those patients 140 had a favorable response. One hundred and four of them completely eliminated the symptoms, 36 found that they use half of the number of medications for RLS that were using before. Ten patients did not change their symptoms. There were NO complications. Dr Farhy, www.heartandveincenter.com

Dr Farhy have you published this? we would love to see the relevant literature. I came across a publication a while ago, describing something similar to what you describe, but I can't re-locate it. Might it might have been by your group?

Update:

I tried wearing prescription compression stockings all day for a couple of months this winter, with no improvement in RLS symptoms.
I also spent a full day in bed with no activity with no improvement in RLS symptoms. (To see if oedema was causing my RLS symptoms).
I am currently trying a prescription mediation called pentoxifylline 400 MG twice day. This med is supposed to increase the "slipperyness" of the blood, allowing for better circulation. Today is day 14, with no improvement.
Next week I go back to my vein doctor, to discuss whether we should try endovenous laser ablation to treat my RLS symptoms. At this point, I don't know if it's worth having the surgery or not.
I wish you all the best!

I'm pretty sure that the Texas study Dr. Farhy is reffering to is the same one I've been using to guide me through the venous insufficiency issue. Here's link:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18467618

It's not recent, unfortunately- 2008.

Dr. Farhy, can you give any general pros and cons or general guidelines on how one should decide to try this surgery or not? I don't have any vein-related symptoms at all, so the surgery for me would be purely a gamble to see if it helps my RLS. Thanks!

I have had RLS for over 15 years and five years ago, I had the long vein removed in my right leg due to a diagnosis of reflux in that leg. The reflux was due to bad check valves in that vein. After the operation, my RLS went away in that leg but came back to a minor degree within a few years. My severe RLS continues in my left leg. Circulation must have a lot to do with RLS.