# It's real! And it has a name! I'm not crazy! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 22, 2000, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847 "2000-12-22T14:34:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2000, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/1 "2000-12-22T14:34:57Z")
So finally, after years and years of kicking my legs like a maniac, someone casually mentions “Restless Leg Syndrome”. I did some research and I’m 98% sure that I have it (I’ve been known to think things were wrong before, so that’s why I took off 2%) Woohoo! At least now I can put a name to it when people ask “Why do you keep kicking your legs like that???” I feel much better knowing that now. Just had to share. ---
**Author:** ![Spritle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Spritle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spritle)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2000, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/2 "2000-12-22T15:05:33Z")
If you can name it, you can tame it. BTW, describe this kicking. Is it merely a twitch or a violent jerking motion. I ask 'cause the Redskins still need a decent FG kicker!! ---
**Author:** ![Turpentine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecd19e/32.png) [@Turpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2000, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/3 "2000-12-22T15:38:37Z")
Cool, Mr. Goat! you are a guy, right? I have that too! Since 5th grade. What kind of research did you do? Is there a particular cause? And long-term adverse affects? My sorta-boyfriend has this affliction as well, so if we sit together at a show or something and we are both kicking, it must look very foolish to an observer, but maybe it looks cute- like we are made for eachother or something. ---
**Author:** ![c\_goat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@c\_goat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_goat)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2000, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/4 "2000-12-22T15:50:28Z")
I just did a search on google for it. Got a bunch of pages describing it (webmd had one for example) and it’s exactly what happens to me. Check [here](http://onhealth.webmd.com/conditions/resource/conditions/item,474.asp) for some good info. Next time I go to my Dr. I’ll mention it and see what she thinks. It’s not life threatening or anything, merely an annoyance and a discomfort. ---
**Author:** ![Crispy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@Crispy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crispy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2000, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/5 "2000-12-23T07:22:50Z")
When I first read the OP, I was so happy. I felt the same way as you, c\_goat. But, sadly, the description of Restless Leg Syndrome does not fit my affliction. I tend to bounce one or both legs almost every time I sit still. I don’t know why. I just do. They don’t tingle or ache. They just have mind of their own and want to move all the time. I have named it Leg Bouncing Syndrome (LBS). This condition is most common in men, I’ve found. I must be the only woman I’ve ever encountered with LBS. It’s probably ADHD, but it’s more fun inventing a disease than saying you have one that already exists. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2000, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/6 "2000-12-23T15:46:22Z")
If this is what I think it is, I think one of my co-workers has it. Unfortunately, he also favors corduroys, so he can be OBNOXIOUSLY loud at times. (he also chews with his mouth open - a real piece of work when both are going on at once). ---
**Author:** ![Kerrigan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/49beb7/32.png) [@Kerrigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kerrigan)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2000, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/7 "2000-12-23T16:32:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Crispy \* > \*\*I have named it Leg Bouncing Syndrome (LBS). This condition is most common in men, I’ve found. I must be the only woman I’ve ever encountered with LBS. It’s probably ADHD, but it’s more fun inventing a disease than saying you have one that already exists. \*\* Crispy - I do that too! So at least you aren’t the _only_ woman. Usually when I notice my leg(s) bouncing I don’t have a problem with stopping, but then it’s not long before I notice it again. I don’t have ADHD, so maybe it’s just some kind of habit that some people pick up, and others don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Skelji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Skelji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skelji)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2000, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/8 "2000-12-23T18:37:41Z")
I’m always fidgeting my legs, but I think my irritation is confined to my knees. I just get this, I don’t know, _annoying_ feeling in my knees, and I’m always swinging my legs while sitting, or pulling my knees up to my chest and cracking them. ---
**Author:** ![orion007](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@orion007](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/orion007)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2000, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/9 "2000-12-23T20:20:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kerrigan \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Crispy \* > > \*\*I have named it Leg Bouncing Syndrome (LBS). This condition is most common in men, I’ve found. I must be the only woman I’ve ever encountered with LBS. It’s probably ADHD, but it’s more fun inventing a disease than saying you have one that already exists. \*\* > > Crispy - I do that too! So at least you aren’t the _only_ woman. Usually when I notice my leg(s) bouncing I don’t have a problem with stopping, but then it’s not long before I notice it again. I don’t have ADHD, so maybe it’s just some kind of habit that some people pick up, and others don’t. \*\* Yay me too! I’m not alone 🙂 And I’m a girl too. I don’t have ADHD either, it’s just a habit. ---
**Author:** ![hypergirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@hypergirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hypergirl)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2000, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/10 "2000-12-23T20:44:33Z")
Really? I do that too. My leg wouldn’t even stop shaking last night. It was weird. So now I know what to call it. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2000, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/11 "2000-12-23T20:55:34Z")
Putting a name to what ails you is always good. I, myself, found the name to my desease and posted a thread about it. Now, if your leg starts shaking and someone asks you about it, you can tell them “It’s The Syndrome. RLS.” Instead of, “Dunno.” ---
**Author:** ![aha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eada6e/32.png) [@aha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aha)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2000, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/12 "2000-12-23T21:03:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by c\_goat \* > \*\*So finally, after years and years of kicking my legs like a maniac, someone casually mentions “Restless Leg Syndrome”. I did some research and I’m 98% sure that I have it (I’ve been known to think things were wrong before, so that’s why I took off 2%) Woohoo! At least now I can put a name to it when people ask “Why do you keep kicking your legs like that???” I feel much better knowing that now. Just had to share. \*\* c\_goat you should have asked me. I’ve had it for years and years. True classic RLS happens as one is drifing off to sleep. The legs twitch causing the afflicted to wake up. It can be real irritating. Try “hitting” the area that feels the need to move. By that I mean of course a tap but hard enough to remove the feeling. Also put your legs in a “different situation” for a bit by putting them out from underneath the covers for a while. You can also run warm water from the sink over your feet for a minute if it gets bad. Most of these home remedies are designed to take your mind off the twitching and cause your brain to “forget” about making your legs twitch. Other than that not much works unless you want to drug yourself with various tranquilizers on the market today. Good luck and remember it ain’t life threating. ---
**Author:** ![Welfy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e56c9b/32.png) [@Welfy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Welfy)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2000, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/13 "2000-12-23T22:14:05Z")
Constant leg twitcher checking in. Luckily I usually _sit_ on my legs (like at the computer) so they don’t move around as much. ---
**Author:** ![Stoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stoid/32/272_2.png) [@Stoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stoid)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2000, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/14 "2000-12-23T22:22:21Z")
I’ve had it all my life. My mother has it…my neurologist tells me it’s genetic. I have the classic form, it comes up late at night, and my legs don’t do anything by themselves, I’m doing it in a desperate effort to ease the “itch deep inside my knees”. In the last couple of years it has spread to my forearms. Fun, huh? My doc has me on some drug used for Parkinson’s…it works, but it creeps me out. I think I’d rather take tranquilizers. stoid ---
**Author:** ![Kricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f14d63/32.png) [@Kricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kricket)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2000, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/15 "2000-12-24T02:51:00Z")
Thanks alot! I get that sometimes and now that you mentioned it I probably won’t sleep tonite. The power of suggestion! ---
**Author:** ![Cyndar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cyndar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyndar)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2000, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/16 "2000-12-24T15:19:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kricket \* > \*\*Thanks alot! I get that sometimes and now that you mentioned it I probably won’t sleep tonite. > The power of suggestion! \*\* Could be worse, Kricket, we could be talking about pinworms again. 🙂 Michi ---
**Author:** ![Kricket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f14d63/32.png) [@Kricket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kricket)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2000, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/17 "2000-12-25T07:34:38Z")
That is very true! Thanks for pointing that out. Also I remembered that I had heard of this by a different name. Dancing feet syndrome. It usually helps to get up and walk around a bit when it strikes me. And talking about pinworms is as bad as talking about lice. Have you ever been talking about lice and they you get the itchies. Like I said, the power of suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![absoul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@absoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/absoul)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2000, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/18 "2000-12-25T08:01:42Z")
Ohh No, I just had another case of “Restless Fingers Making Me Post Another Pointless Euphamism Generally Sarcatic in a Thread” ---
**Author:** ![absoul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@absoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/absoul)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2000, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/19 "2000-12-25T08:04:29Z")
ooops, just had another “Restless Fingers Making Me Correct a Previous Post So As Not To Look Like A Jackass” -I think I failed… miserably. sarcastic… ---
**Author:** ![super\_head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@super\_head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/super_head)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2000, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-real-and-it-has-a-name-im-not-crazy/46847/20 "2000-12-25T09:20:46Z")
Dire Wolf - if you feel the need to “crack” your knees often, like when you’re made to sit with your legs bent, you might want to look into Patello-femoral Syndrome. I have it, so the doctor says, and that cracking sound (for me anyway) isn’t fluid or air escaping the joint - it’s the patella snapping back into the groove on my femur! I’ve aggravated it with hiking now… hooray!