RLS: voluntary..JACK

[Guest guest]

Jack...

I think Dr. Levin covered the bases and answered your question. I was

speaking of what he mentioned in his final statement: " They are NOT the

same as the voluntary movements used to try and relieve the sensory

symptoms of RLS (paresthesias,creepy-crawlies). "

We decide to move, voluntarily, in response to the creepy-crawly feeling

associated with RLS(or however you describe your own weird sensation that

is relieved by movement). As Marleen so clearly compared it....it may be a

decision based on necessity, like having a gun pointed at you...but

never-the-less, we DECIDE to move and we move. That's not to say we can

stand to decide NOT to move. Many people have reported, too, that even

though they CAN, occassionally sit through a wave of RLS, they often will

move or jump INvoluntarily soon afterward.

I was not aware of the " dyskinesia " that Dr. Levin described. I know I've

experienced this on occasion, but I never knew it was associated with RLS.

In this case, I was referring to the voluntary movements we do, in response

to weird feelings. I'll be careful in the future to not make it such a

clear cut difference between RLS and PLMD as being voluntary and involuntary.

My point, in responding to June, was to say that when it's MY option (a

voluntary movement) then I have the option to move or not move. And in

many cases, I choose to NOT move, but to try other things like

concentration or rubbing or massage. Because I'm dealing with a " voluntary

leg movement " scenario, I have those options. But if my legs were moving

on their own....such as with PLMD, or as with the dyskinesia that can be

associated with RLS (is that better?)....then I wouldn't be able to use the

same techniques. I can't imagine a way to prevent an INvoluntary movement

that you don't even see coming.

YIKES!!!! Hope that helps.