Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

• Feelings of tingling, creeping, pulling, prickling, "pins and needles," or pain in the legs during periods of rest or inactivity—may also be this feeling in the arms.
• Symptoms typically get worse at night
• A strong urge to relieve these uncomfortable feelings with movement
• Restlessness, including floor pacing, tossing and turning in bed, and rubbing the legs
• Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep
• Hypersomnia—recurrent episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness or prolonged nighttime sleep

Symptoms may begin at any age. But, they are most common in people older than 60 years old. Symptoms usually increase in the evening and during times of rest, relaxation, or inactivity.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will also do a physical and neurologic exam. The diagnosis is based mainly on your symptoms. There is no specific test for RLS. But, tests to check for conditions that may trigger RLS include:

• Blood tests to check iron levels and the functioning of the kidneys
• Monitoring of leg activity during sleep ("sleep study", polysomnogram [PSG])
• Study of leg muscles, such as electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies

Nerves of the Leg

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