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.
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