Normalcy vs Restless Legs Syndrome

Normalcy is overrated. Who wants to be the same as everyone else? Who wants to blend into the background?

Unfortunately, as a restless legs syndrome (RLS) sufferer, you stand no chance of merging into the backdrop due to the fact that as soon as you attempt a task that an unhindered person would not think twice about completing, you unwittingly start the chorus line of Riverdance.

Moving my body to live music

Live music is a pleasure I only started to experience 20 years ago. I pay for every gig with a little more of my hearing and a lot more pain. As the nu-metal genre is my choice, jumping around and staying out of your seat moving around is practically encouraged. This is a place where I actually feel "normal."

Sitting through live comedy shows

Fast forward to my other love, comedy. In an arena filled with 20,000 people, I am but an ant, as seen from the stage (I would imagine), surrounded by excited individuals. I sit with dread, hoping that 1) I stay awake long enough and 2) my limbs don't start their ode to an "air dancer" (the wavy inflatable dudes outside garages!).

Going on vacation

Vacations are something I would love to do more of, even though I feel as if I should be standing at the front of the plane after the air stewards have completed their emergency procedures with a clipboard to explain my condition!

"Good morning. I would like to thank Captain Schwartz for her welcoming us all onto the plane. I am sure you would all like to thank her for the sterling work she is about to do."

PAUSE FOR APPLAUSE

"I would like to introduce myself. I am Nikki, sitting in row 25, seat A. Unfortunately, I suffer from a condition called restless legs syndrome. This means, amongst other things, I need to get up and destress my legs and arms on a regular basis. I shall try to keep myself to myself. Involuntary movements are part of my symptoms, which may result in me kicking you in the shin or whacking you round the head. Please be aware the movement is, once again, involuntary. I thank you for your time and look forward to discussing my illness with each and every one of you as I walk past your seat. Oh, and I snore like a train. Please enjoy your flight."

Do you think they'd let us address the entire passenger flight list?! RLS hates being contained in a small seat. Even the thought of it makes me start to squirm! Has anybody tried travel medication, only to be told that it actually did nothing, just knocked you out fast asleep, and the poor guy in the seat in front of you has been beaten black and blue by your legs hitting his seat??

Confined seats for special occasion only

Soon I will be buying a neon waistcoat with "Unable To Control Limbs" printed on the rear to explain the involuntary movements of both arms and legs when I am out in public. Even more so when I am in a confined seated area trying desperately to enjoy what I have paid to see.

Needless to say, it has to be a very special occasion for me to put myself through a night of restriction. Even then, it doesn't always happen.