A really good (though technical) paper written by the Research doctors from American RLS group

[HilsK]

Both of these sources of information are worth a read. The Americans are much more aware and ahead of the newly formed European initiative on RLS. Their research is much more focussed with extracts available to read.

The Scientific and Medical Advisory Board of the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation wrote and published this back in 2020. It is now available on line and although technical is full of useful references. It also talks about the occurrence of RLS and the factors contributing to its development. mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

The UK 'NICE' site have also considerably upgraded (2024) their page on RLS .. BUT if you look all their references are limited to pre 2015 and many of these references are more that 12 years old. NICE is what you can refer UK doctors to read .. if they are capable of understanding it. cks.nice.org.uk/topics/rest...

Notably Professor Christopher Earley who was quoted in a recent post on here, Dr Mark Buchfuhrer and others are the authors of the American paper.

[SueJohnson]

You are right. They are excellent. I actually gave you the reference to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which is considered the bible on RLS and Joolsg often mentions the UK one.

[HilsK in reply to SueJohnson]

Yes its al there Sue but its worth repeating !!!

[ChrisColumbus]

Yes, the updated Mayo Algorithm has been the key document about RLS and treatment, particularly since it was published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings in 2021.

Unfortunately while NICE guidance was updated in early 2024 to include information on dopamine agonist augmentation, it remains out of date in many aspects. And many UK GPs remain ignorant of augmentation - and impulse control disorders linked to DA's which are also mentioned - as well as the fact that NICE says, for example, that doctors should "Measure serum ferritin in all people with RLS" and "Address any underlying cause that may have precipitated or exacerbated restless legs syndrome (RLS). For example: Iron deficiency anaemia, or serum ferritin less than 50 to 75 micrograms/L — investigate to identify a cause of iron deficiency and prescribe iron supplements (if appropriate)." Et cetera!

Unfortunately while some have been prepared to read information from these sources when members have shared with them, it seems that many UK doctors and specialists are not prepared to accept 'foreign' research/advice, and are not even able to keep up with NICE.

[nocturne]

Thank you so much for the links! I just read the Mayo Clinic report, and it's excellent.

[RLSLearner]

Yep the Mayo Algorithm is the place to start and if we could get all doctors to just use that we would be way forwards. Interesting the NICE guide line are not available to me in Australia. But maybe someone could copy them and share?

[Eryl]

Arealy good paper reviewing strategies to manage the symptoms but nothing about the causes. In my experience I can eliminate the cause by reducing my systemic inflammation caused by foods in my diet.