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AAAAAAAAAAAAAArgh! Restless legs

10 replies

Sparklyboots · 27/03/2013 21:26

34 weeks pregnant and it's getting worse and worse. I can't sleep at night, which is particularly annoying given that I drop off during my commute without a problem, (which isn't long enough to be satisfying) or during In the Night Gardern (which isn't long enough to be satisfying) or nearly in the bath (which is just dangerous really). Something about DS1 falling asleep, which is the point where I become technically 'free' for sleeping, seems to trigger this. I've been taking magnesium as I used to get this in my distant, marathon running past, and it was the standard (running club) prescription (and it worked). I have had magnesium and I am jiggling and itching from the inside, can't sleep despite having a dreadful night last night and early morning and being ready to drop off all day if I sat too still (difficult with a toddler). Make me better? Please?

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Msbluesky32 · 28/03/2013 08:43

Swimming is really helping me, in fact after two nights of numb legs/ dead legs/ weird leg sensations I'm packing my swim kit and heading off to the swimming pool this afternoon!
When I say swimming I mean laying on my back in the pool and kicking legs and waving arms...

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Sparklyboots · 28/03/2013 20:40

O, that kind of swimming I could manage! Just knackered tonight, but no chance of sleeping. Think I will insist on DP looking after DS while I get a bit of floating in...

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riskit4abiskit · 28/03/2013 20:42

Someone else said two bananas a day help with this?

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Sparklyboots · 28/03/2013 21:18

I'm not sure the bananas are my cure as I'm eating lots of them anyway - I have a smoothie for breakfast and usually one later on plus often give DS a banana based 'moose' for dessert (and I def help him eat it...)

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Queenmarigold · 28/03/2013 21:32

I still have them and am 10 weeks post partum! Help!

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lookingfoxy · 28/03/2013 23:25

I done lots of googling on this as it drives me mad and apparently a lack of iron can cause it. I have found taking some iron does help.

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ozymandiusking · 28/03/2013 23:30

Restless legs can be a symptom of anaemia.
crampex tablets can help. Available from health shops, but you would need to check if you can take them during pregnancy.

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Sheshelob · 28/03/2013 23:36

I was driven mad by this. I didn't know about the anaemia link. That maybe would have saved me countless nights rolling around my carpet like an overweight chimp possessed trying to get the buzzing to stop.

I found running a very hot then very cold shower along my leg helped enough for me to be able to drop off. Other nights, I had no choice but to watch David Attenborough documentaries while stuffing ice pops into my mouth in the vain hope I'd somehow lose consciousness.

It does go once the baby is born, thankfully.

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Jalopeno · 28/03/2013 23:47

Magnesium oil rubbed directly on the legs works for me.

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Sparklyboots · 29/03/2013 13:14

Oh, very good info for the iron thing; I had already suspected anaemia cos I was absolutely crashing, energy wise. Bought some tablets yesterday.

Magnesium oil? From where might I procure it? That has also reminded me that epsom salts are magnesium sulphate and a bath with a couple of packets in is a very nice thing, so I might try this thank you.

Glad to hear it went for you Sheshelob though I do quite like D A and would be pleased to thusly medicate myself....