Growing Pains, ADHD, or RLS in My Son

My son doesn’t just have restless legs. He’s restless all over. He’s a 5-year-old little boy and he has the energy to prove it. He also has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and sensory processing disorder diagnoses, but that doesn’t account for his wiggles, necessarily. I have restless legs syndrome and we recently did a sleep study on his sister and found that she does, too. It’s a genetic condition.

Clue #1 – sharing a bed was a nightmare

My first clue that his restlessness was restless legs syndrome is that he is a nightmare to share a bed with. When the kids were little and we’d vacation as a family, we’d often split them up and each parent would sleep with a kid.

Their dad and I would draw straws or play rock paper scissors to see who would “win” and get to sleep with our daughter. She sometimes has a hard time winding down at night, but at least she doesn’t kick us all night.

If you share a bed with my son, he will flip flop and kick his legs until he falls asleep. Fortunately, he often falls asleep quickly, especially if he gets to listen to his favorite podcast and has a melatonin gummy. Turns out his night kicks could be periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).

Clue #2 – 'growing pains'

My next clue that my son might have restless legs is that he has “growing pains” from time to time. He complains that his legs hurt, but he cannot say exactly what started the pain or where exactly it’s located. He sort of gestures to his legs as a whole and begs for help.

Nothing really solves the problem, but gentle massage or squeezing around his joints seems to soothe him. I try to stretch him, gently, as well. I flatten his foot in my hand and slowly lift his leg up, so his hamstrings get a good stretching.

Supporting my son's 'sensory diet'

He is tight through his legs and was a “tiptoe” walker when he was younger, a sign of sensory processing disorder, but it’s also indicative of tight leg muscles. I spent time with his occupational therapist and school support specialists at his preschool to help them fill his “sensory diet” and help him still his wiggling body. He also takes an SSRI to help with his ADHD and anxiety symptoms which may make the RLS worse.

Could this be RLS?

When I googled “growing pains” and saw that it’s often a sign of restless legs syndrome, a lightbulb went on. It’s possible I’m treating his wiggles as ADHD when they are actually restless legs. His SSRI may or may not be the right medication for him with this new revelation.

I will review my research with his doctor on our next visit and get advice from our mental health providers. I plan to test his iron to see if a supplement might help.

All in all, when it comes to my son and his wiggles, we are all trying our best. As his communication grows, so does his ability to tell me what helps. We will figure him out.