Every decade in life brings new challenges. Life in the 80s seems to be a whirlwind of challenges, none more so than with my legs.

With the onset of my 80s, everything about my legs only seemed to get worse. My weight ballooned by 30 lbs to 195 lbs. My arches collapsed, and I wore orthotics; my feet were swelling from excessive water retention. So the doctor prescribed wearing compression socks, a “cure”  that must have been designed by a sadist. My skin turned a motley brown due to poor circulation, and the outer layer died, dried and fell off. 

Now for the kicker! During all those good years and my current difficulties, something else involving my legs was going from bad to worse. It was, and still is, for the most part, invisible to others.

It’s called Restless Legs Syndrome, or alternatively, Willis-Ekbom disease. In simple terms, RLS is a condition that causes a very strong urge to move the legs. The urge to move is usually caused by discomfort in the legs. It typically occurs in the evening or at night, while sitting or lying down. Moving eases the discomfort for a short time. It can disrupt sleep, which interferes with daily activities.

RLS has been with me since childhood. Like aging, the symptoms only worsen over time. 

It is important to know that every twitch, jerk or violent movement is involuntary. You can’t stop it. You can fight it, but that only prolongs the agony, and you have to let go. 

This humorous gif https://tenor.com/.../cant-sleep-annoyed-insomnia-attacks... is an exaggeration, but there are nights it feels too darn real.

Yes, it begins in the legs, but over the years it spreads to every part of your body. Your arms can flay out, your head can shake back and forth rapidly, like you were vehemently saying no. Your legs can jack-knife back and forth for 20 or 30 repeats until you are exhausted. Your torso can even jack-knife, often repeatedly. Worse still, now that I am in my 80s, it occurs both night and day. 

The best way to deal with it is to remain physically active, but, more importantly, mentally active.  

Unfortunately, doctors specializing in RLS are very few, and those who do are not sure of its cause. 

Restless legs, unlike a road race or a hockey game, is a game I cannot win. As Jens Voigt, the renowned German cyclist who pedalled so furiously his legs cried, my “Restless Body” cries. It is a cry that will stop, only when I stop!

This is one of the better videos on the topic: