HELP I have restless legs? Any suggestions?

[hopefullysoon]

You all have my sympathies! I had horrible RLS from the end of my 2nd tri well into my third trimester. I was aware of the calcium / magnesium issue, but have found that since I greatly increased my fluid intake and significantly upped my salt intake as well, that it has by and large stopped being an issue. Interestingly, I increased my fluids and salt to address very low blood pressure, rather than the restless legs, but seem to have had a bonus spin off from it!
Best of luck

Cheers Hopefullysoon

[rosehannah]

I'm not sure what causes it but it drove me nut with all three pg. there were two things that I found used to help, I'm not sure if they can hurt you so you may want to ask your doctor if you think it's strange, the first is rubbing eucalyptus oil straight from the bottle and massage in. the next thing that would work is to lay down and have a blow heater directed at your legs. It may be getting to hot for this now. I just remembered that lavender oil was useful too, on my pillow and rubbed on legs.

[Sara F]

Hi EJE,
Ohmygod - am SO glad I have found this thread! Have suffered from Restless Leg Syndrome for about the last 8 weeks but is DEFINITELY getting worse. Apparently about 15% of women get it but whenever you speak to anybody who's been pregnant they always confues it with cramps which is completely different! My ob recommended the Magnesium tablets but all these seemed to do was, erm, over-loosen my bowel!! Find the more tired I am the worse it gets - had 3 nights in a row last week and come Saturday morning was delirious.....then hardly anything.
Distraction can help - when DH wakes up (accidentally of course - normally when I get to the stage that I'm punching the living daylights out of my up-in-the-air legs!!) sometimes he'll stroke my forehead until I fall asleep....sometimes works but I've normally been awake for hours by then anyway.
Does anybody know what causes it? Thought it could be all our extra blood???
Gosh - it's good to vent!! Sorry to go on!!!
Sara F