Restless Legs - Help!!

[Bubseykel]

I need some serious help people!! I had restless legs last pregnancy. It usually came about at night when I was sitting in my recliner trying to relax after dinner.

Since having DD I have had it during the night. Not so bad but I found if I walked around for a while it settled down and I could go back to sleep.

Now it's really bad! I get it at night when I'm trying to relax and during the night. DH just laughs when I tell him - just because he can't understand the feeling. It's not painful but it makes me want to cry as it happens all the time again.

I found last time that iron tablets helped me (after I had the bloods done and found out that I had slightly low iron) and a hot shower helped too. I've read a bit on the net to see what else I can do. The only other thing I found was magnesium tablets should help but I'm not sure if I can take them or really what to do.

Anyone who's been through/going through this with some answer - your advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[Hoody]

I want you to know i understand your pain my legs drove me mad when pg. I too found it so hard to explain to someone else what it felt like. My mum takes magnesium supplements as she has restless legs and she says it helps but i just gritted my teeth and didnt do anything. Maybe ring the you ob/hospital or chemist etc or even google to see if magnesium is safe to take if it is and works then it will be worth it.

[Sammiejane]

Magnesium supps are great for restless legs AND cramps.

I found that if i was getting restless i would use a magnesium rub in the leg area that was affected and it would go away.

HTH

[Mother Goose]

Magnesium is brilliant for restless legs but I can't recall if it is ok in PG or not so check with the pharmacist or your health care provider first.
Some alternate things you can try are massage before bed to help with circulation.
Heat packs or cool packs (one may help whilst the other may aggrevate)

HTH

MG

[KatieRabbit]

I'm with the magnesium too. Ring the pharmacy info line- the pharmacists will tell u anything u want to know about mag and pregnancy. Just google it- I don;t have the number on hand, but they are great.

[Seka]

I really feel for you as I have been having the same issue with the restless legs each evening. I found that propping my legs high helps when trying to sleep but what helps the most is a short stationary bike session right before sleep. In a way I found this a blessing in disguise as it motivates me to exercise :-) Since I began this routine I have not had any problems.

[Nelle]

Seka's right, when I was pregnant I read that it's worth using your legs, so I would get up and wander around the house, go to the loo, get a drink, taking the long way each time, and then try to sleep. A bit of exercise helps.
Definitely worth checking out the magnesium though - I can't remember if I read that sports drinks with electrolytes help...maybe that's for cramps...your midwife/ob might have some ideas too, if what we've suggested doesn't work.

[Life is Good]

For me, the main things that helps is walking (which you mentioned you did). Also, try eating a banana a day. I have been doing that and it definitely seems to help. It doesn't always eliminate it, but often it is a lot milder. It is just an awful ailment and I hope you get some relief x

[bubno.3]

One word RESTIVIT over the counter in chemist. Its a safe drug and its a anti histamine class of drug but it works soooo well with restless legs at night time and nausea as well. However it makes you sleepy so its can only be used before you go to bed....

I used it throughout my whole pregnancy as i wouldve chopped my legs off otherwise!

[bubno.3]

also i slept with me legs higher than my heart at times and that helped ... looked pretty funny in bed with heaps of pillows under my legs or me turned around with my legs up the wall ....

[ladybird11]

Many others are mentioning magnesium, however I am led to think it could be a calcium deficiency.

I experience the same restlessness as you describe when I skip / forget to have my calcium supplement.

[Just Me]

Actually there is an article about restless legs syndrome (RLS) in this months issue of Diabetic Living (July/August 2009).

The last part of the article is about preventing RLS and it says this:

Drink plenty of water. If you are dehydrated symptoms can be relieved after drinking just one glass.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine which generally make symptoms worse.
Ensure you get enough sleep and avoid being overtired.
Find the right level of excercise for you - too much worsens it while too little may trigger it. Try walking around the block before going to bed.
Massage your lower legs with a body lotion or horse-chestnut gel to stimulate the circulation.
Do leg stretching excercises before you go to bed. Yoga is ideal.
Experiment to see if using a hot or cold pack on your muscles helps.
Wear compression stockings.
Apply a magnetic patch or leg wrap over the affected area. A magnetic field helps to open up circulation through tiny blood vessels and stimulate blood flow.
Calcium and magnesium supplements may help to prevent twitching and cramping. Magnesium supplements have been shown to reduce periodic limb movements during sleep.
Increase blood flow through the small blood vessels in the legs by trying garlic tablets.
Try omega-3 fish oils, which supply essential fatty acids that help maintain healthy cell membranes and good circulation.

There is lots of other info in the article too but I thought that might help.

[Toomanytoomany]

I suffer horribly from rls, which is much worse during pregnancy. My sister put me onto Mag-Phos tablets you can get from the health food store, and they are brilliant. They work for me within the hour and I get a peaceful and twitch-free night.

I also find making sure my feet don't get overheated helps.

[demongrrl23]

I find that I am having horrendous problems with restless legs this pregnancy...it is pure torture! Happens mainly at night when I am trying to relax, and it drove me to tears last night. I have started taking magnesium tabs so Im hoping these help, and I found that hot bath really helped out too.

But now, mid afternoon and sitting down after doing shopping and housework, its starting to come back, so Im beginning to think I may need to slow down a bit and not to do so much during the day (hard when I seem to be in a major nesting mode! LOL!!), as a lot of physical activity during the day seems to be a trigger.

V.V FRUSTRATING!!!!!