Beste Lacnetters, I have a question about restless leg syndrome (RLS). I'll admit that this is coming from the fact that I have it at the moment due to pregnancy, but it has got me thinking about RLS and breastfeeding. About a year ago, I talked to a mother with a newborn who had this syndrome who told me that she was only going to be able to bf for a few months as she would have to go back onto medication to control her symptoms. She was going to start taking a dopamine agonist to control symptoms. At the time I was very naive in regard to medications and breastfeeding, but was able to give her enough info about expressing milk so that she could build up a supply in her freezer. Do dopamine agonists (not including the obvious ergotamine dopamine agonists or levodopa which do decrease milk production) affect milk production? I'm thinking along the lines that domperidone is dopamine antagonist and can increase milk production / effect on prolactin levels. At the time I didn't have the first clue about RLS, but I have recently been reading up on the subject and have not come across any info relating to bf and RLS. It appears that RLS during pregnancy is not uncommon, as is the incidence outside pregnancy. It also seems to affect women more than men. Thus, as it is not an uncommon syndrome, and that it is quite possible that I or other counsellor may come into contact with bf mothers with RLS, I was wondering if any of you lacnetters have experience in helping mothers with RLS? What I have found in the literature is that Metoclopramide and domperidone are dopamine antagonists and can thus cause a worsening of sypmtoms. But does breastfeeding per se effect dopamine levels and thus RLS? I guess that in women with normal dopamine functions then breastfeeding does not bring on RLS. But what happens to women with RLS who breastfeed? Do they experience a worsening of symptoms druing lactation - i.e. does prolactin play a role?? I've checked the lacnet archives but didn't find any direct references to RLS. Just wondering what your exepriences are? In the meantime, the following website (non-commercial) is very good for those interested in RLS: http://www.rls.org (check under "Medical Bulletin" for specific information regarding treatment, diagnosis, incidence etc). Now about to drag my kids out for another bicycle ride - part of my treatment plan! Sara Bernard The Netherlands *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html