Sleep position

[violetta254]

Has anyone noticed less RLS when sleeping on stomach? Often if I can't rid myself of breakthrough RLS in the middle of the night ( I take 10 mg. of methadone at bedtime), I will roll over on my stomach and then can get back to sleep. This is terrible for my back but works like a charm for calming RLS. If I could figure out a way to do it without back pain, I would do it all the time. I think I slept mostly on my stomach as a child and young adult, maybe I would have had RLS then if I didn't. It only came later when my back was more sensitive to sleep position.

[wcp2008]

I used to be able to gain relief laying on my stomach, arms and head up on pillows, with my back arched. This however did not allow me to sleep. I could rest in a stupor for a short period of time, until my lower back started to hurt. I never did get sleep out of it though. In some cases, the RLS had ended for awhile and I gained a short fix there as well…but, it always returned.

[ziggypiggy]

Interesting. Will give it a try.

[Elisse3]

Yes it worked for me but these days i find it hard to do it completely i have to kind of half lay over so my legs are as straight out as if they would be completely on my stomach.

[Allyp69]

Yes on my stomach stops RLS but too uncomfortable....strange...

[Moonwalker1967]

Yes, that's helped me too but it's not very comfortable.

[Lapsedrunner]

this often helps me too (and better if I add bending my knees)

[Rayme]

Yes, it helps me too, I take 7.5mg methadone and also manage breakthroughs by lying on my stomach, stretch out, feet off the end of the bed, and sleep for a while. It must muddle the neurotransmitters! Isn't it odd!

[Munroist]

In the past other forum members have said lying on your front helps with RLS. I find the same to a limited degree. I suspect that your body weight is stopping you pulling up your knees and legs and reducing the likelihood of a twitch although when RLS is more severe then you just have to move anyway. Lying on your front with one knee up beside you also works a bit for me as it keeps the side leg stretched and the straight leg held down with my weight and it can also ease the back as it tends to keep your pelvis from dropping and leaves you very slightly on your side.

[Hooked77]

Yes, I find relief from RLS on my stomach if my restlessness isn’t too bad. Try putting a somewhat flat pillow under your stomach for back relief.

[Jelbea]

Lying on my front across bed (single) with knees at edge (and almost bent the wrong way) works for me. I do not try to sleep like this but stay in this position for 10 - 15 minutes when usually the RLs are under control. This has worked for me on very many occasions.

[pyramidhiker]

Yes, I find it effective but only for a brief time and when I awaken the symptoms return.

[Mintsaucer]

Yes, I find the same relief - but my neck suffers rather than my back! And it only works if the RLS is not too bad. I think it may be something to do with stretching the groin area.....?

[Tuccatoo]

Yup, I have had RLS for 30years and I find, when I get it in all 4 limbs that the only relief comes from lying on my front with my head over the edge of the bed and my arms tucked straight under my body. Really odd but it works for an hour or two.

[grandma_of_7]

that was true for me for years when I was younger!

[PoorRichard]

I find the same. One leg/knee tucked up makes it less strain on the lower back (I also have fused spine so it's even more complicated for me on my stomach). I'm guessing that it's the downward pressure on my legs that aids the RLS symptoms.