Restless Leg Syndrome and Varicose Veins
29th September, 2011 - Posted by Dr. Gupta - 2 Comments
Are they related?
Varicose Veins and Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) have many symptoms in common: an urge to move your legs, that creepy-crawly feeling, itching, tingling and restlessness. These symptoms may be an indication of poor circulation, even though you have no visible varicose veins. Varicose vein sufferers also report burning, heaviness, pain, cramping, tiredness and aching.
Our patient, Edward Kajes, of Roseville, MN, had severe cramping and shaking in his legs throughout the day and night. He was on medication for Restless Leg Syndrome and-even after increasing his dosage-could not get the relief he needed. He wondered if it could be a problem with his circulation, so he came to see us. Even before his second laser treatment, the cramping and shaking in his treated leg had subsided.
For varicose vein sufferers, these symptoms center on the fact that leg muscles and tissue are not getting enough oxygen and nutrient-rich blood due to poor circulation. That “pins and needles” feeling creates an urge to move their legs, making it difficult to sleep at night. Not all varicose veins can be seen on the surface, so these symptoms are sometimes the only indication of an underlying problem.
If varicose veins or venous insufficiency is the cause of your symptoms, medications such as pramipexole (Mirapex) and ropinirole (Requip) may not be of benefit to you, and may unnecessarily expose you to drug-related risks.
In a 2008 study of patients with SVI (superficial venous insufficiency) and moderate to very severe RLS, vein therapy using Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) and Sclerotherapy (STS) alleviated many RLS symptoms. Study results indicated an overall average of 80% improvement of symptoms, with 53% of patients reporting symptoms were largely gone, and 31% of patients reporting symptoms were completely gone.¹
If you suffer from RLS symptoms, and the cause is in your circulatory system, talk to us. We can help, even if you have experienced a failed treatment in the past, such as vein stripping, sclerotherapy or radio frequency ablation (VNUS Closure™).
¹Phlebology 2008;23(3):112-7
Tags: laser treatment RLS, Restless Leg Syndrome, RLS, symptoms of RLS, Varicose Veins
Posted on: September 29, 2011
Filed under: Treatment, Varicose Veins
2 Comments
Susan Gangle
December 28th, 2011 at 6:11 pm
I have been suffering with restless legs for about the last 15 to 20 years when I first started to get the restless legs I would get them warm in bed and there would calm down but know they are just inpossiable to calm down some nights and during the day sometimes but they are also bad in the car and no place to stop and walk around a little while I had heard of a place in Hutchinson Mn that might be able to help I live in Willmar Mn about 1 hour away from Hutchinson So if you have a number that I can call I would really appreciate it I would like to get off the requip I am taking for the restless legs sometimes it helps and sometimes it don’t Thank you
veinclinblogger
March 2nd, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Please call your local Vein Clinic PA location in Hutchinson at 320-455-0345. We provide state-of-the-art vein care treatments to ease your discomfort! You will get a good night’s rest!
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