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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Help needed with restless legs before I go insane!

26 replies

TheApprentice · 29/04/2008 14:24

aaarghh! Cannot sleep most nights because of these restless legs, I get so uncomfortable. The lack of sleep is making me very irritable and the whole family is suffering!

Have tried, baths, swimming, tonic water, all with no effect. Anyone got any bright ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
TheApprentice · 29/04/2008 14:30

Anyone?

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Original poster
TheApprentice · 29/04/2008 14:43

PLEEEASE!

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staranise · 29/04/2008 15:19

afraid no great advice, just that I get this when pg and not and it's so so so annoying, though i don't get it that bad, but you have my full sympathy.

Massage helps mine, especially with oil. Have also heard that cutting out caffeine and upping iron intake can sometimes help as it can be a side effect of anaemia. TBH even thinking about it makes me restless...

Best of luck

cyteen · 29/04/2008 15:21

Aaargh, grim. Restless leg is rubbish. My nan gets it really badly and says that cutting out caffeine has helped her loads, so it might be worth a try.

roquefort · 29/04/2008 15:21

Try Crampex - works for my parents.

3littlefrogs · 29/04/2008 15:24

There is a specific treatment for this and I can't for the life of me remember what it is - it might be beta blockers but I will have to look it up. I have a BMJ article on it at work, but am not there ATM.

Also - it can be caused by anaemia so worth getting Hb checked. Your GP should know about specific treatment - it is not anything new. The article I mentioned was published about 4 years ago.

3littlefrogs · 29/04/2008 15:25

Have you googled it? There are loads of adverts for treatment in medical publications.

sarah293 · 29/04/2008 15:29

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missjhunterdunne · 29/04/2008 16:06

I thought they were due to lack of calcium? Magnesium? Sorry not much help - drive me mad though.

Original poster
TheApprentice · 29/04/2008 16:26

Thank you all so much. I am already cutting out caffeine due to pregnancy.

I am also taking a liquid iron supplement. Not sure about other treatments, I know you cant take beta blockers when pregnant. Am hoping it will go when baby is born (sorry to hear not in your case Riven) but I will check out other treatments. Am due to have iron levels checked soon so will see if thats a problem then.

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Original poster
TheApprentice · 29/04/2008 16:29

Have just looked up Crampex on Google and it says not if you are pregnant. What a shame!

I will have to try massage I think!

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goingfor3 · 29/04/2008 16:32

My firend had this in her pregnancies and was adviced to eat a few brazil nuts every day, it really helped her which I think is due to the selenium they contain.

needahand · 29/04/2008 16:34

Might be silly but I think I recall someone's midwife recommending bananas and indian tonic water or something

lilQuidditchKel · 29/04/2008 16:34

sympathies, had it with both of mine, and it is just soooo maddening!
cutting out caffeine (and hate to say it, especially chocolate) after lunch definitely helped cut down the severity of the attacks.
i'd also do some stretching and elevate legs before bed. tried compression socks too, i think those helped also - can get them at Boots. Not sexy tho sorry

Original poster
TheApprentice · 29/04/2008 17:36

Ah well, sexy I am not anyway at the mo! I guess I will try the cutting out chocolate thing but that will be hard! Its my only treat! Also I will try Brazil nuts, but I cant stand bananas!

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sarah293 · 29/04/2008 17:39

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3littlefrogs · 29/04/2008 18:13

Oops - didn't realise this was in "pregnancy". Am supposed to be working and keep having a quick look at MN, but not paying sufficient attention.

Original poster
TheApprentice · 29/04/2008 18:18

Thats ok 3littlefrogs, thanks anyway.

Oh dear, Riven, this doesnt bode well for me as I am 41!

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sarah293 · 29/04/2008 18:19

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Nelif · 30/04/2008 08:40

I get this every night after dinner between 8 and 9pm. Luckily it eases when I go to bed. Must send you mental if it is stopping you from sleeping, you have my every sympathy!
Nelif x

jazzandh · 30/04/2008 16:32

I get this too and it is maddening. I found that deep heat lotion really helps. It obviously increases the circulation to the area.

Not sure which preparations you can use during pregnancy, but you could maybe try hotwater bottles on your legs first and see if that helps.

Best wishes

Original poster
TheApprentice · 30/04/2008 19:18

Thanks to you all! Will try deap heat.

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smilesattheweekend · 30/04/2008 19:55

Try tonic/bitter lemon - look at the label and make sure it has Quninnine in it, it will be listedon the ingredients. I had restless legs 5 years ago when pg with my son and this worked for me, am 12 weeks at the mo, and am hoping I don't get it again but will certainly try the Quinnine again (not sure I have spelt it correctly!).

X

Smiles

lisalollipop · 01/05/2008 11:04

Sometimes milk (hot or cold) seems to work for me. Also if you've done any yoga and can deep breathe into your legs (strange as that sounds) that can help.

Although mine sometimes run away with me in bed, if you can try not to let them start thrashing around I think it stops the progression!

All sounds weird I know, but I do sympathise. Have had restless legs on and off throughout (now 40 + 13) and it's no fun. Good luck.

Buckets · 02/05/2008 14:03

I've not had them this pg (my 3rd). The only difference I can think of is that I do lots more walking now - 15min each way schoolrun twice a day and we live at the top of a steep hill! The last 2 pregnancies I was either sat at a desk all day or driving everywhere.
Still get calf cramps but do the foot-flexing thing to sort them out immediately.