When the Dark Rolls In

Unfortunately, a side effect of restless legs syndrome (RLS) can be depression. Spending the vast majority of nights keeping the same hours as the owls leaves us alienated.

Throw in the fact that these hours mean our lives are turned on their heads. Our loved ones are awake during the day while we are fast asleep, trying to make the most of our untwitchy leg time. Quite often, we end up as ships that pass in the night, spending a couple of hours with our partners.

The trouble with sleeping during the day

It can also prove tricky with appointments, particularly doctors. I cannot tell you how many times I have almost fallen asleep in a waiting room! As a matter of fact, the last time I had my hair cut professionally (over 2 years ago), I found it so relaxing and therapeutic that I did actually fall asleep! Imagine my poor stylist having to wake me up every 15 minutes whilst I napped away!

Talking about sleeping during the day, how many other sufferers of RLS out there are fighting a losing battle with weight gain? The basics of weight loss are to consume fewer calories than you expel. Sounds simple, doesn't it?

When you are confined 18 hours a day indoors due to medical conditions, then spend the rest sleeping, you only expel energy by popping to the bathroom every few hours! I think I better resort to just drinking tea to be safe!

Distraction techniques

I am currently having a "productive funk." I may have mentioned that I sew, embroider, and make items from resin as hobbies. I use these hobbies to try and raise my mood when I feel the depressive darkness creeping in. Not being naturally talented, I try and keep my creative juices flowing by raiding the crafting side of the internet during my RLS-imposed unproductive times!

Recently I had a week away, and unfortunately, that has obliterated my creativity! Even delving deep into the dark corners of the web has not brought forth a flurry of ideas.

What do you find to do during the small hours? Are there any tried and tested contraptions that help relieve the creepy feelings in your legs? Has anyone tried one of those vibration plates that is supposed to help with circulation? I have always wondered if they helped with our RLS symptoms in any way?

Cognitive behavioural therapy

Thankfully, my doctor referred me to my local mental health team to try and help with my depression by offering me a block of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions. I went into my first session dubiously, wondering what they could offer to help me deal with 6 years of turmoil that had basically broken my head.

Talking helps. Talking about anything and everything lifts a huge weight from your shoulders, helping you realise what it was that started the snow pebble rolling until it became a huge snow bolder, then squashing you.

This may seem an odd conclusion to a post – just remember, in your darkest hours and darkest days, there is always someone to listen. Please shout as loud as you can from the dark cavern. We hear and will help.