Everyday Health: What are the symptoms of RLS? What does it feel like?
Markus Schmidt, MD, PhD: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an irresistible urge to move the legs; it is worse when sitting still and improved when walking or moving the legs. It also tends to get worse in the evening or at bedtime. All patients with RLS have a motor component, which is an irresistible urge to move the legs, and for many there is also a sensory component that may include an ache in the legs or a creepy-crawly sensation that is triggered when sitting for an extended period of time.
Asim Roy, MD: RLS usually occurs only in the evening or before bedtime. If symptoms occur during the day, then typically they are worse at night. Many people describe the sensation as "soda running through their veins."
Helene A. Emsellem, MD: RLS symptoms generally consist of a feeling of restlessness, often in the legs, but this sensation may include the arms as well. The restlessness is usually characterized by what people call a creepy-crawly feeling in the legs, most often the calves. For some people, it is an itchy-like sensation; for others it can just be discomfort. What is most suggestive of RLS is when those symptoms are relieved by movement. Patients often describe a building tension in the legs and a building need to move, to reposition, and that produces relief, but the relief is only transient. The symptoms may recur within 20 seconds or two or three minutes after they are relieved by movement. Everyone’s description of the discomfort associated with RLS is not identical, but the relief by movement is what defines this disorder. For some people, just repositioning the legs may be adequate to relieve symptoms. Others find that they need to get up and walk or pace, soak in a warm tub, or do something else as a distraction in order to be relieved of the symptoms. The symptoms are most likely to occur when people lie down in bed to go to sleep and are resting quietly, whereas while they are up during the day taking care of their daily activities, their legs may not be problematic. Some people do not have symptoms on a nightly basis but may only have symptoms when they are in an enclosed environment like being in a movie theater or on an airplane.
Rubin Naiman, PhD: RLS is characterized by very unpleasant sensations in the legs and sometimes the arms that can range from mild and intermittent to severe and debilitating. Symptoms, which usually occur when sitting or lying down in the evening, include sensations of tingling, aching, heaviness, burning, restlessness, and a strong urge to move or walk. RLS commonly interferes with falling asleep and can also disrupt sleep. RLS, which is a neurological condition, is commonly associated with periodic limb movements - a sleep disorder characterized by involuntary rhythmic twitching or kicking that disrupts sleep.
Merrill S. Wise, MD: RLS causes an irresistible urge to move, often associated with disagreeable sensations in the extremities. The sensations usually occur at night, are worse with rest, and are temporarily relieved by movement. Many individuals with RLS will also experience repetitive leg jerks during sleep known as periodic limb movements. RLS can be associated with difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and in some cases, with daytime sleepiness. It is important to note that RLS can occur in children and adolescents, although it is more common in adults. Children may have difficulty explaining their symptoms, and RLS in children is sometimes attributed to “growing pains.” Recent investigations have pointed to a possible relationship between RLS and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, and this link may even persist into adulthood.
Last Updated: 8/31/2012