Do I have restless leg syndrome?. Thanks.

[Gavinsamraj21]

Hi there. I am not sure if you can help. For a couple of months I am not able to sleep with my legs touching as it is too uncomfortable. There is a burning sensation in my thighs, and to some degree in my calves. And this does affect quality of sleep. I have been told in the past that my legs would move involuntarily at night, but am not sure if what I just described may be restless leg syndrome. I do know that there is a degree of anxiety operative, due to the kind of dreams I am having and there is sometimes a strong cramp in my stomach area which I have to relax. Thank-you for any input. Best wishes. Gavin

[LotteM]

Hi Gavin, sorry to read your sleep gets disturbed. Good sleep is the basis for many (good) things.

Regarding restless legs syndrome (RLS) the single most telling aspect is te urge to move. See irlssg.org/diagnostic-crite...

You don't describe that, but you may simply not have mentioned it. What you do describe, involuntary movements waking you up seems more related to periodic legs movements (disorder or during sleep; PLMSD/ PLMS. Some 70% of people with RLS also have PLM. Personally, I only have the urge to move, combined with slight weird sensations in my legs. However, my father (fortunately) only has PLM.

I hope this helps. Do read around a bit more. You'll get an idea a the wide variety of how people describe their RLS. But the urge to move, reduced or even completely relieved by moving about. Squats and yoga stretches help me to make the symptoms bearable when an attack gets through.

[Hidden]

Hi, please do read the diagnostic criteria as Lotte suggests, to give you a better idea.

Based solely on the symptoms you describe, my opinion is that you don't have RLS. I may be wrong, I could say with more certainty if you looked at the criteria and describe to what extent your symptoms match ALL of them.

A possible alternative diagnosis, in your case, could be spinal neuropathy.

My reasons for thinking this is not RLS are because a burning pain and sensitivity to touch are more typical of neuropathy. Also you don't really seem to have an "urge to move". This is not the same as having to move to ease discomfort.

I interpret that what you write means you do NOT have involuntary movements. This may not mean anything one way or the other.

80% of RLS sufferers also have PLMD as Lotte says, but not everybody has it.

However, the main form of PLMD occurs in deep sleep and may not wake you. Thus it may be that you're not aware you have involuntary movements.

The only way you can say for sure is if somebody watches you sleeping, especially during the first 30 - 50 mins.