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Original poster

Restless legs - any remedies?

64 replies

harryfan37 · 09/03/2023 22:19

I developed restless legs during my pregnancy - and nearly a year later - it's still there! It comes on every night around 9pm and it's so frustrating. Does anybody have any tips for relief please?

Thank you!

OP posts:
whoami24601 · 09/03/2023 22:21

I find a paracetamol and a glass of tonic water before bed calms the worst of it. I also developed it during pregnancy and it never went away!

SeaToSki · 09/03/2023 22:22

Magnesium supplements before bed. Take the full RDA

Original poster
harryfan37 · 09/03/2023 22:23

@SeaToSki is 600mg the recommend dose? Just ordered some of these.

OP posts:
Itonlytakesaminute · 09/03/2023 22:24

Magnesium spray - I've suffered for years this works the best

CountTessa · 09/03/2023 22:24

Turn the temperature down on baths and showers. Not so its freezing cold but a couple of degrees lower will help.

PabsyPops · 09/03/2023 22:25

Lie upside down in bed with your legs up against the headboard (like in an L shape) for 10 mins before sleep - if that makes sense!!

Communionmom · 09/03/2023 22:25

If it’s very bad there is medication. My mum is on a drug that’s technically for Parkinson’s but is used for RLS.

BreviloquentBastard · 09/03/2023 22:26

My nan swore by putting a potato in the bed with her. Absolutely adamant that it cured it.

I've found the only thing that works for mine is exercise, unfortunately. Just reading this thread made me realise my left leg has been going for a while. I've had it my whole life, sometimes so bad it stops me sleeping. But the kind of exercise that makes your muscles feel like jelly helps me. If I work out hard about an hour before bed, then have a really hot shower, then do some stretches right before I get into bed... there's just the occasional sad flick instead of the constant stretching, twisting and jiggling.

derelicte · 09/03/2023 22:28

Agree with magnesium spray.

Original poster
harryfan37 · 09/03/2023 22:28

@PabsyPops I'll try this now. My husbands going to think I've gone mad Grin

OP posts:
Duvetdweller · 09/03/2023 22:28

Communionmom · 09/03/2023 22:25

If it’s very bad there is medication. My mum is on a drug that’s technically for Parkinson’s but is used for RLS.

Agreed - my DH has it. He takes something called Ropinirole.

Original poster
harryfan37 · 09/03/2023 22:28

I'll look into the spray. Any recommendations on which one works well please? :-)

OP posts:
Codliveroil89 · 09/03/2023 22:32

Caffeine makes it worse. Avoid all caffeine in the eve. That's tea, coffee, chocolate etc. Even decafe has caffeine in it. Depression can make it worse. Likewise anxiety and stress. Keep the leg cold. Try a cooling gel/cold cloth. Sleep deprivation/being over tired can make it worse.

lookslikeabombhitit · 09/03/2023 22:34

My grandma swears by a banana and glass of Indian tonic water before bed. She won't go to bed without either or she's up all night.

Original poster
harryfan37 · 09/03/2023 22:36

Very interesting about the tonic water! I wonder why that helps? I'll try anything at this rate!

OP posts:
FlamingoCroquet · 09/03/2023 22:38

Iron supplements can help too - made a difference for me.

Babasghost · 09/03/2023 22:38

Ibruprofen

Wishiwasalittlebitsmaller · 09/03/2023 22:41

There is quinine (think that’s the spelling!) in tonic water that is meant to help.
I take magnesium every night just before bed and that definitely helps.
I also got some leg gel as a gift from Temple Spa called Ahhhh I think and that’s lovely, really cooling and took away the horrible creeping feeling.

SleekMamma · 09/03/2023 22:43

Magnesium supplement will sort that out.

BuddingHolly · 09/03/2023 22:45

It’s the quinine in tonic water apparently. And my friend uses compression socks which she says really help. This kind of thing.

Autocadelite · 09/03/2023 22:45

£26 massage gun from Amazin. Cures my restless legs every night x

Autocadelite · 09/03/2023 22:46

Amazon**

Nat6999 · 09/03/2023 22:46

A hot bath with Epsom salts & magnesium flakes as hot as is comfortable, I used to have mine as hot as I could stand last thing before I got in bed & added lavender essential oil to help me sleep.

Crikeyalmighty · 09/03/2023 22:56

Better too magnesium spray ,

Theunamedcat · 09/03/2023 23:00

I use the effervescent magnesium and occasionally the spray

There are side effects from the spray so I don't use it often