restless leg syndrome since pregnancies - how to relieve?

[hellosailor]

I had RLS with my first pregnancy and it went away as soon as I gave birth, got it in my 2nd pregnancy, and it has stayed since giving birth and is driving me up the wall, I massage my calves, is there anything else that people have found relieves it? it's at its worst in the eve and when I'm in bed.

I also get it in my arms, really don't want to have this forever, grrrrrrr.

[Norfolkvillas]

Thankfully, the worst of my suffering was confined to my two pregnancies, but it drove me utterly up the wall, so commiserations. The thing that made a massive difference for me was taking iron supplements - the ones called Gentle Iron - really helped with RLS and no negative side effects. Maybe worth a try if you haven't already....

[Knomester]

I really feel for you hellosailor. I've sufferered with it since I was a child and it gets much worse during pregnancy. I've never found anything which makes it go away completely for me, but there are things which help me limit it, like keeping bedroom and bed cool (cool sheets at bedtime definitely help for me), regular bedtimes before I get too tired, etc. Overtiredness and travelling are the worst triggers for me. I don't find that exercise or stretches help at all, in fact doing too much walking / exercise during the day can make it worse in the evening.

This website has some more information: http://www.rls-uk.org/

I don't find iron has helped me as it did with norfolkvillas, but if yours post pregnancy related that might be a good starting point? As far as I know iron supplements can help with secondary rls.

[mrs.lotte]

I get this too and find that sitting on the side of the bath running freezing cold water over my legs is the cheap option but there are various leg gels out there which are pretty good at making the legs cold which helps me sleep. My current favourite which is rather expensive is Mary Cohr which I get through www.beautyexpert.co.uk

[Pickle]

I sympathise, I get this too and it's horrible. I have found that upping my potassium intake really helps, either in food form (bananas, but I'm sure there are other sources), or supplements. If you're passing Health Matters pop in and have a chat.

[gillandjoe]

I have the same! I find a pillow under my knees or between them when I'm on my side helps a lot. I've heard that magnesium can help too?... Mine definitely gets worse when I'm overtired which is the worst because the tingling/cramping stops me from falling asleep!

[Jo'sEnglish]

I'm the same, it's hideous! Agree, mine is worse when overtired (I'm guessing having a small baby doesn't help with this!) Quinnine (sp?) found in tonic water is supposed to help. I find massaging my calves only help when I'm actually doing it. Sometimes having a walk around and really stretching them helps... Or some leg cooling massage gel stuff can relieve temporarily (long enough to go to sleep maybe?)

[vch]

I had RLS towards the end of my pregnancy, found that having a banana during the day and a small glass of tonic water in the evening really helpful. It was recommended to me by my friend's midwife in the US.

[Oxalis]

It can be related to iron deficiency or anaemia - your GP can check with a blood test.

[scareyt]

RLS syndrome is horrible & feels like your going crazy! Being overtired or dehydrated triggers it for me - might help to drink more water during the afternoon.

[Goodliz]

I get this on a regular basis too. Not just when pregnant either - just most of the time and it drives me (and my husband) mad.

like others have said keeping cool seems to help.

I hope your's is just confined to pregnancy and goes away soon.

[hellosailor]

Thanks all, loads of useful suggestions there!

Goodliz it is definitely not confined to pregnancy this time round as my baby is 6 months old now, so it looks like it's here to stay, so irritating!

Am going to get some cooling gel and also try the banana / tonic water / magnesium?

you're right it is very annoying for the person trying to sleep next to you too!

[dulwichquine]

This may sound a bit mad, but I've been using magnesium oil spray on my legs and I have stopped getting restless legs during the night. It worked for me and thought I'd pass this on.