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?

@catgirl1976 do get the magnesium spray (or Epsom salta) rather than tablets. Magnesium is not well absorbed through tablets.

I am surprised people are recommending mineral supplements for a 7 year old, who hasn't yet been to their GP for advice or diagnosis.

I am surprised people are recommending mineral supplements for a 7 year old, who hasn't yet been to their GP for advice or diagnosis.

Yes, I would not start him on Magnesium, Iron or any other supplements before he’s seen the GP, @catgirl1976

I found the things that stopped my restless legs is a magnesium supplement taken in the morning, No processed sugar and no food with preservatives.

Another thing I also tried was placing a bar of soap between my sheets. It seems odd, I think it’s because the soap is supposed to contain magnesium.

Taking supplements at night can keep some people awake. An Epsom Salts bath is a good idea, especially for a child.

I don’t get it now after suffering with RLS most of my life, finally knowing what causes it for me.

I have restless leg syndrome and have to take a Rx for it every night

I’ve been out and got him some children’s multi vitamins and minerals, some bananas and some Epsom salts. I’ll try these tonight although are previous posters suggesting holding off until he’s seen the GP in case it messes up any results? If he is mineral deficient would they not just reccomend these things anyway?

I’ve had periods of this throughout my life - it’s unbearable - you are so exhausted and the damn things just wont stay still!

I’ve used this for the last two years - it’s helps a lot, but I have to take it as soon as I feel it starting and use the full dose. I also find that if it starts before bedtime, then a long walk/run usually heads it off.

www.amazon.co.uk/Hylands-Restful-Tablets-Crawling-Tingling/dp/B00DQK9E5I/ref=pd_aw_fbt_201_img_2/260-0843602-9103300?psc=1&pf_rd_p=2ef3f294-3d5d-499e-861c-c3dd12069854&_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_wg=5aVtP&pf_rd_r=TDTQD3A841EDV1SSNYY3&pd_rd_i=B00DQK9E5I&pd_rd_w=LXnHc&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&refRID=TDTQD3A841EDV1SSNYY3&pd_rd_r=498ddd8f-3595-4702-bab9-f85eeb4e587b

I second the magnesium supplement, and make sure he is getting adequate potassium (a glass of orange juice will do it - kiwi fruit and bananas are also high in potassium).

My DH suffered terribly from restless legs, it has improved a ton since he added magnesium supplements.

I have this. Craniosacral therapy helps a lot (it’s similar to some osteopathy techniques)

Poor thing!

I find keeping legs cool helps
If it’s in his thighs try getting him to kneel and sit on his feet and then lean forehead on the bed, I find the pressure helps.

Agree needs to see a GP

My son gets this and also I have had it too. Magnesium definitely helps us both - I got a cream for my 6 year old to put on when he goes to bed and he hasn’t had it since then. Mine was also worse when I was low in iron so that might be worth checking. And something that I read online that did give me one night of relief was a bar of soap under the sheet! Sounds odd but it did help.

Right he’s had a bannana an Epsom salt bath and a multivitamin with minerals. He’s got a glass of ice cold water and a bar of soap under his sheet. Fingers crossed for a calm night x

I have always had restless legs, I have found that if I am well hydrated I don't get it, so I will drink plenty in the day and have a large mug of chamomile tea before bed. I had a few bad nights in the last week where it was so hot, and I find getting up, walking around and having a drink help then.
I also avoid chocolate and cheese in the evening.
I hope that he has a restful night tonight.

Bless him. I suffered from this a lot as a child, and then again in my pregnancies. I get it rarely now, and not as severe. It’s soooo frustrating!

I did some research during my pregnancies and I read that lack of magnesium can worsen RLS. So having a supplement or a banana could help in the long term (salt I never found to help RLS, but did help with cramps, which I also suffered from in the calf and planta fascia).

The only way I could ease it when it was in full swing was to get out of bed and move continuously. I’d go for a walk, dance, jump, whatever, for a while until it eased.

Magnesium Goodnight spray
Tonic water
Iron (but only if his ferritin is low)
Restiffic Foot Wraps to sleep in (although they are for adults so think they will be too big) - also very expensive but I was desperate.

Fingers crossed for a calm night x

🤞🍀

I have a suggestion OP that worked for me when I was a kid. The GP thought it was anxiety so recommended gentle hypnosis. At bed time my mum would sit with me and do generic relaxation techniques (you can probably find them on YouTube) counting down from 10, imagine your legs bathed in a calm blue light etc.

Absolutely see the GP but the meditation might be worth a go too!

I hope your ds finds dome relief op. I've just realised that I've unknowingly used loads of the non-supplements remedies throughout my life for rls without knowing!

Get him a glass of tonic water before bed. My DD aged 16+ had this condition and whilst in hospital for other conditions she was prescribed tonic water. It worked a treat. My partner and my elderly mum & dad also had restless legs and tonic water got rid of it. It's the quinine. Give it a go!

Op I hope your evening has been calm? I don’t know this syndrome but I do know about the not sleeping and how distressing it can be so I’m keeping everything crossed for you both.

Oh god, I really feel for him. I've suffered with RLS for most of my life and some nights I can not get any relief. My mum bought me a "cool pillow pad" from amazon a few years ago and it worked amazingly well. I also find draping my legs over DH and having them elevated helps. So it may be worth getting some pillows to rest his legs on. The only other things that work for me are distraction from my husband and I also get him to punch me in the legs - this I do not recomend for your 7 year old. 🙈

And yes to the PP that spoke about hypnosis tapes on YouTube. They're so calming.

He went to bed fine then he came down about nine and I thought “Here we go”. However he came down to ask if he could sleep in the spare room because it’s got a double bed and he’d have more room. (Double bed as opposed to his single) Popped him in and he went out like a light and has stayed out. Amazing! He can move in to the spare room if it helps. Not ire if it’s that or the other things or a combination but I’m over the moon he’s having a peaceful night. Hopefully the first of many

Thank you all

Definitely try the bar of soap. Put in under the sheet where his feet are.

The poor wee lad! RLS is horrible, and it's a shame his dad thought it was in his head but I'm glad there's some improvement so far! He has my sympathies!