Restless Legs Syndrome Support Group

I can't recommend a doctor in Alberta, but I can recommend some tips for getting through class (having been there myself years ago) and having sat through endless meetings in the years since.

I took notes galore, on everything and anything. Anything to keep myself busy. If my arms were busy I wasn't as focused on my legs. I would also wiggle and giggle my legs under my desk or table, being sure to position my chair so I wasn't bumping into the desk/table and bothing others. My shoes slippped on and off, my legs bounced up and down, my feet bounced and wiggled. I walked fast between classes/meetings to get some exercise and tire out my legs and tried to do some isometric exercises even while sitting in my chair, tensing and releasing the muscles.

I also would get up and stand in the back or side of the classroom, rocking back and forth on my heels and toes and if needed, pace back and forth in back of the class (works best if you wear rubber soled shoes so you're not bothering anyone).

Talk with your instructors about your restless legs and let them know you're not being disrespectful, but you simply can't sit still the entire lecture.

I've been doing this since kindergarten when my teacher lovingly nicknamed me "wigglebottom". I've never been able to sit still and 40-odd year later still can't. But I cope with all sorts of wiggles and jiggles and movements and am the very best notetaker there is for any and every meeting because it was my way of coping (I was by no means the designated notetaker). Even now I'm sitting here with my legs bouncing up and down going a mile a minute.

As for that doctor, go to the wemove.org and rls.org site and print off the information that pertains to you and the questionairres about PLM and RLS and bring them to your next doctor's appointment, even to your primary care doctor. You can bring issues to his/her attention in a clear and concise manner, identifying your issue, how long it's been bothering you and what you've done this far to try to alleviate the symptoms and if/how they've helped. Let your doctor know how disruptive this has become in your life and ask for help. Sometimes we may need to be the one to educate our doctors a bit. I know that's not the ideal situation, but if it helps us in the long run, it's well worth the effort!

Good luck!

Hi Dragan3 I am going to give you a contact person, e-mail address and telephone number in Alberta, Canada. It is a support group and am sure they can help you with your information.

I got this from my Night Walker Magazine for RLS and it was in the Winter of 2008.

It is in Calgary and do not know how far you are from them. If nothing else you can either call or e-mail and ask the questions. I am also going to see if I can find a dr in Alberta and get back to you. It is so important to find a dr that has knowledge of rls and is willing to work with you and above listen to you.

Karen Shillingford
403-532-2534

Calgary@rlsgroups.org

I hope that this of some help to you.

Charlene

Dragan3 I tried to see if there was any drs for Alberta, Canada but did not show any. I would definitely check with the e-mail address and contact person as they are still in the book.

I hope that they will be of some help for you.

Please let me know if I have been able to help you.

Charlene