Anyway I think this pretty much sums up my opinion:

It’s real. I have stayed awake entire nights due to it. Is it overdiagnosed and over-medicated? Probably, just like a lot of other conditions. But just because something is overdiagnosed, that doesn’t mean it fails to exist.

Yep.

Thanks a boatload for being so understanding, Oliver.

Treatment is nontrivial — since the syndrome is pretty much just a collection of symptoms, it really depends on the underlying cause, which is different in each case (and can be as simple as magnesium deficiency). The drugs they’re pushing aren’t particularly effective or very safe, though I’m sure they’re the best treatment for a small fraction of the affected population.

Drug ads should be banned. I know people for whom Vioxx is absolutely appropriate because they have severe arthritis and other painkillers don’t work, and they have low risk for heart disease.

But the drug companies advertised Vioxx to ten bazillion people, got millions of people using it who should have been on other painkillers, and then caused a reaction when the dangers (which well-informed people knew all along) were “discovered”, and ended up with it being banned. Which screwed the tiny population of people who really *did* need the stuff.

My girlfriend claims to have it. I dunno, if one of the sysptoms is thrashing around in your sleep and kicking your partner, then yeah. Her mom said that a remedy (”it works, I don’t know why) is to put a bar of soap, preferably Irish Spring, under the covers near your feet.

Ho’kay.

RLS can be quite painful and disrupts his sleep significantly. If the sleep cycle is disrupted enough, the symptoms of RLS become worse.

Like those diagnosed with fibromyalgia, RLS sufferers tend to have a history of emotional trauma, so drugs alone don’t solve the problem. But the US has a short-term solution mentality about most things. I don’t want to really look at myself or change my behavior, the insurance companies will put out for meds over a doctor’s time, so pills will always be pushed.

Cyanide, maybe, but that awaits FDA approval.

“I was afraid to leave the house, self conscious that everyone would look at my fingernails and comment on how the pinky nail was longer than the thumb’s. I even wore gloves everywhere. I couldn’t sleep at night thinking my middle toenail might outgrow my fourth toe’s by one thousandth of an inch.

But then my doctor told me about a new drug called PLACEBO. Just two pills a day and my Uneven Fingernail Growth Disorder Anxiety has been under control!!!

Within a week I was able to take my gloves off. A whole new world has opened up for me and the dog will now come near me. If only the drug companies could do something about my Acute Eyebrow Awarenesss….

Warning: Placebo may cause psychosomatic headaches and uncontrollable bowel movements. Do not use PLACEBO as an antidepressant. PLACEBO should not be used to decorate birthday cakes unless you are really out of sprinkles.

Worst part of it, it puts me on the same side as Tom Cruise.