Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is described by sufferers using various expressions.  People may describe creep-crawly, itching, pulling, worm- like sensations, primarily in the legs (but occasionally in the arms and trunk). However they are described, these sensations have the following important features:

• Symptoms are worse or exclusively present when the sufferer is resting or inactive.
• The symptoms are worse in the evening and at night.
• The symptoms are relieved by movement or exercise.
• The sensations are associated with restlessness ( movement of the toes, feet or legs) and involuntary movements or twitches when asleep.

The discomfort is often severe causing sufferers to adopt unusual coping strategies. These are sometimes extreme such as walking on a treadmill whilst watching a favourite TV program..

Sufferers often have difficulty falling asleep and may have interrupted sleep. Unrefreshing sleep is usually associated with RLS, and daytime sleepiness may be a problem for sufferers.