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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Legs driving me crazy! (Restless Leg Syndrome)

14 replies

Slippers101 · 20/04/2010 19:41

Is anyone else suffering from this? It's been driving me crazy for the last few weeks, meaning my legs are desperately uncomfortable and constantly need to be stretched to the point of being painful. It gets worse at night and leaves me unable to sleep. I thought it was just a case of my muscles being out of sorts due to having hyperemesis and not moving about much for the last five months, but spotted Restless Leg Syndrome on The One Show tonight and they said it was common in pregnancy.
Would be really grateful to hear of any experiences.
S x

OP posts:

pramdithering · 20/04/2010 20:28

Mine are really bad too (but then I suffer from it even when I'm not pregnant)

A bath before going to bed seems to be helping at them moment.

tartyhighheels · 20/04/2010 20:33

please do make sure you are not anaemic - i had it terribly when i was and resolved with iron tablets

vix206 · 20/04/2010 20:46

I can't sleep without waking for more than an hour or so at the moment because I get crampy aches that start in the hip and spread right down to my ankles in both legs - worse if I lay o my right hand side but happens however I position myself. Not fun Only relief comes when stretching and flexing my legs and foot.

I'm 23+1 by the way, and have had this for 2-3 weeks now.

Original poster

Slippers101 · 20/04/2010 20:49

Thank you for your messages, I will get checked out. Does it feel like you just have to stretch your legs really violently?! I'm obviously not going to give myself a diagnosis from The One Show without seeing my doctor, but all the symptoms did sound so familiar. Was wondering about trying swimming so that at least my legs feel like they've done something...

OP posts:

Maclaren · 20/04/2010 21:04

I have read that eating bananas can help!I only really get it when watching tv!

movetolancs · 20/04/2010 21:05

Quinine helps. I suffered terribly during pregnancy but have always had it. Drink tonic water or ask your midwife about taking quinine tablets.

2babesmum · 20/04/2010 21:15

I've had it for years, especially during pregnancy. Never knew it had a name until recently as I couldn't describe the feeling. For me it's not really a cramp but a nagging uncomfortable feeling. It's possibly tingly, very intense if I don't move my legs...I'm really not sure how to describe it but I can't keep my legs still for more than a minute when it's really bad. I'm 25 weeks now and it keeps me awake until the early hours.

oopsandbabycoconut · 20/04/2010 21:17

I have it and find myself sitting up at stupid o'clock trying to stretch legs in a contorted fashion. A regular stretch just does not do the job. It make falling asleep a horrible experience as I feel I need to constantly stretch.

fiestabelle · 20/04/2010 21:23

Had this during second pregnancy, was waful and really affected by sleep. Please check your iron levels as once my anemia was diagnosed and iron intake increased it improved a lot, short term, got lots of remedies online, tried them all so not really sure which worked but try, tonic water (quinine), cool/cold shower on legs before going to bed, banana, milk, salt, obviously not all in one go!! Think it was most likely the cold shower that helped, just used the shower head to rinse my lower legs, as much as I could stand.

Original poster

Slippers101 · 20/04/2010 22:17

At least tonight when I'm stretching my legs in strange ways I'll take some comfort in knowing that there are others who are probably doing exactly the same thing at the same time- thank you! I've read that if you only start to suffer in pregnancy the symptoms tend to disappear after the baby is born. My heart really goes out to those of you who suffer from this at other times too. It's driving me completely crazy after just two short weeks.
I'll definitely try the suggestions given- i have a good stock of tonic left from pre-pregnancy gin and tonics!
X

OP posts:

GwennieF · 20/04/2010 22:29

I've had it for years (as has my Mam), we used to call it the kicks.

I really only get it in the evening,when I'm tired and find going to bed helps, or, and I know this sounds a little bit crazy - walking around in circles, or bouncing on my exercise ball - I think it's the repetitive thing that does it....

On the plus side, it got much easier after I'd had DS but is back now that I'm pregnant again!

Best of luck with yours, I hope you find something to ease them....

KatnKankles · 20/04/2010 23:21

I'm going insane!! 37 weeks pregnant, I've had it since 32 weeks or so but it's getting worse.. not good when combined with SPD...

Mine is really bad today but I have had a couple of coffees when I haven't been drinking it at all lately so I'm guessing it's true when they say caffeine makes it worse.

I've always been a wriggler but this is on a totally different level!! At least it's preparingme for the chronic sleep deprivation!

jazzandh · 21/04/2010 09:15

I get it normally and find hot water bottle on my legs eases it a bit. Think it can assist circulation.

PanicMode · 21/04/2010 09:38

I've had it really badly all through my pregnancies. Do get your iron levels checked because iron tablets could help, but don't take quinine without taking medical advice. I asked my (doctor) brother about taking it because I had read that it helps with RLS, but it is contraindicated in pg (dosage dependent) as it can cause malformations.

Bananas, massage, warm baths, bouncing on my exercise ball all helped a bit, but after 4 pregnancies when I have suffered from it from about 8 weeks onwards, even if I wanted another one (which I do not!) this is the biggest reason why I couldn't go through it again.......so huge sympathy from me and hope you find something that works for you!

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