THERE'S HELP FOR SUFFERERS OF RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME.Byline: Sandra Barrera Staff Writer Restless legs syndrome Restless Legs Syndrome Definition Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by unpleasant sensations in the limbs, usually the legs, that occur at rest or before sleep and are relieved by activity such as walking. has a PR problem. If you say you suffer from it, you're likely to get very strange looks from family and friends. Even your doctor might raise a skeptical brow, in which case you might consider seeking a second opinion. Eventually, most sufferers of moderate to serious RLS Restless legs syndrome (RLS) A disorder in which the patient experiences crawling, aching, or other disagreeable sensations in the calves that can be relieved by movement. RLS is a frequent cause of difficulty falling asleep at night. find a sympathetic, knowledgeable ear. Just ask Corbin Bernsen Corbin Dean Bernsen (born September 7, 1954) is an American actor, known for his work on television. His greatest fame came from his role of Arnold Becker on L.A. Law during the late 1980s and early 1990s,[1] , star of the USA Network hit series "Psych psych also psyche Informal v. psyched, psych·ing, psyches v.tr. 1. a. To put into the right psychological frame of mind: ," and his actress wife, Amanda Pays. They're the poster couple of "If Your Legs Could Talk," an educational and awareness initiative sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation with funding and other support from the pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline. After years of sporadic leg fits, the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. couple is now being treated for moderate RLS. Studies suggest this common neurological disorder Noun 1. neurological disorder - a disorder of the nervous system nervous disorder, neurological disease disorder, upset - a physical condition in which there is a disturbance of normal functioning; "the doctor prescribed some medicine for the disorder"; affects about 10 percent of the U.S. adult population. Researchers don't yet know what causes RLS, but it leads to varying degrees of sometimes painful, hard-to-describe sensations and an irresistible urge to get up and move, especially around bedtime. As a result, it can also lead to insomnia insomnia, abnormal wakefulness or inability to sleep. The condition may result from illness or physical discomfort, or it may be caused by stimulants such as coffee or drugs. However, frequently some psychological factor, such as worry or tension, is the cause. . Where it all began Pays recalls feeling antsy ant·sy adj. ant·si·er, ant·si·est Slang 1. Restless or impatient; fidgety: The long wait made the children antsy. 2. at night during her pregnancy with the couple's now-15-year-old twin boys. They also have two other sons, ages 9 and 18. "After running around all day, I was physically and mentally tired, but my legs would just be buzzing," the 47-year-old says. "I'd rub my calves vigorously, and eventually I'd fall asleep. "But with me, I'm a real 'bed at 10, up at 6 in the morning' person, and if anything disrupts that, I'm not a happy camper a person who is pleased with the situation in which s/he finds him/herself. Often used ironically or in understatement, especially in the negative; as, the passengers left behind on the island were not a bunch of happy campers s>. See also: Camper the next day." Bernsen was more fortunate than his wife in that respect. The 52-year-old actor, who has just finished filming a thriller that he wrote, directed, produced and starred in called "Donna on Demand," says he was in his mid-40s when he began to experience the occasional bout of leg cramps during the day while sitting in a confined space Confined space is a term from labor-safety regulations that refers to an area whose enclosed conditions and limited access make it dangerous. Description A confined space is any space: 1) that has limited or restricted means of entry or exit; 2) is large enough for a for long periods of time. But he tended to brush off what he described as "the feeling of always having the stretch" as the result of having dramatically cut down on his usual four-hour runs as he got older. Like most people with undiagnosed RLS, he just learned to cope with the episodes as best he could. "It was an inconvenience, but it wasn't like, my body can't take this anymore," Bernsen says. "If I was on a plane, I'd get up and walk around." Wake-up call Getting up and moving around temporarily brings 10 to 15 minutes of relief to RLS suffers, which is usually enough time to get to sleep for those affected at night. But it can also result in a very long and sleep-deprived night, depending on the severity of the condition. "People can spend a good part of their night up and just walking," says Mark J. Buchfuhrer, a Downey-based sleep specialist who has been working with Bernsen and Pays on treating their RLS. "But we want people to realize they don't have to suffer with this." Those who suspect they may have the condition can schedule an appointment with their doctor or visit GlaxoSmithKline's www.restlesslegs.com, Buchfuhrer suggests. "These are weird symptoms," Buchfuhrer says, adding that more and more doctors are becoming familiar with the condition and its treatments, including two FDA-approved drugs, with more in the pipeline. Drug therapy GlaxoSmithKline won approval to sell its drug Requip to patients with moderate to extreme RLS in 2005, and now the drug is a big moneymaker for the company, pulling in $268 million last year. Some worry it's being overprescribed to people with simple fidgetiness fidg·et·y adj. 1. Tending to fidget. 2. Creating unnecessary fuss. fidg  et·i·ness n. , but supporters say if it doesn't help, people will
just stop using it. Why pay the price and suffer possible side effects Side effectsEffects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. -- such as nausea and dizziness -- if it doesn't help? they ask. Bernsen and Pays wouldn't say whether they're taking any prescription medication for their symptoms. Only that whatever they're doing is working. "What we're doing has been absolutely wonderful," Bernsen says. "It's brought 100 percent control back to my life." "Exactly," Pays chimes in. "There is a remedy for it. If you need it, it's out there." Sandra Barrera, (818) 713-3728 sandra.barrera(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Amanda Pays and Corbin Bernsen are bringing attention to the medical condition known as restless legs syndrome. |
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