RLS question in s Hopkins newsletter

[Guest guest]

Howdy,

From the " housecalls " question-and-answer column in the Feb 1999 issue of

" Health After 50 " , published by s hopkins.

I dont know the reference " in a recent article " , maybe it was the article on

leg pain a few months back.

Hope this is of interest.

PS, any typos it's the scanner's

fault, not my proofreading!

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" Drugs for restless legs "

Q: My doctor prescribed Sinemet for

my restless legs and it was a catastro-

phe. Why did you recommend it in a

recent article?

A: Dopaminergic agents such as car-

bidopa-levodopa (Sinemet) are the first-

line treatment for restless legs syncrome

(RLS) when no underlying cause can be

determined and nonpharmacologic mea-

sures do not provide relief from symp-

toms (a creeping sensation in the legs,

usually occurring at night; an over-

powering urge to walk around for relief).

These drugs, also used for Parkinson's

disease, enhance levels of dopamine -- a

chemical the body naturally p roduces

that regulates communication between

cells in the nervous system.

" Doctors often try Sinemet first, "

explains Dr. Earley, an

RLS expert at s Hopkins. " While

the drug works well with minimal side

effects for many patients, some will

experience a rebound effect, where

symptoms are relieved at night but are

much worse and more frequent during

the day. " Studies show that a newer

dopaminergic drug called pergolide

(Permax) is as effective as Sinemet and

has a much lower rebound potential.

Benzodiazepine tranquilizers, narcotics,

and anticonvulsants are other RLS

treatment options. " The condition

tends to be idiosyncratic, " Dr. Earley

says. " Therefore, treatment will differ

from patient to patient. "

Copyright ©1999 s Hopkins Medical

Letter Health After 50

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