Symptoms

Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome

Symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS) usually occur in the evening or nighttime hours but can occasionally happen in the daytime, such as during long periods of rest, such as in a theater, a long plane ride or car trip.

Legs may also twitch or kick in the evening and people with restless legs syndrome often cannot sleep at night due to the sensation and need to walk around to make their legs comfortable. When asleep, their legs can kick and disturb their own sleep or a bed partner’s sleep.

You should see your physician if:

• You have discomfort in your legs in the evening or night
• You have difficulty sleeping due to leg discomfort or kicking at night
• You need to walk in the night to make your legs comfortable

The primary symptom of RLS is a sensation of discomfort in the legs that often defies description. The feeling is different than leg cramps or numbness from circulation problems. Patients have used the following words to describe this sensation:

• Itchy
• Crawling
• Burning
• Creepy
• Throbbing