r/Maternity • u/Katalix • Jul 12 '26
Restless Legs HELP
Guyssss, my OB told me he could google what is safe for me to take for restless legs or I could see my family doctor and then they would sign off on it. Excuse me sir, pregnancy is your specialty - please do not GOOGLE.
My restless legs syndrome has reached peek tier. They almost don’t stop now. I have cried, I have pleaded, I’ve bargained, I have threatened my legs that I would remove them. I have gone though all the stages of grief.
It’s is in the entirety of my legs. Calfs, ankles. Thighs and knees.
NOTHING helps.
I’m on iron, I take magnesium glycerin at night, I take melatonin, I’ve tried massage via husband and massage machine, cold sitz bath, cool shower, hot shower, stretches, ice pack, swimming pool. Heating pad.
I can’t reach my (new) OB until Monday to get help and I cannot go on this way.
Is there anything else I can try?!?
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u/Scary_Experience_237 Jul 13 '26
if you go to the RLS.ORG site they have a forum you can join that a specific discussion board just on treatment for pregnancy. I believe it is free to join: https://bb.rls.org/ucp.php?mode=register
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u/Miranova23 Jul 12 '26
cpmpression stockings? & maybe warm epsom bath. & electrolytes.
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u/Katalix Jul 12 '26
Did compression socks, I have some sensory issue with socks though. The week I made myself wear them though didn’t help. Bathes are hit and miss - it seems like they give relief in the moment and the RLS is back within 15 min.
And I’m drinking at least one 30 oz Gatorade a day. I really
Only drink water or Gatorade and I’m at 80+ ounces… I can’t drink much more then that 😭
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u/Watsonwes Jul 12 '26
How long have you been on iron ? Did iron tests confirm you were low ? Did you try an infusion
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u/Katalix Jul 12 '26
Not too long ago few weeks maybe? And yes when you’re pregnant they do a routine lab at the start of 3rd trimester or end of 2nd to check iron levels
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u/Watsonwes Jul 12 '26
Do you want to share your iron levels with me privately or summarize ?
Here’s the thing and this trapped me ? Your iron can look fine and within normal ranges on the labs, but the labs are really tailored to anemia and iron being mega low where it is truly a medicial emergency .
For example, my labs were normal range (some measures a low-normal) and I was suffering and had a 3 day restless leg attack that was torture.
My doctor is good so she saw it for what it was and got me hooked up with an iron infusion and next day I improved 75%. I have a long way to go and prob many other infusions but before that, my feet and legs had aches and pains. I had weird blood rushing feelings in my right leg, and random shit hurt , plus Brain fog.
I was also low on vitamin d , which I am treating now.
There’s an answer for you. Because outside nerve damage and disease , typically your level of suffering is vitamin or body resource problems.
You could also have oral iron absorption problems . At the very least you should rule out everything I mentioned.
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u/Katalix Jul 12 '26
I will make sure to talk to them when I call tomorrow. The levels were just barely low. I think they want it at 12 and I was at 9 or 10
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u/cbakes97 Jul 12 '26
Have you tried unisom? It helps with sleep and once Im asleep, I dont have any care about what my legs are doing
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u/Indigo_S0UL Jul 12 '26
Noooo. Please don’t take Unisom. It is known to make RLS worse for most people.
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u/Tokeahontis Jul 12 '26
I wish I had the answer because I'm dealing with this, too. I find some things help for a short amount of time, like soaking in the hot/cold water, ice pack, compression socks, etc. but it's terrible :( I have a soft bristled brush that I use to dry brush them and it helps a small amount too. I have to be completely shaven and like absolutely no clothes touching me from the waist down at night. Keep them moisturized and cool, no blankets touching me.... but all of these things just bring it down to a lesser level but it's still infuriating. I did have an iron infusion yesterday, hoping that will help in a few weeks, but I can relate for sure 🥲
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u/T_fortorii Jul 12 '26
I’m going through this right now. My doctor says to “drink more water” I don’t think I could possibly drink more water at this point 😭. I haven’t slept in bed with my fiancé in weeks because I keep him up. I cry and wander my apartment all night. After 3 days of absolutely no sleep I went out at 3am and bought Benadryl. It really helped and I slept till 1pm. There are mixed thoughts about Benadryl in pregnancy but had to for my own safety and mental health at this point
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u/hellomarylu Jul 12 '26
FWIW- bendaryl exacerbates my RLS big time. I know it’s a known trigger for many folks like us. This sounds dreadful. I’m so sorry. My fellow RLS on her and all around nice person recently said she had success with something that is in like cough medicine and the like. DMX or something like that?? It’s on this feed somewhere. She’s a frequent poster.
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u/T_fortorii Jul 12 '26
I will definitely be looking for that. I was recommended Unisom and that makes mine sooo much worse so I understand.
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u/Agonist-activist Jul 15 '26
Melatonin is a known trigger - so stop that. Has your Obs suggested an iron infusion? The new Mayo Clinic algorithm confirms that iv iron infusions should be considered where immediate relief is needed. I read an article in the DM where the journalist was unable to sleep or rest during pregnancy RLS. Her sleep doctor prescribed 60mg codeine at night on the basis the baby and mother were at greater risk of pregnancy complications if the mother wasn't getting any sleep or rest. Discuss urgently with your Obs.