Restless legs during pregnancy

[Sharongxo]

Currently pregnant and suffering so bad with rls , getting no sleep, can anyone help with what they did to ease symptoms during pregnancy???

[Kaarina Administrator]

Hi Sharongxo

I am sorry to hear that you are suffering really badly with RLS during your pregnancy. Have you tried plugging in 'Pregnancy' in the Search Box as there are a few past postings about this very subject. Someone, for example, found that being tickled eased the symptoms. Worth a try to see if it works for you.

There is also a small section on Pregnancy on the RLS-UK site. If you have not already visited it the link is: rls-uk.org/rls--pregnancy

[Madlegs1 in reply to Kaarina]

Yes- it can happen in 3rd trimester and usually dissappears after the birth.

My daughter used a mixture of epsom salts (Bitter saltz) and water half and half by volume. She rubbed the 'oil' on her legs which helped a lot. It might sting a little bit- but you can then wash it off if unbearable. That worked for her and after a beautiful baby girl , she has no more restless legs.

Epsom salts can be got in any chemist. just mix up a small amount to try it out.

Good luck .

[myview]

Hi Sharongxo, I cut back my sugar intake & also meat tbecause they r high acid foods which seemed to bring on the rls. Artificial sugars & fizzy drinks r the worst . Madr a huge difference. I have a chart for acid & alkaline foods which u could google online. Lemons & watermelon r the most alkaline foods while meat & sugars r the most acid. A healthy diet should b 80% alkaline consisting mainly of vegetables & fruits. If I overindulge with sweets or desert I have a drink of water with a big squeeze of lemon to counteract the acid. Also I have taken bio magnesium tablets for many years which settles the rls at night. However, I wasn't pregnant so check with your Dr. I do have a sweet tooth but I'm fighting it and keep the lemons & watermelon on hand to counteract my weakness and happy to report the rls is tapering off as a result. Hope u find this helps u too.

All the best, MyView

[lauraflora]

Also make sure you are getting enough Iron and calcium, both very important during pregnancy. Iron bisglycinate is (and I have said this so many times, but I will say it again) easily absorbed and non-constipating (very important for anyone in addition to pregnant women.) Calcium and magnesium help to calm the nerves. Being pregnant puts pressure on the spine and the nerves, which can cause RLS to act up. Some of us here have talked about how a full bladder or bowel can do the same thing. What about some sort of support belt for your stomach as it gets larger? It may help, tho RLS usually starts up when you lay down on your side.

Ask your doctor about the iron, tho iron is usually needed during pregnancy. If you had RLS before becoming pregnant then you want to also read some of the posts by Oolong and by Whitebuffalo about iron and the studies done on RLS people and their problems with iron assimilation in the body. It seems to be genetic. Tho if you didn't have RLS before chances are yours may only be due to pressure and position and would go away when you deliver. (There are also people with spinal injuries/illnesses who get RLS.) So it depends upon a few situations. Hope this helps.