Henry Waxman Schooled On Restless Leg Syndrome (VIDEO)

As you may have heard, California Rep. Henry Waxman was released recently from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, having been admitted after fainting in his L.A. office. Waxman is on the mend, and we're glad he's doing okay. Sadly, the news is not so good for one of Waxman's health care reform talking points, which expired quietly on the air on C-SPAN's Washington Journal.

Seeking to make a point about pharmaceutical companies and how their relentless advertising places all sorts of free-range diagnoses into viewers' heads, Waxman attempted to use his own experience in the hospital, and a joke about "restless leg syndrome." Waxman was of the mind that he was talking about a pretend-disease. That did not go well!"

WAXMAN: Somebody said, "Why is your knee jerking?" And I thought I was making a joke, and I said, "Well, I have restless leg syndrome." Now, I don't think there is such a thing as restless leg syndrome. I'll probably hear from all those people who have it. But I thought that restless leg syndrome was a disease that was created by a drug company that wanted to sell a drug for the disease they had created. And I was making a joke. Well, when I got out of the hospital, I looked at my record, it said, "He claims to have restless leg syndrome." Well, I don't know if there is such a thing or not. I don't have it. But a lot of people start thinking they have medical problems because they've seen too many of these commercials. I don't think that's doing the public a lot of good. It's certainly making the drug companies richer, but it's not doing a lot of good for the public.

HOST: Let's hear from Scott on the Independent line, from Greenbackville, Virginia.

SCOTT: Uh, yes. Representative Waxman, good morning. As someone who does have restless leg syndrome...

WAXMAN: [Laughter]

SCOTT: ...I can tell you that it does exist.

WAXMAN: It does exist.

SCOTT: Oh, absolutely. It's a terrible thing. I had achieved that through a back injury.

Story continues below

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[WATCH]

SCHOOLED! Though it's worth pointing out that none of this changes how annoying those pharmaceutical commercials are, with their trippy cartoons and packs of wizened old men celebrating their boners in song and that one for Yaz that HuffPost Comedy Editor Alex Leo hates because of the terrible, awkward set up to a strained conversation about side-effects.

[WATCH]

Waxman's restless leg syndrome talking point died peacefully, and was probably survived by a bunch of talking points on the over-prescription of selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors.

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Comments

[lunchlady]

Without my meds I would be totally miserable and sleep deprived. Uncontrolled RLS leads to all sorts of problems, including suicide. It is frustrating to deal with, partially because of the lack of research and information available. That is slowly improving but lots of people out there don't know what's wrong with them; and the name itself trivializes it. The problem is how the legs FEEL, which is usually relieved by movement, which doesn't allow you to fall asleep. You can try and hold your legs still but it is unbearable within seconds. Strategies beside meds help a little but I am resigned to being dependent on my meds for the rest of my life.

I like the ads because they help undiagnosed or untreated people find out they can get some relief.

[SwimToCenter]

I've had it since I was a kid and had no name for it until I saw the DrugCo ads.(score (1) for public education). I used to have my brother lie across my legs to "hold them down" when I was like 8 years old. I understand Scandinavian genetics lend themselves to this disorder?

However, I think it unfortunate that Waxman's point about "iatrogenic illness" brought on by DrugCo's proselytizing / marketing was obscured by his misapprehension of RLS (DrugCo score (-50) for public manipulation in the name of profits) . Fortunately, my RLS comes and goes and exercise seems to help. I would absolutely try supplements before DrugCo toxins with unknown long term side effects. Thanks to those who posted info about supplements...I may go that route if things worsen.

[onepotatotwopotato]

RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) is not joke. Just ask former Idaho Senator Larry (wide stance) Craig!
He lost his job due to an unfortunate attack of RLS in the men's room at the airport.

[spinns17]

lol

[6925thCobras]

I don't think they were talking about that leg.

[donheld]

I've had restless leg syndrome long before it was talked about and it's not at all pleasant. Henry Waxman needs to listen to those of us that have the syndrome. He'd learn a lot. I distrust the medical establishment too, but on this I have personal knowledge.

[BushSmahers]

There was a point in there, anybody want to comment on that? In Canada, pharmaceuticals, tobaco and booze companies are not allowed to advertise in any media. Our Supreme court agrees it"s fair regulation to protect society. In America everything is called free speech. Frankly I would not want that constitution you are so proud of.

[lochnessmonster]

I don't know when it changed but I thought that until sometime in the 90's it was illegal or at least unseemly to advertise drugs. I'm sick of the ads and if the drugs are that good for you your doctor will already know about them.

[lvogt]

Restless leg is real and it's a drag. It completely messes up your sleep. Fortunately, mine is sporadic and sometimes only annoying but sometimes I think I could put a hole in the wall.

[chlllfactor]

I also have restless leg syndrome - so badly that it bothered my sleep at night and any time I sat and tried to relax, my legs jerk all over the place. Restless leg syndrome is no laughing matter. My symptoms got so bad that I finally ended up on medication so I can sleep at night. People who make fun of something they know nothng about irritate me to no end.

[Anastasia]

It is real and can be treated by adding extra magnesium, calcium and potassium to your diet.

http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/23/126.cfm

[incognito-ergo-sum]

The B complex, calcium, magnesium and B-12 have pretty much saved my sanity. Not sleeping night after night can make anyone a loon.

I take a magnesium supplement, one calcium, one B complex, and as much b-12 as I need. Eventually the B12 kicks in and the relief is enough to make me cry.

[lochnessmonster]

I am glad to see others are trying the supplemental way. My doctor kept trying to get me on one of those drugs for osteoporosis. Maybe I am just lucky and it worked for me but, I have been taking a supplement and two years later, my bones have improved without the scary pharmaceuticals. And at a fraction of the cost of the prescription drug. I also think I surprised my doctor, when we discussed my results, he made no mention of writing me a prescription this time.

[RebaG]

Sounds like you might also have periodic leg movement disorder (PLMD). Many people who have RLS also have PLMD. With PLMD sudden pains (feels like a shot of electricity) run from your hip or knees down to the foot and cause the foot to flex violently. Sometimes violently enough to cause the whole leg to kick out. PLMD, like RLS, is a neurological disorder. Unlike RLS, it oftentimes doesn't happen until after you've fallen asleep and the jerking/kicking wakes you up. In which case you don't feel the pain/shock, but your sleep partner might! My husband has had a few bruises over the years.

[Kevins]

I had it for years, and I think it was associated with diabetic neuropathy, because when I got my diabetes under control it went away. At the time, though, I thought it had to do with circulation, because the leg 'movement' was more like an effort to stretch or get blood moving through the large joints--it also affected my elbows sometimes, but it was essentially a feeling that nervous energy was building up in my legs and needed to be released--­especially in bursts or with a lot of muscular force--to dissipate it. It helped to sleep on the floor because I ended up thrashing around quite a bit. Having to stay immobile on planes was really horrible; I would end up pacing the plane for entire international flights. Also, cold seemed to help it--maybe it deadened the nerve response?
I got a prescription for Requip, but never took it as my symptoms disappeared right at that time (along with my diabetes symptoms).

[LeeCalif]

I agree. My Mother who was diabetic always was moving her legs back and forth (sideways).

[Joe Caps]

I am really the only one to notice the irony of Waxman being critical of made-up science?

Gee I wish he was demanding for scientific proof when it comes to Climate Change.

What gives Waxman?

[LeeCalif]

yawn.

I ran into your clone today. He felt I was gullible for reading the media and listening to scientists.

[soupson52]

Talkin' about that EPA guy? He is an economist. Score one for Waxman.

[tiredofthesameoldstuff]

Plus the economist wasn't even asked to do the paper. It's not his field nor was the guy qualified to do it. That gets you a rejection slip in the scientific community.

[3dtrix]

Lifeguards are instructed to approach those in distress in the water with caution, lest they too be drowned. Those who are trying to save this planet from man-made climate disaster will just have to save the environment of your unfortunate spawn without your cooperation, it appears - they might thank those who labor on their behalf - you obviously never will...

[econ1]

I think this points out an issue for single payer that hasn't been widely addressed, which is that for health issue that effect a small portion of the population it is going to be more difficult to get new treatments.

Instead of convincing an insurer or two to cover a new drug or device (several cover treatments for RLS), we are going to have to convince Congress.

[vinny]

yep

[goto]

It is obvious these people ( Obama and Congress) know nothing about health care .They are going to reform our present system but they do not understand it;before you are able to fix something you have to have a basic understanding of how that something works!Otherwise you will end up like the child who takes apart his toy and is left with many pieces unable to put it back together ,then cries for the broken toy.
Yes ,the system has problems.Fix those,improve what we have.Do not destroy it.
Healthcare is not an experiment.It is life and death ,as simple as that.Keep these idiots away!
They will keep their golden federal health insurance and the majority of people will end with Medicaid for all.Not good!

[retreadite]

They stopped the video too soon. Did Waxman apologize or did he continue to belittle the caller?

[Octoberluna]

I've had restless leg syndrome since I was a child and in the forty years since the onset of symptoms ("restlessness " in my legs!!!!) I have only recently begun to see specific meds advertised for it - I am aggravated by those who have now decided it's just a made up thing to sell more drugs - if you had it you'd know it.

I remember telling my mom (a nurse) that my legs felt weird and "restless" and she told me that was exactly the name of the weirdness and there wasn't much that could be done except trying to be more relaxed - ha - I still have it but there is no way in hell I would ever take a med for it - especially one that causes more sideeffects than just dealing with the squiggly feeling in my knees.

[chlllfactor]

My doctor prescribed Mirapex, twice a day, for my restless leg syndrome. It has brought me such relief it is unbellevable!

[lmvd3]

Agreed! It is a terrible disorder, and causes tremendous pain, discomfort, and incredible exhaustion. I've had it as long as I can remember, quite severely, and take Carbidopa/Levidopa. I'm not one to take medicine, but this stuff is a miracle drug if there ever was one. I am no longer exhausted, feeling like I was run over a truck, with extremely painful, stiff legs every morning. I often felt jolts of "electricity" shooting down my legs, leg muscular pain, leg weakness, and the strange sensation that there were air bubbles constantly going through my leg veins. There is also the constant compulsion to move the legs/ankles to make the relentless pain and strange sensations go away. Now, I not only sleep through the night without movement or pain, but I hop out of bed and start my day, with no side effects, no pain, and sensations that are so minimal, they can be ignored. I personally am thankful that these drugs were developed because it has boosted my quality of life tremendously. I hate, hate the pharmaceutical companies, but I have them to reluctantly give them credit on this one.

[DawnK]

His point is correct. All those pharmaceutical commericals end with "Ask your doctor if such and such is right for you." They don't even tell you what the damn drug is for half the time. I know people who see these commericals and run for the drugs. You don't feel comfortable in a social situation, just pop a paxil, your legs are restless, have a pill. It's complete BS.

[chlllfactor]

Are you always this much of a nutcake or is today a special day? Restlless leg syndrome is real and it is horrible. Go crawl back into you hole and shut up about something you know nothing about,.

[lmvd3]

Oh, its DEFINITELY NOT B.S. And you should be very thankful you don't have the disorder.

[lainey]

What would we all do without medication? It is a mad dash for a vaccine for swine flu by the public right now. Was it made up? Would all of you want Tamiflu right now if you had? Certainly you would. People, think through this. We are a society built on capitalism. It costs billions of dollars to make drugs that nearly every single person in this country takes at some point or the other. If you did your research, you would note that PhRma is a small percentage of the overall health care costs; they give samples, offer rebates worth thousands of dollars and are regulated to death. In fact, it is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the country. Should you find the commercial offensive, turn the channel. If you don't have the condition, go to the fridge. In the meantime, remember that scientists and others are trying to save people's lives and must spend billions of dollars doing so. It is easy to scapegoat meds, but they save people's lives. And most important, if you don't want to take any, don't. If you don't want to watch the commercials, don't. It is your right.