Really painful legs in bed

[surreygirl1987]

Hi everyone. I've had a problem-free pregnancy so far and an currently 29 weeks but not I've hit an issue and would love anyone's advice. I'm getting really really painful legs in the night. They're okay when I go to sleep, and I do sleep with a pillow between my legs which seems to help, but in the earlyish hours of the morning I wake to find my legs hurting from a deep dull ache. It affects both my legs but is worse on my left (when side I lie on) and feels like it is radiating all up and down from my upper thigh to my calf. I've tried having a hot shower before bed, and my husband has tried massaging them before bed but I'm now getting this every night and I'm dreading having it for the next 11 weeks!!

Anyone know what this is? It doesn't sound like RLS. I have always had low blood pressure and poor circulation (always freezing cold hands and feet) so might this be connected?

Grateful for any advice! I'll ask my midwife again at my next appointment but she seems quite dismissive of common pregnancy 'ailments' so I'm not expecting her to have much to say about it!
Thank you!!

I had this, they would either cramp up up completely of ache like my bones were being gnawed at!!

Drinking water before bed and eating a couple of bananas helped me. But there are plenty of tips online to reduce cramping in bed like consuming a little bit more salt x

Thanks! I've been googling it and you seem to be right in suggesting bananas - going to go and get a bunch in a bit! I didn't know more salt might help so thank you! I'm also going to try to swim every day as I read that can help. Not sure what else to do if that doesn't work!

I had this, which was resolved by taking magnesium and selenium tablets.

Sounds like a touch of sciatica. Maybe the baby's resting on a nerve.

I had this between 23-27 weeks. At 31 now and it seems to have pretty much gone, so it could be due to where the baby is lying. Several of my weird and wonderful symptoms backed off right around the time mine moved from transverse to head down. Could be coincidence, but who knows? I found some good yoga stretches and a little self-massage before going to bed helped, and trying to avoid sitting with legs crossed at work during the day.

God I really hope it does go!! I was awake at 5am this morning doing stretches as I couldn't sleep for the pain. It's worse in my left but the right hurts a bit too. I've been researching various veins as I suspect a circulatory issue and my mum got really bad VV when she was pregnant. Apparently it can be hereditary. I'm following all the advice I can find apart from the compression stockings bit. I'm a bit confused as advice says not to wear restrictive clothing (e.g. skinny jeans) but surely compression socks have the same restrictive effect? Does anyone have a recommendation of any compression socks brand that worked well for them?
Also might it make a difference keeping legs warm in bed? I always have freezing feet. Currently on holiday in Greece and it's HOT so we have the AC on all night and my legs get cold... anyone know if this makes it worse? Might see if I can fine any fluffy socks/pj trousers anywhere on this island!

Oh also (sorry one more question!) I'm finding elevating my legs really helps temporarily with relieving the pain.... but this obviously requires lying on my back which I know we shouldn't do. How can I follow both pieces of advice?

Sorry for all the questions- I just can't bear this for the next 11 weeks and really don't want to end up with VV legs like my poor mum! :(

I was just about to post a very similar question! Been awake the last 2 nights with similar pain. I'm 20 weeks and the thought of this ongoing will send me crazy. Sympathies are with you...

Oh @Tori it's rubbish isn't it! Let me know if you find a miracle cure and I'll let you know too if I find anything that helps. Just spent 2 hours swimming around in the sea hoping that might make a difference this eve...