1. Leg discomfort

It all starts with a deep, uncomfortable sensation within the legs. Many describe the sensations as tingling, jitteriness, a “creepy crawly” feeling, itching, or pulling. These sensations generally occur within the limb rather than on the skin. Sometimes the sensations seem to defy description. Affected people usually don’t describe the condition as a muscle cramp or numbness. They do, however, consistently describe the desire to move their legs.

2. Urge to Move

The discomfort in the legs is accompanied by a strong, often irresistible urge to move them. Feelings like pulling and itching make the sufferers of RLS want to move their legs endlessly, making it difficult to fall asleep at night. The uncomfortable sensations tend to temporarily get better while moving, stretching, or massaging the legs. Patients report that the feeling of itching and tingling in their legs comes back as soon as they try to rest again.

3. Pulling and  “Fizzy Water”

RLS typically flares up at night, with a pulling sensation in the legs – especially while lying down. When the case is very severe, some of the symptoms might be present during the day but they often worsen towards nightfall. Some patients report that they feel like there is sparkling water going down the blood vessels in their legs.

4. Aching

Normally, leg pain is associated with soreness from participating in a sport or activity, but with RLS, symptoms start or become worse while sitting, relaxing, or trying to rest. The aching sensation typically begins after the sufferer has been lying down or sitting for an extended time, such as in a car, airplane or movie theatre.

5. Restless arms

It is very uncommon that the disease is present only in one leg, and it is usually in both. Some patients also have a related disorder which causes similarly troublesome feelings in their arms.

6. Constant Motion

Because moving the legs (or other affected parts of the body) relieves the discomfort, people with RLS often keep their legs in motion to minimize or prevent the sensations. They may pace the floor, constantly move their legs while sitting, and toss and turn in bed.

7. Periodic Onset

Individuals with mild RLS may have some disruption of sleep onset and minor interference in daytime activities.  In moderately severe cases, symptoms occur only once or twice a week but result in significant delay of sleep onset, with some disruption of daytime function.  In severe cases of RLS, the symptoms occur more than twice a week and result in burdensome interruption of sleep and impairment of daytime function.

8. Night-time Leg Twitching

Many people with restless legs syndrome also have periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), a sleep disorder that involves repetitive cramping or jerking of the legs during sleep. These leg movements further disrupt the sleep and are usually very painful. The characteristic night-time worsening of symptoms in people with restless legs syndrome frequency often leads to insomnia due to the symptoms listed above.