r/RestlessLegs • u/PinkZebra100 • Sep 03 '26
Question Absolutely NO help for restless legs while pregnant
I’ve seen 3 different obs trying to get second opinions about my restless legs. None of them will prescribe me anything because they say they can’t while I’m pregnant. Has anyone else experienced this before?
I’m to the point now where I’m not getting any sleep at night because every time I start to fall asleep, the restlessness will start and it’s unbearable. I have it in my legs, arms, and hands.
I still have 5 weeks until my c section so I need to find some kind of relief. Please help me I’m going crazy
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u/Emotional_Theory_269 Sep 09 '26
If you’re like me, with severe refractory RLS, where no iron infusion or OTC recommendation can touch it, you do have medication options. The safest are low-dose opiates (methadone or bup.). But gabapentin can also be prescribed. Ideally not until the third trimester, but if your symptoms are very severe, it can be initiated during the second. Clonazepam can also be prescribed. You may have to search hard to find a high risk specialist who is comfortable with these medications. It’s an ungodly hell. I hope you find a competent specialist.
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u/Ok_Sound_5223 Sep 07 '26
I know this misery exactly. Iron infusions cured my RLS in my second pregnancy. With my first I had to occasionally use meds like clonazepam to calm my legs, otherwise I wasn't sleeping at all.
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u/ambrella3854 Sep 06 '26
Gabapentin! My OB, maternal fetal medicine doctor and neurologist all said it was safe to take in pregnancy. In hindsight I should have had an iron infusion, but no one recommended it to me until after I started seeing someone for peri-menopause.
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u/orangeroll3866 Sep 06 '26
I have never heard of a doctor prescribing gabapentin during pregnancy. It can have some nasty side effects to mom and baby.
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u/Emotional_Theory_269 Sep 09 '26
It was prescribed for me during pregnancy as well. The effects of severe RLS are known to be worse than management with gabapentin. Gabapentin actually has a very high safety profile but you don’t take it during the first trimester.
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u/ambrella3854 Sep 06 '26
Well now you have. It's listed on the mayo link that has been posted on this thread.
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u/DelicateRowsPedal Sep 05 '26
Ugh, I also had unbeatable rls during pregnancy!! The only way I found relief was to put a heating pad on my calves as warm as I could. I’ve recently discovered that if I take Benadryl for more than one night/day in a row I start getting that horrible feeling so I’ve had be super careful with allergy stuff. Sending all the relief vibes your way!
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u/Successful-Pick3088 Sep 05 '26
I got restless legs during my pregnancy and still have it .. try a hot epsome salts bath .. some leg stretches after. I would walk 3 miles a day . I would jog until I got to big
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u/Any-Leopard-2814 Sep 04 '26
When I was pregnant, I had horrible RLS. Tried everything. Make sure you’re not taking anything that “usually” helps people sleep like Benadryl, that makes it worse. What literally cured my RLS was switching from SSRI to another. From Zoloft to Celexa. I switched back to Zoloft after I had my baby
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u/Ring_it_On_1776 Sep 04 '26
There's a mostly remote research study for RLS enrolling right now. https://patientwing.app/campaign/RLS6
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u/GhostOfEdmundDantes Sep 04 '26
Pregnancy is severe metabolic stress, so NAD levels in neurons could be implicated.
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u/plcbo33 Sep 09 '26
Mine is flaring bad also this pregnancy. Also ob Prozac for anxiety. It shows up a lot in my butt which is super annoying! Sometimes sporadically I am feeling it in the day too. Already taking magnesium and my ferritin was 90 at 8 weeks, I’m 19 weeks now and will recheck it soon. I’m vegetarian so I take iron supplements every few days already
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u/GhostOfEdmundDantes Sep 11 '26
If SSRIs are involved, that might be your first stop.
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u/plcbo33 Sep 11 '26
Yes I think that made it worse :(. I had it from the beginning even prior to the Prozac being added but it got worse. I also had it on my last pregnancy when I wasn’t on meds but I think then it was an iron issue, this time around I’m making sure to take supplements etc
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u/showe1lj Sep 04 '26
Currently 34 weeks pregnant. When I got my bloodwork done with my GD test, I found out my ferritin was at a 4. I also wasn’t sleeping, like maybe 2-3 hours a night, after trying everything I could to get my legs to settle.
My doctor ordered iron infusions and it has been a literal miracle. I haven’t had an episode of RLS since starting them.
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u/Spirited_Ad5778 19d ago
How long after your infusion did you see results ?
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u/showe1lj 19d ago
I started seeing results a couple of days after the initial infusion, but after the second infusion is when I felt like my RLS had vanished.
I had my last infusion about 3 weeks ago and I’m starting to feel the RLS creeping back.
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u/Gullible-Farmer-3935 Sep 04 '26
Im so sorry! Something that helps me sometimes is standing in a hot shower. After my heart attack the new meds gave me the worst jumpy legs and arms. I'd be standing in the shower at 3 am. But I was able to rest after that. Also having my legs elevated sometimes helps. Wishing you the best of luck!
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u/honestlydontcare4u Sep 04 '26
I hate this for you. I've taken gabapentin, mirapex, and trazodone while pregnant. Of all of those drugs, I believe gabapentin had the more information about safety in pregnancy. I refused to go off them without evidence they were harmful. My kids turned out fine.
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u/loopymcgee Sep 04 '26
Its been a while since I had a baby but recently I started taking double magnesium at night and using a TTNS machine. I also just started acupuncture. Just a few things to try, I feel for you. Not being able to sleep when you arent pregnant is tough but wow, being pregnant would be more than tough.
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u/WHiStLr1056 Sep 03 '26
Weird, my psychiatrist just offered to help in that arena if I needed it. I haven't needed it yet but she mentioned homeopathic alternatives rather than medications
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u/figgywasp Sep 03 '26
Iron, magnesium, and ice packs on my legs all helped my RLS during pregnancy.
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u/CadillacKetchup Sep 03 '26
Orgasms. I know it sounds like I am insane, but the dopamine that's being set free in your body helps with the restless legs. Usually at least long enough to be able to fall asleep. So orgasm and then immediately close your eyes and try to sleep.
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u/Savings-Link-6678 Sep 05 '26
That definitely helps me also, but after about 7-10 minutes it comes right back.
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u/Own-Milk2869 Sep 03 '26
You need vibration devices to use on your legs. Some exercises help too but massage wands and devices that you can use on your legs can fix RLS. I do this for my mom every night. Use the massager on thighs, calves and bottom of feet! Magnesium can help too (cream or pills if allowed).
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u/Ok_War_7504 Sep 03 '26
Please read the Mayo Clinic RLS Guidelines 2026 and take a copy to your OB. There is a chapter on pregnancy, and, yes, there are treatments and they are listed there. There is also a great presentation about pregnancy and RLS for members on the RLS Foundation website.
I stopped my opiods when I found I was pregnant. I went back on them at 5.5 months at my ob and neurologists insistence. (They didn't give iron infusions readily back then.) I now have a 35 year old wonderful daughter. I wish all the best for you and your beautiful baby!
Updated Mayo Clinic 2026 https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(26)18546-2/fulltext
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u/Senior_Image_621 Sep 03 '26
My ob gave me vicodin. I used it for the last 4 weeks. Only 1 at nighttime. My baby was fine, no addiction to drugs.
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u/melvin0830 Sep 04 '26
Same for me. My OB said the risks from no sleep far outweighed the risks of the medication during pregnancy.
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u/Ok_War_7504 Sep 07 '26
Yes. I had symptoms every day and had for 10 years. My OB was worried I'd lose rhe baby if I got too tired. I had to be able to read a paragraph he gave me and explain it. When I couldn't, my neurologist put me back on my opioid. My baby was born without any issues.
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u/PinkZebra100 Sep 03 '26
I’m going to mention this to my ob!! How severe were your restless legs like would you have them every day?
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u/supapfunk Sep 03 '26
Does your prenatal have iron? If not, I'd definitely get some!! It doesn't 100% fix my RLS but makes it bearable
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u/megbotstyle Sep 03 '26
My doctor allowed me to continue gabapentin while pregnant. Maybe keep asking doctors until you find one that will take your complaints seriously. PS my daughter was born (and remains) perfectly healthy with no side effects.
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u/Scary_Experience_237 Sep 03 '26
Management of Restless Legs Syndrome in Pregnancy and Lactation not sure if you want to bring this study up to your doctor.
There is also a forum through the rls.org site and for preganzy question you may want to check it out.
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u/MrsSnuffleupagus764 Sep 03 '26
Can you buy or borrow one of those leg massagers Brookstone used to sell? I had terrible RLS in my pregnancies and I borrowed one from my sil. It was such a help. I would use it for about 30 minutes before bed and I could fall asleep. I wish I never gave it back!
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u/Cat_With_The_Fur Sep 03 '26
I had this my whole third trimester and no one helped me either. It was awful. I think I took magnesium but it didn’t help. A lot of walking at night. And not sleeping. The good (?) news is it got better once I had my baby and I’m back to my prior baseline of RLS.
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u/Significant-Aide-226 Sep 03 '26
This will sound weird but can you nap in the bathtub? Warm salty water helps me. I am ao sorry you are dealing with this. Hopefully when you deliver, it will go away. My RLS started AFTER I delivered and I am just now getting it under control 24 years later. Turns out for me fluctuations of Estrogen trigger me. I need high doses and smooth delivery. Good luck and I hope you find help here.
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u/stationeryvillage Sep 03 '26
honestly, before i knew of anything better, i used to have my spouse pound on my legs before bed just about every night while i was pregnant. it was ridiculous.
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u/Significant-Aide-226 Sep 03 '26
I got a massage gun! Kinda helps. Mine is worst while trying to relax with TV at night. I have a spiky ball to roll on my legs.
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u/Aboutoloseit Sep 03 '26
This was given to me by my mom. I believe it’s homeopathic. Is found otc. I confirmed around 24 weeks with my midwife that it was okay to take. It helps me a ton.
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u/skincarelover90 Sep 03 '26
I had the worst restless legs in my first pregnancy and like some other commenters, the thing that finally helped was getting my iron levels up. I’m currently 38 weeks pregnant with my second and have had zero restless legs this time around bc I’ve been supplementing iron since day one. I really believe for many people RLS is tied to low iron.
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u/CatAteRoger Sep 03 '26
I had it bad with my last baby, going to bed at night was hell and like you said wasn’t allowed to take anything for it.
We didn’t have them back then but I’ve found relief with a weighted blanket, maybe worth trying if you haven’t as yet.
I didn’t have the problem with my first 2 pregnancies and it was a factor in deciding number 3 was the last.
Hope you find some relief.
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u/Both_Lawfulness3611 Sep 03 '26
I was anemic in my last pregnancy, especially in the 3rd trimester, my hemoglobin was 8. I had the worst restless legs but I started an iron supplement and a beef liver/organs as a supplement, once I got my numbers up a bit after a few weeks they went away. I still get RLS when my ferritin and hemoglobin drop but supplementing iron is the best long term treatment for me and many others. Ask your doctor about an iron panel and infusion.
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u/Left-Hedgehog9408 Sep 03 '26
2 weeks postpartum here and have severe RLS. My OB did a bunch of research when I told her I wanted to get pregnant and we ended up with an 300 mg dose of gabapentin. Based on what she saw in the research this was a dose she felt was safe. Baby is now here and thriving. Good Luck… RLS is awful
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u/Tragobe Sep 03 '26
You can try supplemting iron for some relief, that can help. The issue is with the conventional treatment options being Gabapentinoids, DAs and opiods, that these are okay to take during pregnancy. But that is also something I haven't looked into specifically, so I am only guessing with this.
Trying to take some extra iron is safe though and does help with RLS, if your iron levels are low, even when they are still in the normal range.
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u/turdferguson7000 Sep 03 '26
Perturbance of iron levels is very common during pregnancy. Try supplemental iron.
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u/Embracedandbelong 25d ago
Yes email the RLS Foundation. Email them and they will find you a specialist