Symptoms of Restless Leg Syndrome

a. Unpleasant Feelings

"An urge to move, usually due to uncomfortable sensations that occur primarily in the legs."

The urge to move the legs usually is due to unpleasant feelings in the legs. People with RLS describe these feelings as:

Creeping
Crawling
Pulling
Itching
Tingling
Burning
Aching
Painful
Hard to describe

b. Children may describe RLS symptoms differently from adults.

"Motor restlessness, expressed as activity, that relieves the urge to move."

RLS gets its name from the urge to move the legs when sitting or lying down. This urge is due to unpleasant feelings in the legs that are relieved by movement. Typical movements are:

Pacing and walking
Jiggling the legs
Stretching and flexing
Tossing and turning
Rubbing the legs

c. Worsening of symptoms at rest

"Worsening of symptoms by relaxation."

The unpleasant feelings in RLS usually occur in the lower leg (calf). But the feelings can occur at any place between the thigh and the ankle and also in the arm. The feelings are worse when lying down or sitting for a long period of time.

d. Worsening of symptoms in the evening or night

"Variability over the course of the day-night cycle, with symptoms worse in the evening and early in the night."

Most people find the symptoms to be less noticeable during the day and more pronounced in the evening or at night, especially during the onset of sleep. For many people, the symptoms disappear by early morning, allowing for more refreshing sleep at that time.

Effects of Restless Leg Syndrome

RLS can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. People with RLS often don’t get enough sleep and may feel tired and sleepy during the day. This can make it difficult to: