RLS DOCTOR-VISIT KIT
StormIt Health Field Guide

Bring this kit to a sleep, neurology, or primary-care visit. It is for
preparation only - not diagnosis or treatment advice.

1. Seven-night symptom and trigger diary

For each night, note:
- Day
- Bedtime
- Symptom severity from 0 to 10
- What the sensation felt like
- Possible triggers
- What helped
- Sleep impact

Trigger prompts:
- Caffeine, alcohol, nicotine
- Antihistamines or sleep aids
- Antidepressants
- Anti-nausea or dopamine-blocking medicines
- Long sitting
- Intense late exercise
- Stress

2. Iron studies to ask about

Ask whether your clinician wants morning iron studies:
- Ferritin
- Transferrin saturation (TSAT)

In RLS, iron targets are often higher than ordinary anemia cutoffs.
Ferritin below 100 mcg/L and TSAT below 20 percent are guideline-relevant
to discuss. If your clinician agrees, ask whether to avoid iron-containing
food or supplements for 24 hours before testing.

Do not start high-dose iron on your own; excess iron can be harmful.

3. Medication and supplement list

For each item, write:
- Name
- Dose
- Time taken
- Reason
- Could it worsen RLS?

Include prescriptions, sleep aids, antihistamines, antidepressants,
anti-nausea medicines, iron, magnesium, cannabis/CBD, caffeine, nicotine,
and alcohol.

4. Questions for the appointment

- Does my history fit all five RLS criteria, or could this be cramps,
  neuropathy, arthritis, anxiety, or another sleep disorder?
- Which of my medications or substances could be aggravating symptoms?
- Should iron be corrected first, and what ferritin/TSAT target are we using?
- If medication is needed, how do alpha-2-delta ligands, dopamine agonists,
  and augmentation risks apply to me?
- What should prompt urgent review: symptoms earlier in the day, spreading,
  worsening, or new weakness/numbness/pain?

Article: https://stormit.ca/blog/restless-legs-syndrome-complete-guide
Reviewed against the 2024 AASM treatment shift and the JCSM guideline
published January 1, 2025.