Restless Legs?

[SillyMommy]

I went to bed at midnight (way too late, I know) and an hour later I can't go back to sleep because my legs are restless and my hips/butt hurt... any ideas?

[ambotchka]

I've had that problem a few times. The best thing that works for me is walking up and down the stairs and then doing a lot of plies (squats) until my legs are exhausted. If I exercise during the day, it doesn't happen as often.

[AesSedai]

.

[bradleybirth2mom]

Rls

There is actually something called Restless Leg Syndrome, which causes weird nerve behavior in your legs---and pregnancy is one of the causes, among other things. Check it out...it's nothing to be concerned with, though. A warm bath helps---do try to get to bed earlier since it's worse at night.

[Restless Legs Syndrome is an overwhelming urge to move the legs usually caused by uncomfortable or unpleasant sensations in the legs. The sensations have the following features:

Occur during periods of inactivity
Become more sensitive in the evening and at night
Are relieved by movement of the limb
Often cause difficulty staying or falling asleep, which leads to feelings of daytime tiredness or fatigue
May cause involuntary jerking of the limbs during sleep and sometimes during wakefulness
If you do have restless legs syndrome (RLS), you are not alone. Up to 8% of the US population may have this neurologic condition. Many people have a mild form of the disorder, but RLS severely affects the lives of millions of individuals.]

---from rls.org

[TeaghansMama]

i agree with pp
i've suffered from this in that past... used to be really bad when i was younger...
found that stairs and squats helped me the most as well
hope you (and those legs) get some rest today/tonight!!

[carouselrider]

Epsom salt baths - you absorb the magnesium into your muscles and it makes a world of difference. They key is to use A LOT. I use about 3 cups per bath and soak for a good long while. It makes all the difference - on nights I don't soak, I am up til 2 with restless legs, on nights I do soak, I am asleep at a reasonable hour.

[luckymama]

upping my cal-mag intake helped a ton. good luck, mama!

[JoyofBirth]

I totally agree with a bath in epsom salts. It helps in the short term. Restless legs can often be remedied by increasing your b-vitamins. You might need to take quite a bit at first to get iit to go away and then can back off some to maintain.

[JoyofBirth]

I totally agree with a bath in epsom salts. It helps in the short term. Restless legs can often be remedied by increasing your b-vitamins. You might need to take quite a bit at first to get iit to go away and then can back off some to maintain.

[marymamma]

Originally Posted by carouselrider

Epsom salt baths - you absorb the magnesium into your muscles and it makes a world of difference. They key is to use A LOT. I use about 3 cups per bath and soak for a good long while. It makes all the difference - on nights I don't soak, I am up til 2 with restless legs, on nights I do soak, I am asleep at a reasonable hour.

I have the same problem with RLS and I have it even when not pregnant. Pregnancy seems to make it a lot worse, especially towards the end!

How long before you go to bed do you take a bath? A lot of times I take a bath as early as 7 or 8 and don't go to bed until 10 or 11. I already take B vitamins and mineral supplements. I really want to try the Epsoms salt, so should I wait until right before I go to bed to take a bath?

[SillyMommy]

Thank you all for your replies! My MW also suggested that an adjustment would help so I visited the Chiro today.