Scientific information about RLS

[nightdancer]

If anyone is looking for GREAT info on RLS , and what Dr, Christopher Earley says can be the 3 causes........go to this web site. hopkinsmedicine.org The RLS Quality Care Center is there at Johns Hopkins. The 3 main causes listed are "brain concentrations of iron", "brain concentrations of dopamine" (or lack thereof) and GENES. 70% of all RLS is genetic. Best to stick with the science of it all. Dr Earley is one of the most respected RLS experts in the world, and he still treats patients, too. This is, of course, in the USA. But, the information is global. When you go to the site, just look for the RLS Quality Care Center in the search box. Apparently , I only gave the general link. Manerva has posted the direct link below.

[Hidden]

Thanks

[Jf76]

Thank you!! God bless you.

[Jumpey]

Cheers.x

[long-legs]

I have a friend who had rls and it went away following back surgery. So maybe there's another cause somewhere in the back.

[Hidden in reply to long-legs]

Yes, no reason not to think that back surgery can't help in those cases where there was compression of the spinal cord. I believe the way our dopamine transport system works is that our dopamine receptors (which are small and few in those of us with RLS) are the gateway by which the chemical dopamine is taken up in the brain then transmitted through the central nervous system which is really the spinal cord. Dopamine which is a chemical in the brain becomes this quasi chemical/electrical signal as it travels down the spinal cord on it's way to our peripheral nervous system (meaning our arms and legs). That dopamine that travels down our spinal column is what quiets our arms and legs. If it's impeded by a severely compressed spinal cord I could see back issues causing RLS but most likely only in people who have a tendency toward RLS to begin with. Surgery to correct the compression would simultaneously improve the RLS. You have to remember that probably the vast majority of the world could have a compression in their spinal column yet have no symptoms of RLS whatsoever. But if you're predisposed to RLS as I am, then anything that interferes with that liquid gold (dopamine) such as antihistamines, anti-depressants, and about 100 other things will provoke it. Even with people who are not predisposed to RLS and who have magnificent dopamine receptors there is a point of no return. I have read that large doses of LSD will provoke RLS in just about anyone for however brief a period. I have also read that 100% of patients with traumatic spinal cord injuries (meaning paralysis) suffer from RLS.

[Hidden in reply to long-legs]

Here's another case academic.oup.com/sleep/arti...

[nightdancer in reply to long-legs]

Well, I have had 5 back surgeries, broke my back when I was 14. If only. The ONE thing that connects backs to this, is that the spinal fluid is the dopamine transport system to the brain. In RLS, the neurotransmitters are blocked and do not work correctly. So, that is why dopamine meds help so many people. But, as usual, no one thing works for all of us. Would be sooooo much easier if there was ONE thing, like for Diabetes and insulin. There is no easy answers for RLS. There have been a couple of studies on "backs and RLS", not much came of them. How long did your friend have RLS and do you know what KIND of back surgery? I have always tried to link that up to RLS, but you cannot prove it by my experiences. I have always felt, though, over the decades of research, that RLS COULD be connected to the spine in some way. BUT, we KNOW the neurotransmitters D1 and D3 are the ones that are defective in people with RLS. And, as for me, I have had 3 surgeries on my cervical spine, too (neck), Trapped nerves to the point where the occipital nerve was actually cut, so the left side of my head is numb now. They have gone in with drills, etc. Fun fun fun!

[long-legs in reply to nightdancer]

My friend had a Tarlov cyst or cysts. When it was removed her RLS disappeared. I suppose that's a special case.

[nightdancer in reply to long-legs]

That is different, for sure. We never know, do we?

[Hidden]

Hi, I clicked on the link you posted and I couldn't find anything on RLS at all.

However, this links takes you directly to the RLS centre

hopkinsmedicine.org/neurolo...

[nightdancer in reply to Hidden]

Well THAT is weird! I may have just given the general web site by mistake, but it is easy to fine the RLS Quality Care Center if you just go to the Johns Hopkins web site, just a short search.

[ironbrain]

Over eight years old, but quite an extensive consideration of the causes of RLS

specialistsgastro.com/clien...

[nightdancer in reply to ironbrain]

And, it is still nothing but a theory right now. NO research dollars floating around. Gut bacteria gets blamed for a LOT of stuff. But, interesting to read these theories again. SIBO seems to be a catch all for a lot of theories. Thanks for posting it.