Hi, I am 32 and I have suffered with RLS since I was pregnant with my daughter who is now 9. However, the last six months it’s got so bad and I don’t know why? I’m awake all night, I’m so tired I feel like just jumping off a cliff some nights 
I’m so desperate for some relief even now my legs are still the same as they were at 2/3 this morning-it’s relentless.
What is the best thing I should do, just looking for some advice please. Does diet/alcohol affect your RLS?
Xx
Hi Shelly,
Have you noticed your legs kicking in any particular environment? I noticed mine tended to start when mine got warm/hot. I tried taking the covers off my legs in bed and/or wearing cooler clothes i.e. trouser (not jeans) or warm socks and it did reduce the occurrence.
I also tried using the mattresses covers that are supposed to keep you cool, but I found I was getting hot because the cooler could not get rid of the heat that it absorbed.
Please not that I needed the cooling even though I was taking tablets. The neurologist I saw was reluctant to accept that the cooling was very effective!
It might be worth a try even like I did with the bedclothes.
Since then I've bought an electric bed cooler and it lasts all light!
Let us know if you try this, I'd be interested to here your results.
Lindy14
Thank you for responding. I have not tried the cooling idea, I am up for trying anything- I will let you know how i get on xx
Hi Shelly, there are lots of things that can trigger RLS, pregnancy is one of them. I realise you've probably not been pregnant now for 9 years, (I'm good at sums!). There may have been longer term consequences.
Not an immediate solution, but your iron stores may have got very low and low levels of iron in the brain are one cause of RLS. A standard Haemoglobin test will not pick this up, you could ask your doctor for a serum "ferritin" test. If you do, you need to know the exact result and not just accept being told it's "normal". Normal.is not necessarily good enough for someone who has RLS.
At the same time you could ask for blood tests for thyroid function, kidney function and diabetes, these can also contribute to RLS.
Yes alcohol and caffeine can trigger RLS so you should reduce or stop these. A lot of sugar in your diet or even too much carbohydrates are also known to trigger RLS.
If you read other posts on here you can find information about some of the diets that may or not work for you. Also some supplements e.g. iron or magnesium. which some people find helpful.
Furthermore, some medicines are known to trigger RLS. If you are taking an antidepressant whether it be for depression, anxiety or nerve pain, this may be a trigger Antihistamines are a trigger e.g. in cough medicine or hay fever remedy.
If you've never seen a doctor about your RLS then.it might be a good idea to do so now. If you've not already been prescribed something for your RLS it sounds as if you might need to consider it now. If you are already taking something, it seems you need it reviewing.
Thank you so much for your message. I have not seen the doctor regarding this since I was pregnant, even then I was told to drink tonic water and elevate my legs at night. All of the above is really helpful thank you xx
An old fashioned remedy that used to be thought to help RLS was quinine. It isn't really used much anymore, certainly not for RLS. The idea behind tonic water is that it has some quinine in it, but you'd have to drink about 20 litres a day to get enough quinine!
If your see your doctor and they prescribe something, you might want to check back here before taking anything. Members here have lots of experience and can tell you the pros and cons of the medications typically prescribed for RLS.
As Manerva has said.
As pregnancy set up your rls, it is highly likely that ferritin is a possible source of your rls. It should be at least 100.
If it is lower, then look at supplements or possibly infusion.
Check with your dr.
Good luck.
Thank you so much I am going to call the doctor tomorrow. xx
Given that it came on in pregnancy, definitely get your serum ferritin levels checked as Manerva suggests and make sure they give you the actual figure - not just that you are ‘normal’. If it is below 100 start a supplement - note - ‘normal’ can be as low as 20 which is far too low for rlsers. This could help a lot and is definitely worth trying before starting medication.
Look for all the other non-medical recommendations. Magnesium - as a rub on the legs or as a supplement, cold water applied to the legs, yoga stretches, a very diverting activity such as a video game (reading, tv and paper puzzles do not seem to be adequate). I find 20 minutes of video games can give me nearly 2 hours of symptom free sleep. Solpadeine could be helpful (it’s the codeine that helps). Compression tights and elevating the legs can also be good. I saw a recent shout for Passion flower tincture and many people find cbd oil helpful. There are loads of others that help some sufferers (it’s such an individual condition).
It is also worth checking that you are not inadvertently worsening it by taking counter-indicated substances such as Benadryl, piriton, or anti-nausea drugs. Also SSRIs and amitryptiline can be very bad.
Thank you so much, very helpful xx
Btw tonic water makes no impact on rls and quinine is now considered dangerous so don’t rely on that for treatment.
Alcohol blocks the neuro receptors in your brain, and will make RLS worse for MOST of us.
I also had RLS - as well as terrible muscle cramps - during pregnancy. Years later it worsened, and by chance I discovered that Magnesium and Potassium supplementation work to keep it under control. I take both twice a day.
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Any help appreciated!!
my RLS is ruining my life 
