Q: I had a good laugh at the idea of putting soap under the sheet. Five weeks later, I am not laughing anymore.

I have been on Requip for more than four years to treat restless legs syndrome. If I happen to miss taking it, I don't sleep well because my legs are moving so much.

I have been using the soap under my sheet for five weeks now and have had no problems with my RLS at night. It may start to set in while I'm watching TV in the evening, but once I go to bed, it goes away. I can't explain it, but as a very happy soap user, I definitely recommend it!

A: We wish we could explain this strange remedy. Several years ago, we began hearing from readers that putting a bar of soap under the bottom sheet could prevent leg cramps and ease RLS. This remedy does not work for everyone, but it is simple and inexpensive, with no side effects.

For those who would like to know more about remedies for RLS or leg cramps, we offer our Guide to Leg Pain. Please send $2 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (61 cents), self-addressed envelope to: Graedons' People's Pharmacy, No. RLS-5, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 from our Web site: www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q: You recently wrote about sugar for wound healing. I have been in veterinary medicine for 15 years. Several years ago, we had a case of a dog that had been attacked by another dog. After initial surgery to repair wounds, the tissue over the largest area died and sloughed off, leaving nothing to sew back together.

We used sugar for healing. It took daily bandage changes initially and nearly six months of wound care. However, our tough little patient healed beautifully. The sugar did not allow the wound to become infected, and it also drew out extra moisture, which helped the wound to heal.

One thing we discovered was using a hand-held shower head to rinse off the sugar and gently remove the dead tissue, revealing healthy tissue underneath. After the rinse, pat dry with clean towels, pour sugar onto the wound and sprinkle to the edges. Apply nonstick pads and wrap appropriately.

A: Thank you for your story. It is always fascinating to hear from a health professional who has had success with an alternative healing approach.