Restless legs

[MrGeresHamster]

AIBU to want to cut my legs off, I'm having a bad bout of 'antsy' feet (aka restless leg syndrome).

Aaarrrrrgggghhhhhhh......

[AscoyneDAscoyne]

I had this when was pregnant with ds, flippin awful, I would pace the floor for hours. I found a chillo (sp?) pillow helped to alleviate them a little

[FourArms]

I used to get this but it's stopped in the last few months. I'm currently on a low carb diet so all sugar has gone, I don't drink any fizzy drinks (used to drink a lot of coke), I've massively cut down my caffeine intake too and am generally eating a healthier, unprocessed food diet.

Who knows which part has helped, but might be worth a try? I've also lost nearly three stone! :)

[MummyPig24]

I have restless legs in the evening at the moment. It's quite uncomfortable but goes away when I lie in bed and fall asleep. I just hope it doesn't get worse towards the end of my pregnancy but If it does at least I can come back to the thread and use some of the tips.

[cozietoesie]

....and I have to keep moving them to feel comfortable......

Sounds like RLS. There's a sort of compulsion to move them.

[tiggerpigger]

Not sure if this is what I have, but sometimes I get a feeling of a sort of energy/heat building up in my feet and I have to keep moving them to feel comfortable. If I move them somewhere colder (like on top of the duvet for example) for a few seconds the feeling goes away, but then comes back again.

The only cure ive found is to put my feet under the cold tap for a few seconds, then soak a pair of socks in cold water and put them on when I go back to bed. Gets the sheets a bit wet but works every time!

[rumbleinthrjungle]

Boots red vine leaf capsules are good.

[BOFtastic]

Thick socks.

[scantilymad]

Sorry if already mentioned but my chiropractor recommends a large glass of water before bed and then putting the soles of your feet together once it starts. Sounds a bit flannely but worked for me.

[lookingfoxy]

Iron supplements helped me with this when I was pregnant, also eating a banana helped if you have any in the house.

[ShotgunNotDoingThePans]

I use magnesium oil for aches and pains; this gets good reviews for restless legs on H&B and Amazon.

[MoreBeta]

Its lack of oxygen in the muscles that cause the muscle to contract and then relax. Poor circulation, anaemia and anything else that might affect the transport of oxygen to the peripheral muscles in your limbs causes it.

Iron obviously is important in oxygen transport in your body but magnesium is also important in the biochemistry of a crucial chemical called ATP that is the ultimate source of energy metabolised in your muscle. Without ATP your muscles contract uncontrollably. Magnesium is a known muscle relaxant. That is why people have Epsom salt baths to relieve muscle pain.

Iron and magnesium supplements may well help but understanding why you are deficient is also important. I have magnesium deficiency because I have a serious autoimmune condition that causes restless legs and muscle pain among many other symptoms

[thornrose]

My dd is 14 and she has started to suffer from this. Bizarrely it is usually shortly after she gets up in the morning at weekends! She is really, visibly uncomfortable and gets quite distressed.

[ImATotJeSuisUneTot]

I've always had this, my teenage years I slept with my legs up the wall. Returned to doing that during pg too.

I find footballer style thigh/hamstring stretches, and a pillow under my bum can help sometimes.

I collapsed once when I was out, and in my semi-unconscious state, my legs went restless crazy, jerking all over the place. Was awful.

[TodaysAGoodDay]

It's awful, I agree with you OP. I never had this until I was pregnant with my DS whg's now 7. It only happens at night when I'm in bed, and only ever to my right leg. I have it tonight and it's driving me up the wall.

You have my condolences.

Aaaaaaaarrrgh indeed.

[SugarMouse1]

I have this as well, so I know how awful it is.

Never found iron/magnesium/vitamins helped. Although drinking lots of tonic water helps me. Surprised no one suggested it yet! It's the quinine.

[RiffyWammal]

I get this, I got ropinirole off my doctor which works well. But I have MS so I don't know if it would be prescribed to otherwise healthy peeps.

They always start jumping if I drink coke or alcohol. It's torture sometimes until I take the ropinirole.

[SanityClause]

DH gets this. I'm sure he says vitamin B12 is the answer. Isn't it magnesium for cramps?

[UnicornsNotRiddenByGrownUps]

I've had this my whole life. Only thing that really sorts it is sleep but if you are struggling to sleep because of it then try elevating your legs on a few pillows. Also keeping your feet really cool helps too, use a hot water bottle but fill it with very cold water on your legs can bring some relief.

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

Just thought of another quick way of getting some relief. Stand on a stair with half your feet on/off so your heels are floating in the air slightly.

Carefully bounce gently so that your heel is dropping and stretching out the leg gently.

HTH

[WallyBantersJunkBox]

Try and get a soluble magnesium supplement. I take one every night for CFS and it really helps relax my leg muscles.

I have an natural therapy doctor and he prescribed me Mg powder, Vit c and a Vit b complex to take for night time.

As you probably can't do this tonight, lie your calves over a hot water bottle for a bit?

Do you have someone there who can give you a good leg rub?

[SpocksThirdEar]

Urgh, OP, you have my sympathy. I get this. First got it when I was pg, had to do the commute home wandering up and down the train. I had it to varying degrees in each pregnancy (worse with my twins) and then it came back a couple of years ago.

I find exercise helps (ha, I hate exercise, I do loads of walking though) If I start getting it in the evening I go for a wander.

It's not so bad at the moment, it comes and goes anyway, but I hate it if I get it at bedtime. I have to lie on my front with my legs in the air moving my feet around till I wear them out.

Will definitely look into iron, as I do get heavy periods and get run down. I should check to see if it happens at certain times of the month I guess.

[didireallysaythat]

DH has this. Has been caffeine free for 7 years now and taking iron (in the spatone approach - expensive but he gags on tablets) for 2 years which appears to have had more of an effect. Hasn't cured it but had made attacks a lot less frequent.

[QueenofLouisiana]

Totally agree with getting your iron levels checked.

However for immediate relief, run a bowl of cold as you can bare water. Put you feet in for about 10 minutes. It does help! I did that while pg, on the advice of my mw.

[bassetfeet]

You are going to think me batshit crazy . Google soap and restless legs syndrome. yup .
I like scientific evidence and trials etc . But this has worked now for over 4 months for my DH who had arm and leg jerks that went on all night long and were very distressing despite all the med combinations and ad hoc remedies.
Bat shit crazy or nor it works . ivory soap and next to legs in stocking or loose tubi grip . We laughed also but as you know try anything .

[coco44]

It's tiredness .Go to bed!