I had a roommate in college that had what we called "jimmy legs." She didn't know what was wrong, but as soon as she'd lay down to sleep her legs would start to feel "creepy crawly" (her words) and the next thing you'd know she'd be jerking and shaking her legs -- sometimes on purpose, sometimes not. We used to laugh it off, but I know it was really uncomfortable for her. And I know that, since she didn't know what was really going on, it was frightening for her, too.

Though I can't say for sure, my guess is that my roommate had restless leg syndrome (RLS). RLS is a neurological condition that affects up to 10% of the US population. RLS patients feel uncomfortable sensations and an overwhelming urge to move their legs. Symptoms become worse during rest -- particularly when lying down -- and are put at bay by movement.

GlaxoSmithKline's Requip medication has been a premiere treatment for mild to moderate RLS. The FDA just approved a generic form of Requip. The medication is also approved to treat symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.

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Ever find your legs just moving about all over the place? This can happen in bed, while at your desk, while sitting on the couch or even in the car.

This syndrome, called "Restless Legs Syndrome", is being called a "disorder" in many health circles -- but is it really a "disorder"? Is it really a "neurological disorder" characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable urge to move when at rest? Is it caused by some environmental factor, some genetic predisposition or a combination of both?

That's how it has been termed, and sensations can range from being severe to uncomfortable to irritating to painful. Did RLS exist 40 years ago in the population of the U.S., though? Back then, was it just considered a "nervous tic" more than anything?

If you've received treatment for RLS, I'd like to hear from you. Did the treatment help?

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"Restless Legs Syndrome," or RLS, has only recently become a more widely recognized disorder -- most people have seen the commercials on TV and ads in magazines by now. But new research shows that people who suffer from RLS may have more to worry about than just escaping that creepy-crawly feeling in their legs: they could be at increased risk for heart disease.

People who suffer from symptoms of RLS -- involuntary leg twitching or jerking and that generalized "restless, gotta get moving" feeling -- experience rises in blood pressure similar to those of people who have sleep apnea. And sleep apnea is a known risk factor for heart disease for that very reason.

As of now there is no cure for Restless Leg Syndrome, but there are things you can do to help lessen symptoms and decrease your risk -- see your doctor for advice.

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