Throughout my life, I’ve had periodic times of not being able to sleep. I would sleep fine for a few months, and then have a couple of weeks when I couldn’t sleep. During these sleepless periods, I would roam the house to find a place to lie down and be able to sleep. While I was growing up, my mother knew she would find me on the living room sofa if I was not in my bed. Ten years ago, the sleeplessness hit and didn’t go away. I struggled for months of not being able to sleep, most often not falling asleep until 4 or 5 a.m. I took over-the-counter sleep aids, but they were no help. I then read about Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and all the symptoms fit, including the extreme creepy, restless feelings in my legs. I also read that there is no cure, but that certain medications can help and that the over-the-counter sleep aids contained ingredients that actually made the symptoms of RLS worse. My doctor was very knowledgeable about RLS and gave me a prescription for the right medicine for me. However, RLS is not a case of taking a pill then going to sleep. Some nights I sleep like a drum but many, many other nights – more often than not, I either can’t go to sleep or wake up in the wee hours unable to sleep. The only solution is to get up because no matter how long I lay there, I will not be able to go to sleep and the RLS symptoms will not go away. I’ve always loved crafts and turned this love into my profession as a designer and artist, designing fabrics, needlework, quilts and product lines. I’ve always found that creating and using my hands relieves stress. It came natural to pick up a paint brush or a needlework project during the periods that I was unable to sleep. As I start crafting, I can feel the RLS symptoms go away – my legs start to feel calm almost immediately. Within 30 minutes to an hour after I start the crafting, I become very sleepy. At this time, I can go to bed and into a sound sleep. Additionally, RLS frequently starts up during the evening prior to bedtime, while watching TV. But as long as I’m painting, sewing, or stitching needlework, I can craft away as long as I want without any of the RLS symptoms. It’s great that doing something that I enjoy and love helps prevent something I hate! My Name is Phyllis Dobbs and I’m an artist and designer with a focus on whimsy and vibrant color. My latest fabric line is “It’s a Dog’s Life” from Quilting Treasures by Cranston Print Works. Several gift product lines using Phyllis’ art will be available this summer and early 2010.
I find this very interesting as I have bouts of RLS, it's so frustrating. This sounds almost like a form of distraction - I'll have to bear it in mind next time my legs start jumping. And if I get an extra excuse to craft, well, all the better ;)
Posted by: Carmen | June 26, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Wow Phyllis....i didn't know you had RSL and that crafting could help it? How awesome. I do believe that crafting can help heal us and your story is a case in point. My partner has restless leg syndrome and we have found if he takes 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with water that it helps the symptoms abate. I don't think the neighbours would take too kindly to him working with power tools in the garage on his woodworking (his hobby) to craft through the RSL! At least your craft is quiet! Ha!
Love, Violette
Posted by: Violette | June 29, 2009 at 08:43 AM