I get Restless Leg Syndrome from time to time (I'm 38 and generally healthy) but there's not usually PAIN associated with it. If you're having cramps/muscle spasms, you can try eating a banana or two. The potassium usually helps. You say you've tried rubs - do you mean creams like Icy Hot? If those and Tylenol haven't helped, I don't know what else to suggest other than seeing a doc.
Sorry. Good luck! I know how much it stinks to have something like that mess with your sleep.
Edit: one other thought just occurred to me: how high up is the throbbing/catching feeling? I'm wondering if you have a pinched nerve or something. When I was pregnant with my second child he seemed to sit RIGHT ON my sciatic nerve and for about 6 months I had horrible, unrelenting pain with what felt like "electric jolts" going down my hip into my leg any time I laid down in bed.