What are the first signs of restless legs syndrome?

People describe crawling, pulling, tingling, aching, or an inner restlessness in the legs. Symptoms often become noticeable when sitting or lying down, particularly in the evening or at night, and movement may bring temporary relief. The discomfort can delay sleep or repeatedly wake you. Restless legs may occur on its own or alongside iron-deficiency anaemia or chronic kidney disease, among other conditions. Leg cramps and ordinary pins and needles have different patterns, so the details matter.

Keep a brief record of when the sensations occur, what relieves them, and how they affect sleep. Gentle walking, stretching, a warm bath, or massage may provide short-term comfort. Arrange a GP consultation if symptoms recur, interfere with sleep, or began after a medicine change. A clinician may review medicines and request a blood test, including checks relevant to iron levels.

Seek medical advice when restless legs are new, steadily worsening, or causing persistent difficulty sleeping. Get urgent help for a suddenly swollen, hot, or painful one-sided leg, marked weakness, or new loss of bladder or bowel control, because these features do not fit the usual restless-legs pattern.

Does my symptom pattern fit restless legs syndrome? Could iron deficiency or kidney disease contribute? Should any current medicine be reviewed?