Restless Legs Syndrome is sometimes misdiagnosed as Peripheral Neuropathies

It has been reported that some patients have been misdiagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathies, when in fact the correct diagnosis in their specific case was Restless Legs Syndrome.

Restless leg syndrome also known as Willis-Ekbom disease is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to an uncomfortable sensation that usually occurs in the evening. Symptoms include negative sensations that begin while resting, relief from movement, and night-time leg twitching. These negative sensations are commonly described as crawling, creeping, pulling, throbbing, aching, itching and electric. It can be commonly misdiagnosed as osteoarthritis, varicose veins, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, depression and hereditary ataxia.

Always consult your doctor or health professional, and do not self diagnose.

Symptoms can include:

Uncontrolled jerking movements of legs at night, an urge to move legs, feeling of insects crawling under your skin burning or tingling or aching or itching in legs

Symptoms are a guideline only and may apply to either the diagnosis or the reported misdiagnosis, or both. Consult your specialist for further information.

Further reference: