A recently-released Canadian study showed that people with multiple sclerosis are approximately 2.4 times more likely to have the condition Restless Leg Syndrome versus the general population. Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS, is comprised of leg discomfort while sleeping, sitting or standing that is relieved by frequent and rapid movement of the legs.In other words, the legs of an RLS patient drive them crazy anytime they are inactive, and shaking them back and forth quickly makes the pain go away, albeit temporarily. It sounds lighthearted, but, particularly via disruption of sleep, it can be a serious condition.

Dr. Pierre Duquette, an MS researcher with the University of Montreal, scanned 100 controls, 100 people with rheumatoid arthritis and 200 MS patients with respect to RLS. They found that 38% of MS'ers had RLS, compared with 31% of those with arthritis and 16% of the otherwise healthy controls.

No explanations as to the MS-RLS link were offered in the study, except a tantalizing note that 30% of the MS patients with RLS also had a family member with the condition, hinting at a hereditary source rather than simple neuropathy, etc.

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