Q. I have Parkinson’s disease, which has led to 14 years suffering with restless leg syndrome. This keeps me awake at night. I also deal with pain and spasms as soon as I rest.
I take ropinarole for the Parkinson’s. It is also supposed to help with the RLS, but I haven’t noticed much effect.
The only relief I have had was after my Moderna COVID-19 vaccination. I called it a miracle because the relief was incredible. Sadly, it didn’t last more than a month or so.
I can’t wait to have my booster this year. I’ve got my fingers crossed it will be Moderna again. Have you heard of others reacting this way?
A. Two years ago, we received a message from a reader who had been suffering from RLS for years. After getting the Moderna vaccine, his symptoms disappeared. They eventually came back but at a much lower level.
Since then, we have heard from a number of other readers who have reported reduced RLS symptoms after vaccination. On the other hand, Japanese doctors report one case of RLS developing in an 87-year-old woman after getting the Pfizer vaccine (Neurology and Clinical Neuroscience, May 2022). So far, we have no scientific explanation for this effect.
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In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”
(c) 2023 King Features Syndicate, Inc.
