"Growing Pains" - Signs and Symptoms of RLS in Children

At the Foundation, we often receive calls from people with restless legs syndrome who first identified their symptoms as young children. Many of them say their children and grandchildren are also plagued with this devastating disease.

An estimated 1.5 million children and adolescents in the United States are afflicted by RLS, yet many are not diagnosed until adulthood (if at all), their symptoms being attributed to "growing pains." In fact, roughly 35 percent of RLS sufferers report experiencing symptoms prior to the age of 20. One in ten report RLS during the first decade of life.*

It wasn't until 2007 that groundbreaking research partially funded by the RLS Foundation confirmed what so many had been wondering - RLS runs in families. Dr. David Rye confirmed this genetic component by discovering the first gene variant that contributed substantially to the risk for RLS. Today, PubMed lists over 40 articles discussing genetic risk factors for RLS.

Unfortunately, RLS is still not widely recognized. Oftentimes, these children are misdiagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), labeled as the “problem child” in the classroom or otherwise wrongly punished for a disease that is misunderstood.

Children are among the most vulnerable in society, and those with RLS need a support system that caters to their needs. The Foundation has resources available on our website for both kids and their parents, including the brand new children's booklet, The Adventures of Patty Pillow. This publication, geared towards children between the ages of 7 and 12, teaches kids how to cope with RLS, while not taking away from who they are and what they love.

Additionally, the Foundation has just released its newest publication, the Children & RLS brochure. This brochure provides critical information to healthcare providers concerning the treatment of RLS in kids, and has experts weigh in on RLS and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder in children and adolescents. This and other publications can be access in the Members Only section of our website.

For more information about RLS and your child, call 512-366-9109 or email us. You are not alone!

*Walters AS, Hickey K, Maltzman J et al. A questionnaire study of 138 patients with restless legs syndrome: the ‘Night-Walkers’ survey. Neurology 1996;46:92-5.

*Montplaisir J, Boucher S, Poirier G, Lavigne G, Lapierre O, Lesperance P. Clinical, polysomnographic, and genetic characteristics of restless legs syndrome: a study of 133 patients diagnosed with new standard criteria. Mov Disord 1997;12:61-5.

We Raised $30,000!

In  2015 the RLS Foundation decided to allocate the final days of the year to a fundraising challenge - a dollar-for-dollar donation match. This year we surpassed our challenge, thanks to the generosity of our donors in their year-end giving.

A group of anonymous donors provided us with an incredible gift - a match of $15,000! Thus, all donations to the RLS Foundation from Dec. 28 through Jan. 1 were matched dollar-for-dollar up to that amount.

And how did we do? We received donations from 84 generous individuals , including $15,000 in matching funds, to raise a total of $33,125 in just five days!

The RLS Foundation is working to build greater public awareness and understanding about restless legs syndrome, to serve as a resource for people with RLS, and to fund medical research aimed at finding a cure. All proceeds from this unbelievable match will be put towards accomplishing our goals, and providing the RLS community support as the trusted source of information.


You make our success possible, and we couldn't be more grateful. Thank you and happy new year!

Meet the New SGLs of 2016: The Foundation Welcomes Four Volunteers

At the heart of the RLS Foundation community is a network of volunteer support group leaders who give time, knowledge and a compassionate ear to others who struggle with RLS. Roughly 80 individuals across the U.S. and Canada provide support through face-to-face meetings, phone calls and the Foundation’s online discussion board.

The RLS Foundation is pleased to welcome four new support group leaders this past year! Read more about Karen, Charlotte, Bob and Sheila in their testimonials below. To all who volunteer with the Foundation, we thank you!

Shiela Richards (Ventura/San Fernando Valley, California)

What does “insidious onset” mean? Why am I having this excruciating pain within 5-15 minutes after I get into bed but I don’t have the pain during the day? Is this related to the plantar fasciitis that I have had for the past 6 years? The pain is keeping me up at night, I am walking the floors and stretching to get some relief from my pain which is a 15 on a 1-10 pain scale and I can’t remember my passwords at work because I am so exhausted!!! Oh yes, peanut butter has become my comfort food at 1:15 a.m.

This is where I was approximately 3 years ago when my symptoms of excruciating pain in my legs, sleepless nights, mood swings, exhaustion without being able to sleep and forgetfulness began. After trying to remedy the symptoms myself with over the counter meds and supplements, exercising more, then exercising less, I began searching for “a diagnosis” so that I could get “a cure or just relief”.

I started with my internist who did blood work, which led to an endocrinologist for Graves’ disease (Hyperthyroidism) which could cause leg pain. Blood work also showed low Ferritin (iron storage) and Hemoglobin which resulted in a visit to a gastroenterologist who ruled out internal bleeding and resulted in a nightly dose of iron. Next was a visit to a neurologist for an EMG to rule out any issues coming from my low back. Negative!!! Lastly, I was referred to Dr. Ronald Popper who is a Sleep Disorders Specialist in Thousand Oaks, Ca who understands RLS and has helped me tremendously with simple remedies so that I can sleep 7-8 hours/night, control my nighttime pain and regain my happiness and optimism.

My personal life was also being affected by this “insidious onset” of pain. My husband tried to be understanding and was concerned when the Ambien that I was taking was helping with the pain and sleep but was making me into a person that he didn’t know anymore. My mother thought I was exercising too much and not understanding that exercise had always been “my therapy” in the past. My social life was affected because I was too tired to make plans for any social get together beyond a few hours.

My husband refers to me as “the cheerleader” because I have a talent of offering a listening ear to others, coming up with a “plan” and helping to implement “the plan”. I felt that I was changing and I desperately needed “support” of my own. I contacted the RLS foundation to learn that there wasn’t a support group from Long Beach to Santa Barbara (approx. 97 miles). This is when I realized that if I need support, then there are other people within 97 miles that could benefit from a support group that understands the symptoms, can talk about them freely and can help each other with direction and eventually successes. After I was accepted by the RLS Foundation as a group support leader I connected with Caroline Chamales who is the group support leader in San Diego and attended her support group which met at Scripps in La Jolla. I walked out of the 1 ½ hour meeting feeling energized and hopeful.

Not only did I learn a tremendous amount about RLS presented by a neurologist and sleep disorders specialist but I met some extraordinary members of the population that suffer with RLS and some of their family and friends who came to show support. The experiences that I had for 3 years were nothing compared to those that had been suffering for possibly 10, 20, 30 and yes 40 years but were determined to find relief and eventually a cure for RLS.

I am thankful to Chiara at the RLS Foundation for giving me the opportunity to gather a group of people together who experience RLS with Medical professionals who understand the life changing symptoms and treatments for RLS. There was a reason that Caroline Chamales came into my life at the right time to share her positive experiences with the RLS Foundation and their outreach program.

Karen Rodier (Ashburn, Virginia)

I first attended a restless legs syndrome (RLS) support group about two years ago while living in Pennsylvania. I traveled over an hour each way to join the group to learn more about my disease. I was impressed with the other participants and the leader’s commitment. I decided then that I wanted to try to bring together people with RLS once we settled in Virginia.

Several months later in Virginia, two women attended the first support group meeting I held. Neither of these women had ever spoken with anyone else with RLS, despite having suffered with RLS for many years. During the meeting, we briefly discussed our RLS journeys, shared tips we had learned, and heard an educational program on augmentation developed by the Foundation.

The meeting was not about me, the person/leader, but about the group’s interest in people with RLS and the Foundation’s commitment to bringing individuals together so that no one feels alone. We are all trying to manage our conditions the best we can.

Meeting others with RLS is an important way to give ourselves the gift of time, talk with others and examine new strategies to try. As a restless legs syndrome support group leader, I don’t have all the answers, but I know whom to call and how to direct participants to the many written and online resources at the Foundation. My hope is to offer more support group meetings in my area so that individuals with restless legs syndrome will know, “You are not alone”!

Bob Harnett (Chicago, Illinois)

I had always had trouble falling asleep and every once in a while I would find myself tossing and turning trying to get comfortable in bed. However about five years ago my symptoms got much worse. My doctor suggested I take a sleep study, which I did and the results showed that I suffered from sleep apnea, insomnia and restless legs syndrome (RLS).

My reaction was WOW three strikes, and then I thought OK well what do I need to do to get cured? Like a lot of people I then found out how little is known about sleep disorders and that there are no cures. But there are ways to manage each of these aliments.

For me I find that my RLS symptoms are by far the worst impediment to falling asleep and the problem I worked on the most with my doctor to manage.

Since we live in the internet age I began searching for information related to RLS and that is when I came across the RLS Foundation website and began to learn more about RLS from a reputable source.

When first diagnosed I think people tend to think they are the only ones with a particular problem, so just knowing that there is a support group available is reassuring. I found that the RLS Foundation was providing useful information that was matching the information I was receiving from my doctor. Some of the information I was finding on the WEB was not as helpful.

I had seen in the NightWalkers newsletter that there were actual support groups that held meetings and provided information and support for those who suffer from RLS. Since I live in the Chicago metropolitan area I was surprised to find out that there was not a group anywhere near where I lived.

I had thought about volunteering to become a support group leader a few years ago, but then I got busy with other things and did not fill out the application, I guess I figured well someone else will do this. This year I found out that, “no one else” had started a group in my area, and I thought well why not me? I filled out the application, and met (via the phone) the staff at the RLS Foundation. I also contacted my doctor to get his input into the idea of starting a RLS support group.

Both the RLS foundation and my doctor’s office were enthusiastic about getting a group started in the Chicago area.

I have done so other volunteer work and I have always believed that volunteering is more about supporting the organizations goals and objectives and not being the star of the show. I’d much rather be the guy who supports the guy who’s the star and not the star myself. With that in mind I think of my role as the volunteer support group leader as the facilitator for the group. I can make so calls, setup a room, set out pamphlets, and let people know about the resources available through the RLS Foundation’s website.

Charlotte Slack (Austin, Texas)

My husband has suffered from RLS since he was a child. Our daughter also has RLS, and I very much want to help them and others in dealing with this insidious disease. I can’t say how many times we have stopped on the side of the road while one or both of them had to get out to walk around. NightWalkers is the perfect name for the RLS Foundation newsletter, as that’s what many RLS sufferers do. Sometimes my husband walks more than he sleeps.

A support group is like any other gathering of people with common interests. People gather for book clubs, exercise classes, bridge, wine collecting, politics, etc. For people with restless legs syndrome, a support group offers the opportunity to be with others who share this disease. Knowing we’re not alone can be amazingly uplifting. We’ll hopefully share common issues and learn what remedies work or don’t work. Our family has been part of support groups for two other diseases, and we know how valuable they are to our spirits.

As a child, my husband’s parents took him to the doctor about the pains in his legs. The doctor said they were “growing pains” and he would be fine. He never was. Some years ago, he was driving while listening to a call-in show on the radio. He wasn’t paying much attention to the show until he heard the words “restless legs syndrome.” He nearly wrecked. For the first time, he knew that his condition had a name and that others had the same thing. He saw his doctor, who did believe him and referred him to a neurologist.

Managing RLS is a constant balancing act, but simply knowing he has a recognized disease gives him hope. The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation is our go-to source for reliable information. That’s how we learned about support groups!

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We are always looking to expand our volunteer network, and to provide integral support and counsel to those in underserved areas. If you are interested in applying to become a support group leader, here are the steps:

1. Learn more about the role by viewing the support group leader description.  
2. Submit an application! 
3. The Foundation will send references a brief questionnaire.
4. Once reference questionnaires are returned, a volunteer manual is provided and a phone interview is scheduled.
5. You then plan your first meeting with the support from the Foundation!

Please send your completed application to:

Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation

Attn: Chiara Corey

3006 Bee Caves Road, Suite D206

Austin, Texas

78746

Or email Chiara@rls.org with your application form.

Awareness and Education

The RLS Foundation Surpasses Goals for the Year

Nearly 25 years ago, the Foundation began as a tiny group of dedicated individuals meeting around a kitchen table in Raleigh, North Carolina. We grew to become a bustling organization located in Austin, Texas, with an expansive network of nearly 5,000 dedicated members.

Since its inception, the Foundation has provided over $1.6 million in support of RLS research, and we are still the leading organization for science-based education and patient services for those suffering from RLS.

Just consider what we have accomplished over the past 12 months alone:

1. Certified five additional RLS Quality Care Centers

2. Reinvigorated our research grant program by committing to award up to eight new pilot grants totaling $200,000

3. Developed a teen guide and children’s booklet to help our youth manage the challenges of RLS

4. Created a multidisciplinary Scientific and Medical Advisory Board

5. Launched research into the economic impact of RLS and its treatment

6. Rolled out a far-reaching Year of Augmentation awareness and education program – distributing and promoting an augmentation white paper research summary to nearly 50,000 healthcare providers

The Foundation also created a support group leader "RLS and Augmentation" tool kit, and released our RLS and Augmentation video, which has already been watched by thousands.



The Foundation has also been active in educating the medical community this year by attending SLEEP, a joint meeting of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society, in Denver, Colorado. We were also present in November at the annual conference for the Society of Neuroscience in San Diego. Both events attract thousands of researchers and healthcare providers that are eager to learn more about RLS and other sleep disorders.


We are so proud of all we have accomplished this year on behalf of the RLS community, but we could not have done any of it without the generous donations given by both members and nonmembers alike. Together, we have hit incredible milestones - big achievements executed by a small staff and a network of dedicated volunteers.

To everyone who has helped us get to where we are, we thank you!

Promoting Awareness – One Gift Membership at a Time

By Barbara Faraone

When long-time RLS Foundation member Barbara Faraone sees the need for education, she takes action! In the past several years, Barbara has purchased over 25 RLS Foundation gift memberships for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, hospital administrators and others to promote education and awareness about RLS. At the RLS Foundation, we are extremely grateful to individuals like Barbara who use whatever creative means they have to raise awareness for RLS. Barbara, thank you for making a difference – you are truly an RLS hero!

I’m a 79-year-old grandmother who has suffered with restless legs since at least 18 years old, although I suffered from leg pains (or as the doctors used to say, “growing pains”) from a very young age. I remember going to high school and being so glad that classes were only 45 minutes long. I would always try to sit in the back of the room, as I was always moving about. I was often asked why I never sat still. I never really had an answer for people, but thought it was just me.

Even going to college, my place was always in the back of the room; it was just plain uncomfortable to sit, and I preferred to stand. Thus, standing in the back of the room was enjoyable for me.

I became a teacher of third grade, and that suited me just fine. I never sat at my desk. I was always about the room with my children, working on projects or just tutoring one-to-one, thus walking a lot. With age came marriage and two children. This, too, was always an active time for me. It was during this time that I began to notice that sleeping with covers over my legs was not good for me. The pressure of blankets just made my kicking in bed worse. I was never one to cuddle in bed, as the legs would not stay still. I did not know what to do to stop this kicking, and it was not welcome to my husband, as you can imagine.

As years followed, I found myself being awake for many nights and often going from bed to couch to floor. I tried sleeping with my back on the floor and legs up on the wall or the back of the sofa. I tried hot baths, warm milk, Bengay, soap under the mattress, and any other odd suggested thing to try, of which there were many. I must say that a scotch and water would often calm them during the evening, but it did not last through the night.

I soon learned to exist on three to four hours of sleep and sometimes an afternoon nap. I just figured it was something I had to live with. I might add that I had all the muscle and nerve tests done over a period of years, but nothing seemed to show up wrong.

Doctors were of no help until my general practitioner went to a lecture about RLS at the local hospital. When he came back from this, we started in on the approved medicines available at the time. That was some 20 years ago. Since then, I have tried them all in many combinations. They would seem to work, but within a short time I was right back to my old self of discomfort most of the night. When the discomfort turned to pain, I began the treatment of painkillers. Yes, they worked, but got to be an all-day thing. And oh my, what it did to my system and mind. This was awful. I had to come off them.

I went to an RLS meeting in San Antonio and met the folks there. With their help, I made contact with a specialist at an institution that is now a certified RLS Quality Care Center. I call him my “savior,” as with his help and methadone, I do sleep, and my life is somewhat normal – or what I think of as normal. My legs are not really still during the day, but my friends have gotten used to me always moving. Thank goodness for friends.

My legs hurt most of the day, but during the night they are quiet enough that wherever I fall asleep, I sleep – whether it be in bed or on the couch.

Now, I have asked for years, what can I do for others who have RLS? Yes, I can contribute to the RLS Foundation, and it does help, especially in research. But I feel that I need to do something more to help educate medical providers.

So … I have been buying RLS Foundation memberships for all the doctors I meet in the hopes they will read NightWalkers and maybe learn something. Maybe they will believe what I say to them.

For example, I found a local hospital was advertising that they treated RLS. I went to see the doctor, only to find out he knew nothing of RLS. In fact, he called my druggist, as he thought I was addicted and needed help, and had no idea the uses for methadone. My druggist, who has a subscription to NightWalkers, gave him a 15-minute lecture as to the uses of methadone. I had the RLS Foundation send the doctor and hospital administrator a gift membership with information about RLS and a copy of NightWalkers.

I think my count of current gift memberships is up to something like 12 doctors and hospital administrators, and then I add friends or nurses or whomever needs an education about RLS. Has it made a difference? I don’t know, but I do know they are getting the correct information, and this can only help in the future.

An excerpt from the Summer 2016 edition of NightWalkers, the Foundation's quarterly magazine. Become a member today to receive this and other member benefits!

Tips for Extended Journeys

Strategies to Try for the Long Haul

Sitting for long periods of time can exacerbate RLS symptoms, especially when traveling by plane or car. If you know that you are going to be traveling with little space or time to stretch your legs, try some of these helpful tips:

Many RLS sufferers also avoid any triggers that may exacerbate their symptoms, like caffeine or alcohol. For more information on lifestyle choices that can help with your RLS symptoms, visit our website.

If you are driving, try to make stops to stretch your legs and walk around. When flying, it's always good to let the flight attendant know about your RLS, and ask if you can stand in certain areas without disturbing others during the journey. Booking seats in first class or emergency exit rows will also typically provide more leg room. Want to request a special accommodations card? The Foundation has a card available to share with flight attendants, drivers, healthcare providers, or others that may need additional information about your RLS. Become a member today to receive this and many other member benefits!

For additional strategies to try, check out this Buzzfeed article. Have safe and happy holiday travels, everybody!

You Are Not Alone

An Online Community Available 24/7

With the stress that the holidays can bring, it's a comfort to know that you are not alone in your struggles with RLS. The RLS Foundation's discussion board provides an avenue for individuals to post anonymously about their symptoms, treatments and other coping strategies. It is a supportive, hopeful environment for those who are looking to share their RLS stories with others who know exactly what they're going through.

The discussion board is run by five Foundation volunteers who serve as moderators. Topic areas currently include:

Physical Treatments
Non-drug therapies (methods of relief that don't involve swallowing or injecting anything), including compression, heat, light, stretches, acupuncture, etc.

Non-prescription Medicines, Supplements, Diet
Substances that are ingested, inhaled, or otherwise consumed for the purpose of relieving RLS, other than prescription medications. For example, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, diet, kratom, and marijuana (for now) should be discussed here. Tell others of successes, failures, side effects, and any known research on these substances.

Prescription Medications
Prescription drugs, iron injections, and other medical interventions that involve the introduction of a drug or medicine into the body. Discuss side effects, successes, failures, published research, information about drug trials, and information about new medications being developed.

Topic of the Year: Augmentation
The topic of the year 2015 for the RLS Foundation is Augmentation. Use this forum to discuss any issues associated with Augmentation

Special Populations: Pediatric, Pregnancy, Secondary, etc.
RLS occurs more frequently in certain populations, including people with end-stage renal disease, women during pregnancy, and people with iron deficiency. RLS in the elderly and children brings other challenges. Sharing your experiences may be extraordinarily helpful to others.

Help for Relationships
Share how living with this disease can and does impact your relationships. How do you cope? What questions to you have?

General Topics
For everything and anything else not covered in the other RLS/WED sections.

Everything Else... Just No RLS!
It's nice to realize that there is life beyond this disease and have an opportunity to get to know our online family in a different context.

To get started, learn more about the simple, free registration here. Questions or concerns? Contact the discussion board moderators at rlsfmods@rlsgroups.org.

Remember posts and information on the discussion board are based on personal experiences and recommendations; they should not be considered a substitute for the advice of a healthcare provider.