Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

Well... I think RLS is unique for each person. But here is my story and what I found out after being with it for 18 years. Maybe it will help you.

Put those chemical-interaction stories to rest. The brain is an organ. But we are people... we are alive and are much more than our parts.

I started going to meditation class about 5 years ago. They taught me how to meditate, how to get "naked" and take my suit of armor off.

What I found is that I was a complete ego-maniac. What's worse, my RLS was a symptom of this huge ego I had (have).

It started when I was in my twenties and when I was very much hurt, felt abandoned, isolated. My ego went into survival mode... and created RLS.

I don't know why it happens in the legs. I think possibly because its a place to run away to. Get as far away from life as possible.

So, after meditating so much its become very clear to me. My RLS is a part of me who I slowly need to reintegrate into myself again. Its a part that needs to be healed by the trauma that happened to me.

I work on it everyday. Meditate 2 hours in the morning so I can get on with my day in peace. Evenings are tough. "He" (RLS) prattles the worst then. I just try to reassure "him" "me" and eventually he calms down.

I don't know why this happens. But he needs to be brought home. That is why it feels "like that".

Somedays are wonderful. I make good progress. He becomes one with me again. And my RLS is sylch. The pressure gets aleviated by dealing with it. Meditating with it. Understanding my feelings when I just let things be and peacefully investigate my RLS.

I hope this helps someone. It took me years to understand this. I know the pain and I know the crazy theories that run through our heads. But do not fear. Eventually you will come home to yourself... little one.

Take care.

Babytoes, I moved this post into the non-pharmaceutical treatment so others who are looking for a non-pharm treatment will be able to find it.

I hope it continues to work for you for a long time.

I had RLS for years, but it only bothered me a few hours every few months.

Then I went through a major trauma to my nervous system. That started me on the road to full-blown RLS. When I think about it, in just one year, I went from just about no symptoms at all to 24/7 RLS symptoms.

I also took an anti-depressant that I was told contributed to the problem. However, I strongly believe that the trauma was the driving force behind the sharp upswing in symptoms. They started before I even took the Abilify. I am still in the same traumatic situation and my symptoms just keep getting worse and worse.

That is why I am desperate to move, so I can get away from the situation that has caused me so much pain.

Dale