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Living with Restless Leg Syndrome

© Tamara Peters

I was diagnosed with Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) in the winter of 1970. Even with my fibro-fogged memory this is a time that I will never forget. Not only was it my first pregnancy, but increasingly my legs were beginning to "bother" me in the evening; so much so that I rubbed something called HEAT on them to relieve the distress. Never, I repeat, Never, continuously rub a product like this into your legs. I awoke several hours later, from a deep sleep, with my legs on fire. Needless to say, I spent the rest of the night sitting up with ice packs on my legs. This would be the reason this incident is so indelibly burned into my memory. At this time the doctor prescribed something, I can't remember what exactly, possibly Klonopin or Valium (comprehensive review of medications used in the treatment of RLS/PLMD) that I took a half hour before bed every night. Whatever it was did the trick though. After the successful delivery of my bouncing baby girl the RLS subsided. I've since learned this is a common occurrence in pregnant women. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH) RLS occurs in about 20% of pregnant women, but usually disappears once the pregnancy is completed. Fast forward five years; my second pregnancy. The RLS returned with a vengeance. It was at this time that I sought the help of a neurologist who could not find any underlying reason for my problems. I was told that it would subside once again when my pregnancy concluded. Not so.. I have been dealing with RLS on and off ever since. I say on and off because very much like fibro, RLS tends to wax and wane, and at times even disappear for varying amounts of time. It wasn't until 1998, while researching fibro, that I even became aware of others out there suffering with this syndrome when I stumbled across the RLS Foundation's website - www.rls.org. It still remains my main source of up-to-date information. So what is RLS and what does it feel like? It depends on who you ask. RLS is a neurological disorder, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, as well as the Restless Leg Sydrome Foundation, that is often classified as a movement disorder. As well, it is very often referred to as a sleep disorder. As you can see, it is a neurological disorder that causes movement that interrupts one's sleep. As stated by the NIH "RLS occurs in both genders, although the incidence may be slightly higher in women." It can begin at any age, even childhood, but usually becomes most evident in middle-age. "In addition, the severity of the disorder appears to increase with age. Older patients experience symtoms more frequently and for longer periods of time". As RLS progresses it can involve other body parts including your arms, torso, and head.

The copyright of the article Living with Restless Leg Syndrome in Fibromyalgia is owned by Cynthia Webber. Permission to republish Living with Restless Leg Syndrome in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.