********* Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 I've been having very annoying feelings in my lower legs lately; usually when I'm either relaxing or trying to fall asleep. Not all the time; just sometimes. It's a 'I have to move/stretch my leg RIGHT NOW' sort of feeling, that travels from my knee down to my toes. So then I stretch or move my leg. But that movement only helps temporarily, and I get the weird, wavy/creeping sensation again in my leg. It's super annoying, and kept me from falling asleep last night. :glare: My sister has restless leg, but her's is a side effect of renal failure. I'm just trying to figure out what's going on with me, and how to get it to STOP. Did I mention it's annoying? :tongue_smilie: Should I see the doctor? I did some Googling, and RLS seems to be a not-very-well-understood sort of condition. Anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Taking Calcium/magnesium in the evening seems to help with restless legs. I have had issues with that for years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Generally, if you don't have RLS due to genetics then it is either an iron deficiency or medically induced due to medication being taken or to another medical condition. I've got the genetic-got-it-from-my-dad-had-it-all-my-life-and-passed-it-on-to-my-dd kind of RLS. Yes, it is a huge pain when it isn't controlled. Try either heat or cold. If my legs below the knee are hot I become symptomatic. If I take any kind of sleep aid besides Ambien I become symptomatic. Imagine having taken a Unisom and having to walk for two hours trying to get the legs to calm down. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. There is a pretty good website if you are interested at RLS.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasmama Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 I had it while pg with my last baby. I think it was due to mineral deficiencies. I don't recall what I did, but I think I took calcium and magnesium supplements. It went away before I gave birth. (It's all very vague...sorry I can't be more specific.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
********* Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 Generally, if you don't have RLS due to genetics then it is either an iron deficiency or medically induced due to medication being taken or to another medical condition. I've got the genetic-got-it-from-my-dad-had-it-all-my-life-and-passed-it-on-to-my-dd kind of RLS. Yes, it is a huge pain when it isn't controlled. Try either heat or cold. If my legs below the knee are hot I become symptomatic. If I take any kind of sleep aid besides Ambien I become symptomatic. Imagine having taken a Unisom and having to walk for two hours trying to get the legs to calm down. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. There is a pretty good website if you are interested at RLS.org Hmm. I didn't know that about the iron defficiency. That could be something, seeing as, uh, where I am in my cycle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricket Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Taking Calcium/magnesium in the evening seems to help with restless legs. I have had issues with that for years. :iagree: I started having this in a bad way. My doctor ran some blood tests (for other issues) and found I was very deficient in calcium and magnesium. The restless leg issue goes away if I am faithful about taking my supplements. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindyD Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Hmmm, I always got it when I was pregnant. I'd try to eat bananas more often, but there wasn't much I could do. I don't know if it helped or not. I guess I was thinking potassium and cramps, but it's not really the same thing as rls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather in OK Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Mine is hormonal. It flares up right before my cycle starts. Cal/Mag can help. Mine clams down if I lay something heavy over my legs. Usually I have dh cuddle close and put his leg over mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 When I have it, I take cal/mag (either a supplement or through an epsom salt bath) and I eat a banana (for potassium). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UmMusa Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Oooh, I can't believe I'm reading this!!! I had it sooo bad last year. Guess what... months later we figured out a HUGE iron deficiency. Within like a week or two of iron twice a day, restless legs went away!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Generally, if you don't have RLS due to genetics then it is either an iron deficiency or medically induced due to medication being taken or to another medical condition. This happened to me. It started as a side effect of blood pressure medication. Improved when I went off the meds but it didn't go completely away until I completely had eliminated caffiene from my diet for a month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MariannNOVA Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Mine is aggravated by caffeine AND whatever is in Coke Zero. When I cut down or totally eliminate Coke Zero, the issue dissipates. I know there are other triggers (Advil PM, Aleve) so I try to avoid them. This past week I discovered quite by accident that a couple of ounces of red wine (which has never been a favorite of mine) eliminates the problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 (edited) . Edited June 7, 2011 by Mejane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 I've never been diagnosed with RLS, but I know the feeling you're talking about. It went away when I cut caffine and exercised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoforjoy Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 I had this in my last pregnancy, and it just started up again in this one, too. It is SO annoying. It's hard enough to get comfortable at night in the third trimester, and adding the restless legs on top of it makes sleep so difficult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mchel210 Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Yes...I agree with lots of these posts. Mine is aggravated with sugars, caffeine and stuff like that. My dad says he read all about it for my mom and the calcium/mag. combo works for her. I just avoid all coffee and sugar late (like after 3 ) and Im pretty good. I have cut tons of sugars out of my diet and havent had an issue for a while now. When I do feel it coming on I can usually take 2 advil and it stops it! That doenst work for my mom...but it always works for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cindy in the NH Woods Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 Don't you hate that creepy feeling? Anyway, ibuprofen helps my symptoms; works even better if I take it before I go to bed if I notice even the beginning of "that feeling". ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 My youngest had it as an infant/toddler. The Developmental Ped told us to put her on an iron supplement which helped dramatically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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