Anyone have restless legs? :(

[BRIT1416]

I'm 26+4 and the last few nights my right leg has been so restless 😔... It's driving me insane and is causing me to not sleep well at night!! Anyone else have this? Can anyone give advise on how I can help deal with it?

 

[BabyS14]

I haven't had it at night when sleeping, but I get it usually after work when I'm on the couch watching tv. I have to get up and walk around every so often.

 

[PocoHR]

I've had it happen a few times, and strangely eating seems to help. Last time I got up and had a snack and slept like a baby afterwards. Eating always tends to make me very sleepy these days, though, so I don't know if it would work for everyone

 

[weedle]

I had it really bad with my son, I get it when not pregnant too! Last night however was my first time I felt uncomfortable because of it during this pregnancy (I'm 26weeks).
I find an ice pack on the calves and a good stretch and I can usually get myself off to sleep!

 

[o0oCharlieo0o]

Yep i get it terrible in the evening when im relaxing or trying to sleep

 

[kristy87]

Yes me! Any time I try go to sleep. It 's so irritating!!!!!!

 

[tallybee]

Yep - as soon as I try to sit or lie still! It's highly annoying!

 

[MnGmakes3]

I *THINK* I have it. It's such an annoying feeling like I HAVE to move, almost like a heaviness /crawling feeling (I'm sure there's a better explanation). I have it the worst in the evening while relaxing or watching tv. The only thing that helps is getting up to walk around.

 

[ElmaWG]

Yes, I've been having it, but not so much when sleeping. More in the evening when sitting on the couch, as a previous poster said. I have been getting leg craps while sleeping...I wonder if the two issues might be related?

 

[prettybirdy27]

I've been fighting this for years. There were only two things that would help me - getting up and walking around, or else laying on the bed on my tummy so that my feet would dangle off the edge. That would force my legs to straighten out and make it go away. Unfortunately that second one doesn't work so well with a baby bump.

I have a hematologist for a separate blood issue, and he asked me if I have restless legs. I told him yes, how did you know? He said my iron is very low and put me on iron suppliments. He told me it takes 90 or so days to take effect, unfortunately, but it did work after about three months and I don't really have it anymore.

 

[2have4kids]

Prettybirdy I didn't know it could be caused from iron deficiency - thank you.

It's also due to either a potassium or magnesium deficiency and highly common in the summer when we drink more water flushing these mineral out. Coconut water is super high in potassium & I have a liquid mag that's been helping me (had aweful restless legs last week).

 

[PocoHR]

Soaking in epsom salts is great for magnesium intake as well. You actually absorb it better through your skin than you do your stomach.

 

[2have4kids]

https://drhyman.com/blog/2010/05/20/magnesium-the-most-powerful-relaxation-mineral-available/

WOWZERS, I didn't know it can have so many complications when we're deficient of mag... poco I didn't realise we can soak it up, will have to look that up thx

 

[BRIT1416]

Thanks ladies for your replies I do get it when sitting and trying to relax in the evening too 😔 I read that it could be an iron deficiency but just had labs done on Tuesday and dr said my hemoglobin was excellent, I'll try the Epsom salt soak and try to increase potassium intake! Last night I took some Tylenol and after some tossing and turning was able to drift of to sleep thank goodness but it's prolly because I was exhausted! It's an awful feeling when it just feels restless!

 

[Sophiasmom]

Yes! I had it with my last pregnancy and it started early with this one. Two things that help me: keep the room cold. If my legs get warm/hot at all they are soooo much worse! I keep the sheets open with the fan on before bed, and then keep my feet out for a bit too. The other thing is peppermint foot cream. I use Burts bees. I rub it on my legs and feet and keep them in the open air. Basically the colder the better for me, so no socks or pants close to bedtime. HTH!