July 16, 2005
RESTLESS SOUL SYNDROME
And so, after engorging, delicately, a repast of grilled red snapper, I was sitting by the decaying pool at the Magic Beach Motel, admiring the neon, smoking a cigarillo, enthralled with life's limited possibilities.
And then I felt a distant yet familiar tinge in my left leg. A discomfiting feeling I knew, and had forgotten. The onset of Restless Leg Syndrome. Have you ever had this, Intrepids? The sensation of godalmighty St. Vitus's Dance in your legs as you lay to slumber? Upper body fine, mellow, ready for the Sandman. The lower half aquiver, legs twisting, spasming in jerks and fits, with no rhyme or reason.
I've experienced Restless Leg Syndrome over the years, but it only came in incessant waves for about two years. That was six years ago.
I fear it is back, with a vengeance. And anyone who tells you it is physic as opposed to emotional in nature is not a sufferer.
Then again, with any luck, this is just a side effect of the mercury I consumed with that snapper. See? I really am an optimist.
Sounds like a full blown case of ciguatera to me. It's been nice knowin ya...just kiddin. If yer still alive in the morning go here...http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/illness/ciguatera_fish_poisoning.html
Posted by: BULLSEYE at July 16, 2005 11:57 PMDuct tape that leg down.
Posted by: og at July 17, 2005 12:57 AMIt's that French vodka.
Posted by: Jim - PRS at July 17, 2005 5:28 AMBack before it was a 'syndrome' and it was simply known as 'that wierd feeling in my legs where I can't be still', a little old woman I knew claimed that calcium could help.
She kept tums (with calcium) by her bedside and when she had the feeling, she would take them.
I've tried it, and it seems to work. A glass of warm milk seems to help even more. Of course, that would work on two fronts: the calcium and the l-tryptophan.
Posted by: jmflynny at July 17, 2005 1:52 PMI experienced it when I was pregnant. Eight months gone and I felt like I wanted to get up out of bed and dance. Has something to do with potassium level according to my obstetrician.
Posted by: Nancy B. at July 17, 2005 7:31 PMIt's caused by magnesium & potassium deficiency. Mama always called it "growing pains" when I was a boy, but I learned better. Feels like the meat is about to peel off the leg-bones, doesn't it?
Eat a banana. Or even better, eat a banana split. Then, drink some more of the French vodka and get laid.
That vodka and getting laid stuff won't help the leg spasms, but it'll damn sure take your mind off of them.
Posted by: Acidman at July 18, 2005 4:35 PM