Studying With Restless Legs Syndrome

I have chosen to try and improve my education. Not to enable me to get a job or go further in my studies, but rather to prove to myself that my brain still works.

With restless legs syndrome (RLS), sometimes you wander around life in a fog. Some days, sentences disappear like a poof of smoke. Ideas wander off like a 5-year-old in a toy store or the thought you just decided to act on goes into hiding like it has a hit team pursuing it.

Studying is surprisingly relaxing

You know the days. When you had no sleep the night before, as your legs decided they were auditioning for the new production of Riverdance. You resemble a zombie on a bad day – baggy eyeballs and slouching feet with the speed of a sloth.

It feels like your brain has been unplugged like the old adage "lights are on, but no one home!" The last thing you feel your RLS-addled body would be able to do is study! Surprisingly, I am finding it quite relaxing.

I am starting with basic courses

In my opinion, remote learning is the best way for a sufferer of RLS to study. The ability to have all your coursework online, available all hours of the day (and more importantly, night!), means you can pull an all-nighter whilst battling the RLS monster.

I am starting with a couple of beginner courses that are not too taxing but should set me up nicely if I do decide to continue my journey in education. I'd recommend going into it with a basic course to start, to see if your RLS will tolerate you studying.

Disability student services

Ensure you sign up to disability student services that way your tutor will be aware that your home situation might not be adequate, that you cannot necessarily study the way they consider acceptable but you will try your hardest to hand in your assessments on time and complete coursework promptly.

Taking care of myself

With that in mind, remember that you also have to look after yourself. Your RLS may decide to disagree with your decision to take part in something other than actively wearing holes in the carpet parading around the house.

If you are unable to study one day, don't worry about it. Beating yourself up over missing a study period will not help you or your RLS. Stress can inflate the symptoms. Just ensure you have had enough sleep, invest in a good set of headphones, then do what you can, when you can.

Have any of you completed a college or university course whilst battling RLS? If you have, I wholeheartedly congratulate you, as I have trouble getting out of bed after a tough night of symptoms, let alone attending campus and actually looking like I would be able to study.

Doing the best I can

Just remember that these things are not compulsory. If you get halfway through a course and cannot cope with the RLS and study, then drop the RLS! (Yes, I wish! Wouldn't it be nice to make an appointment with the doctor to have your RLS removed?!) Alas, that is not an option, but dropping the course is.

Don't feel less successful if you do have to stop studying. Remember, you tackle a condition that most people would not even consider even attempting. You get through the night by whatever means necessary. You sleep during the day in small chunks, just enough to enable you to be a part of family life. Then you do it all again the next day.

You are an RLS survivor. Wear the badge with pride.