Troubled with RLS - You're Not the Only One

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Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is known by several names: Wittmaack-Ekbom's Syndrome; Jimmy Legs; LaDuke Legs. Whatever you want to call it, it is a condition that is characterized by an irresistible urge and need to move one's body to stop uncomfortable or odd sensations. Most common are the legs, but can also affect the arms or torso. RLS may start at any age, including early childhood, and is a progressive disease for a certain portion of those of us afflicted. RLS is generally a lifelong condition for which there is no cure.

RLS causes a sensation in the legs with a need for continual movement and generally occurs at night, especially when we are trying to sleep! Movement generally brings immediate relief; however, this relief will often be only temporary and partial. Continuous, fast up-and-down movements of the leg, is often done to keep the sensations at bay without having to walk. Sometimes a specific type of movement will help a person more than another. The sensations are unusual and are unlike any other common sensations, and those with RLS have a hard time describing them. People use words such as -- uncomfortable, "antsy", electrical, creeping, painful, itching, pins and needles, pulling, creepy-crawly, ants inside the  legs, numbness, and many others. It is sometimes described as feeling similar to a limb "falling asleep". 

Learn even more about Restless Leg Syndome

While it may be impossible to describe the sensation to someone without RLS, other RLS sufferers can easily relate to the peculiar sensation. The sensation and the urge can occur in any body part, the most cited location is legs, followed by arms. Some people have little or no sensation, yet still have a strong urge and need to move.

RLS is Classified as Either Primary or Secondary.
    >Primary RLS is considered idiopathic (no known cause). Primary RLS usually begins before approximately 40 to 45 years of age. In primary RLS, the onset is often slow. The RLS may disappear for months, or even years. It is often progressive and gets worse as the person ages. RLS in children is often misdiagnosed as growing pains.

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Secondary RLS often has a sudden onset and may be daily from the very beginning. It often occurs after the age of 40, however it can occur earlier. It is most associated with
specific medical conditions or the use of certain drugs.
 
While the exact cause of RLS is still known, it does appear to be an inherent condition with more than 6o% of the cases due to genetics.  The problem that those of us that have been afflicted with this 'hard-to-explain-malady', there appears to be no real end in sight.  Fortunately, some of us have investigated this 'nuisance' and have been able to alleviate on an on -going basis this lingering problem.


I have had RLS as far back as I can remember, my brother and my son also have it, see here what helped alleviate this problem.

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