I have had Sleep Apnea and RLS for years, and have tried and found that I was unable to use all known SA devices. I recently went to a Sleep Doctor for treatment of RLS, which has become a real problem. My immediate past Sleep Doctor had prescribed Mirapex; when the RLS rebounded, he increased the dosage. The new doctor asked if I was sleepy during the day while taking the Mirapex and I answered that I had to fight to stay awake. He immediately told me to stop driving, and took me off the Mirapex. The daytime sleepiness problem went away within 2 days after I stopped the Mirapex, but I was told that, before I could resume driving, I would have to take a sleep test (my 7th so far) and buy a device to replace my CPAP mask - a strapless mask which the dentist in this sleep complex had invented, and which Medicare would pay for, all but $450.00. (I saw an identical device advertised on a Sleep Apnea site for $169.00). I have been fitted for the device, and have been told that I will have to use it for 6 hours per night for a month before he will consider restoring my driving priviledges. All sleep doctors (and they are many) whom I have seen have had an office full of CPAP related devices, and can give you a speil that a used car salesman would be proud of. Does anyone know of a way in which I can have the RLS treated without having to wear a CPAP, which I cannot tolerate? Have I been had?

If this sounds like I have little use for sleep doctors, that is an accurate assumption.

I was dx'd with OSA and RLS 8 years ago, I used mirapex and a few others, but they took me off of it, then put me on Klonipin, which has about 30 side effects, which I did not know about at the time and complained about to the doctors and they said that was stupid and increased the dose.

I've had 11 sleep studies and most showed RLS and a few didn't, so I suspect the wire were not hooked up properly. Actually restless leg syndrome is when you are awake and PLMD periodic leg movement disorder when when you are asleep. 3 doctors said I don't have RLS or PLMD and my brother has seen my legs and feet move quite often when I dose off in the living room.

'If this sounds like I have little use for sleep doctors, that is an accurate assumption." I completely agree with that 100%. Most of them are in sleep medicine to make money hand over fist according to what they have been taught by the CPAP companies and if you do not respond to treatment, they don't have a clue what to do, I have been told not to come back to their office or go see a psychiatrist. I know there are excellent sleep doctors out there, I however, have not had the privilege of meeting them.

Mike

Try taking iron pills, I take one every other day or one every three days. It seems to help!