Hey, there, Tina--
Personally, I would ask your family about RLS a little more, if for no other reason than that someone might not realize what it is, and have been suffering in silence for a long time. Even if they don't need meds (I don't, and no one I know with RLS except the folks I know here take them either), it might be important to them to at least know it's not "just them" (I found that comforting!. And for younger folks with it, it could be important for them later on, if their cases do progress.
I already knew two friends had RLS when I finally came here, because I had overheard them talking about it to one another-- that's the first time I heard of it. I also noticed a brother-in-law fidgetting one night, and we discussed RLS, too. But when Jumpy started the survey thing, I e-mailed EVERY family member and many friends because I figured that there might WELL be others who had it.
Total count, I found five positives (three family, two friends) and three probables (all family, two deceased, so we'll never be sure) out of probably 25 messages. Those who responded negative to RLS questions, were almost all very interested in what it was and why I was asking. And my gut feeling is that SOMEDAY down the road, one of those people who DON'T have it, is going to run into someone who DOES... and either will be more sympathetic or will be able to tell them "Hey, there's a name for that, and possible treatments."
So like we were discussing earlier, if NOTHNG else, even if it really doesn't "Matter" to your condition and the treatment of it, asking around ***raises awareness***... and you were COMPLETELY RIGHT... that IS important!
Shortly after that little personal research adventure, I found one more definite case, our 12 year old son. Thanks for asking about him, Tina.
He's doing okay. I told Becat earlier today, I still wonder if I had RLS when I was his age. I think I may well have and just never thought it could be any kind of disease or condition. It was just what MY body did to ME at night when I was tired or ill.
His case is blessedly mild so far, and still intermittent. I think that it's less-frustrating for him, because it DOES have a name, and because he can compare notes with me. I told a funny story to some of the members a couple of months ago about him showing me all sorts of wild contortions of his body and each time asking me, "Does RLS make you want to do... THIS?" We were laughing pretty hard by the time I showed him MY favorite RLS contortions.
I hope that by the time he's my age, maybe the researchers and docs will understand RLS better, and have more hopeful strategies for dealing with it and/or treating it. But so far, to be honest with you, I think it's actually been something that (before I even realized he had it) was helping him evaluate his own "self-care" and make decisions (he's like me, and going to be earlier is better, RLS-wise) based on what he felt his body needed. What a good lesson to learn so young? To listen to our bodies, and obey when they seem to be saying, "Time to rest, time to re-group."
A cousin of mine believes that we are intended to "learn something" from every experience in life. And although I don't LIKE some of the lessons I've had lately, I think that there is merit to that philosophy in many cases. I wonder if Tom's "lesson" from RLS so far has been about acceptance and grace to make the most of what we're dealt?
Hugs to you. Take care, Tina.
Sara