update in RLS in pregnancy

[Pamests]

I wanted to thank you all for your advice and understanding.

I had midwife appointment today and mentioned rls. As expected she knew the name, but was completely clueless about what it is. She was hesitant to accept my ferritin is too low, but at least she referred me to a doctor.

I also referred myself to my gp, I asked for a different doctor than normally so wish me luck.

And I am hoping to get an official diagnosis this time. It’ll definitely help to have it in my records in case it happens again in the future.

[Jumpey]

Good luck.

[LotteM]

As you are in the uk, go to the rls-uk.org website and download and print (if you can) the diagnostic criteria. Also, I think there are advises about iron status and its importance for rls, maybe download, print and bring them too.

What exactly bring on RLS in pregnancy is unknown. It may be iron (low), it maybe hormones (changing with the various phases of pregnancy), something entirely different or a combination of those. However, during pregnancy, iron appears the only safe treatment, and you can take it without a recipe, but it would be very wise to assess iron status first.

In sum, go prepared and good luck.

[Pamests in reply to LotteM]

Thank you

[SueJohnson]

All of the following must be true for a diagnosis of RLS: 1) The urge to move the legs and sometimes the arms 2) The onset or worsening of symptoms during periods of inactivity when lying down and sometimes when sitting 3) Symptoms occur or worsen in the evening or bedtime. They are usually dormant in the morning 4) Symptoms get better when walking or stretching as long as it is continued. 5) Can't be explained by another medical or behavioral condition.

This is the only way it is diagnosed.

But yes print it out to show to the doctor.