To ask for help regarding 7 year olds restless leg

[catgirl1976]

DS is seven and has never been a good sleeper. He has in his own words a restless leg . He is currently in bed sobbing his heart out because he cannot sleep and he cannot keep his leg still. He had been in bed thrashing and cycling his legs for over two hours whilst howling and this is not uncommon.

It is horrible listening to him. We’ve tried folic acid and iron supplements, later bedtime, earlier bedtime, relaxing CDs, black out blinds, lavender pillow spray, relaxing bath, leg massage everything.

He is hysterical absolutely hysterical and throwing himself around his bed so much I think he may hurt himself. I am at my wits end. He is a good diet and gets loads of exercise. We limit screen time especially before bed. His room is dark and cool. Considering a weighted blanket but they are £££

Does anyone have any advice or experience of this?

Does he find any relief from his leg being touched/rubbed?

Not really. He can’t keep them still enough. I’ve tried gently stroking them or gently massaging the muscles but it doesn’t help. I’m actually sobbing listening to the state he’s in right now. He gets himself really wound up and ina vicious circle if that makes sense

Can he lie with his legs up the wall. So his bottom is tight against it and his body is basically a 90 right angle? I have restless legs and have done since I was small and this is my only relief. I used to fall asleep like it as a child.

Thank you I’ll suggest that to him. DH has just been up and stroked his head for a bit and I think he might be down for tonight but it keeps happening. I might take him to the GP but not sure they will think it’s real. I’ve considered filing him because it’s so extreme and I don’t think I could describe it adequately if that makes sense

Can you try a magnesium supplement. Do your own research obvs but my son had painful legs and it really helped.

Thank you I’ll try magnesium. I will see if I can get to chemist tomorrow if any are open. Or a big supermarket

I really think you should see g.p.
There are so many causes for this, different types of vitamin deficiencies . He needs blood tests and investigations if its causing so much distress.

A good handful of Epsom salts in a hottish bath for half an hour before bed, a magnesium supplement and a banana (potassium). Also make sure he is getting enough salt.

I’m going to take him. It’s not normal to be like this. DH thinks it’s in his head but whatever it is it isn’t ok.

I have suffered for as long as I can remember, as did my dad, and now my eldest son does too. We all find Epsom salts in the bath ( we go through 10kg a month!), a banana before bed and a very cool room and bed helps is a lot. I hope you find something that helps your son too. X

Actually he doesn’t get much salt. Maybe an isotonic drink as well as bananas?

I’ll get Epsom salts too. Thank you everyone

Agree to getting him tested as to why. In the meantime I had it in an EXTREME way durning pregnancy. The only help was a tonic sold by Dr. Hauska (sp?) for restless leg. I read about it on here in fact. Smells of rosemary but gave almost instant relief. I feel badly for him, it is horrible and used to drive me demented.

Thank you - I will look at that tonic and see if children can use it. I would cut my own arm off right now if someone told me it would help him. I feel desperate for him.

Are you sure it's not growing pains? Ds(6) goes through phases of awful ones where he literally sobs in pain and cannot keep his leg still. It's heartbreaking. It's usually his shin or calf. A hard rub and some calpol plus cuddles usually helps. He hasn't had them for a little while so no doubt they'll be back soon.

Could be growing pains but it’s always his leg. Calpol doesn’t seem to touch it which is odd because if he has a cold or whatever it knocks him out

Definitely try a magnesium supplement and also you can get a magnesium spray off Amazon also see if he would sleep with a hot water bottle between his legs. When I was pregnant I had really bad restless legs and had a thread on here for it and that was all the advice that worked so well for me. Hope it gets better for him as it's horrible xx

Ds only gets it in the legs too. I thought they were made up until he started getting them! If it's only ever one leg though it's definitely worth seeing a GP.

Magnesium spray, you can get it from health food shops like Holland and Barrett, there are loads of variations. Apparently you need to build up usage slowly www.hollandandbarrett.com/shop/product/betteryou-magnesium-oil-goodnight-spray-60017822

Brilliant thank you - I have a shopping list for tomorrow! X

Look up restless leg syndrome. It is awful. I have also heard magnesium may help but it is absorbed best as salts in the bath or as a spray (which can sting) rather than tablets. I find it is worse if I am worried or stressed in some way.

Westlab epsom salts ( Asda, b&m, tkmaxx and boots) and better you magnesium spray

Thank you! This has all been really helpful x

My kids get this sometimes as do I and the thing that helps is eating a large bowl of cereal - I think it must be the combination of vitamins/minerals in it, especially the iron and magnesium.
Oh and hard massaging helps rather than softly massaging.
Good luck with it, it's bloody awful.

For me (& DH) it's being over tired so do consider that as well.
I remember feeling it from age 7 or so but still get it now age 50