RLS in children...help!

[Mrsjarvo]

Hi guys,

My daughter has suspected RLS and we are struggling to cope with her outbursts of pain. She struggles most nights to get into bed as she has episodes at that time.

She also has ADHD and sensory processing, possible ASD too, so we're aware that is making it worse as she can't regulate as well as other people, or explain whats going on. She usually gets really upset, angry, hits her feet on the floor scrunches her toes, hits and pulls her toes. Does any of this sound familiar??

Often its stress triggered, and we've had mixed diagnosis with hypermobility and Raynauds. We have RLS in the family (an Auntie) but no experience of it ourselves, and are finding it really stressful (for us and her) and wanting to find some remedies.

Does anyone else on here have kids that suffer with RLS? Whats helped?

Desperate!

Thanks, Jen

[Madlegs1]

I'm sure you are aware of all the stressors for rls.

Antihistamines, antidepressants, you could check the medications she is already on ( just type the "medication and rls" into Google), most processed foods, colourings, sugars of all types and many other inputs which may be personal to her.

Rising agent in biscuits is dynamite for me ,and was the first rls trigger I identified at the age of 5years old on long haul flights!😫

I appreciate that you have huge challenges to cope with and it must be daunting at times, but so much of our activities are bound up with our diet.

There are other issues connected with rls, such as ferritin and dopamine, but I would be inclined to just concentrate on the above possible triggers and get them out of the way, or at least find a way to cope with any that are unavoidable.

A food diary will be indispensable.😋

All the very best.

[Hidden]

Hi Mrs Jarvo, I really wish I could help but I haven't dealt with children with RLS. But Madlegs has a lot of good tips. It may be good to get her to an allergist as well to check more quickly for some of this if you can. Best of luck with finding the answers

[DicCarlson]

How old is your daughter? Iron levels in children are highly variable, so I would make sure she is tested for Ferritin levels.

[Joolsg]

I’m so sorry to hear that your daughter has RLS. The hitting legs and pulling toes sounds familiar and RLS kicks in just as you’re trying to fall asleep.

Madlegs has given great advice for first steps. Diet can be a real trigger for most and sugar and food colouring are often culprits.

You could also ask GP for a full blood count to check ferritin levels and supplement with gentle iron ( ferrous bisglycinate) if levels below 100.

Magnesium helps many people and you can get magnesium powder ( if tablets are hard to swallow). Epsom salts bath at night will also help and magnesium oil massaged into legs before bedtime.

Maybe also try probiotic supplements like VSL3 or symprove as good bacteria in the gut are essential for young children.

Compression socks might help and some resistance exercise ( squats and pilates type exercise to stretch and stengthen leg muscles) as dopamine is stored in muscle and helps relieve RLS. Avoid aerobic type exercises like running from late afternoon onwards as that can make RLS worse. If you can do some gentle yoga together just before bed, that would help as well.

I really hope you can find something that relieves the sensations.

[slim1953]

I don't have a young child with it. my daughter started when she was pregnant. Hospital midwives went into panic mode when she was in labour. They had no idea what it was

We both find a hot bath helps. As hot as you can stand. Sorry I cannot help more