Insomnia

[Guest]

As a small child( still in crib) I would get up on my hands and knees and rock back and forth until I went to sleep. As I got older it changed slightly, I'd lay on one side and roll back and forth. I had to sleep in the floor a lot because the noise would be so loud it would wake everyone in the house.The bed would literal walk across the floor. If we went somewhere in the car I would rock back and forth in the seat. All of this finally stopped when I was 23 and married.
Does this sound like anything anyone else has suffered? I've been made to feel like I was crazy all my life for this behavior. I've spent a lot of long cold nights on a hard wood floor, got my butt spanked and my face slapped, but continued anyway. Not to mention the sleep others lost because of me. But no one seemed to understand I had no control over this. My parents took me to the Dr. but he would never say why I did it, only that I would grow out of it.
Now I'm 43 and have started having trouble sleeping again, my legs ach real bad. I haven't been to a Dr. yet just found out about RLS last night in a book I was reading. Could this be connected to the childhood thing? What was and caused the behavior as a child.Where can I learn more? Is the childhood problem very common? Any answers would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Deb

[Guest]

What you describe as a child is similar to rhythmic movement disorder and typically children do grow out of it. I cannot find a specific connection between that and RLS although they are both considered movement disorders. Rhythmic movement disorder is not common but also not that rare. A neurologist who specializes in movement disorders may be the best person to evaluate you and see what may be the cause in you and how to proceed with treatment of the RLS. If you cannot find a neurologist in your area, a sleep specialist (you can check this website for one in your area) can also be of help.
[quote]
As a small child( still in crib) I would get up on my hands and knees and rock back and forth until I went to sleep. As I got older it changed slightly, I'd lay on one side and roll back and forth... [/quote]