In the early morning, people with restless legs syndrome (RLS) find some relief from their symptoms. Nevertheless, RLS often interferes with falling and staying asleep, causing a wide variety of negative effects throughout the day. Fatigue and decreased alertness due to daytime sleep deprivation are constant physical and mental burdens. People with RLS often report mood disturbances and the inability to perform everyday activities, which can affect their jobs, personal relations, and social functioning.

As the day progresses, RLS symptoms become more intense. Watching a movie, sitting through a meeting, or traveling long distances in a car or airplane can become intolerable. Combined with decreased physical functioning, bodily pain, and overall lack of vitality, the constant affliction of RLS symptoms can lead to profound psychological discomfort and a lower quality of life.^{3, 4}

At night, RLS symptoms are their most severe. One of the most daunting aspects of RLS is how difficult it is to fall asleep as a result of the sensations and compelling desire to move when inactive. Additionally, people with RLS will often have disruptions in sleeping caused by periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS), which are repetitive movements occurring during sleep that often result in sleep disturbances. Over 80% of people with RLS experience PLMS.⁵

Have an R.L.S. Real Life Story to share?