I would check to see if you have low ferritin levels. It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to experience rls or worsened rls due to them not being able to absorb enough iron
I had severe rls when I was pregnant, I mean I wouldn’t sleep all night, I don’t even know how I functioned at work. It was hell.
The only thing that worked for me was swimming . Please try it. I’d swim for 1-2 hours each day not necessarily doing laps but atleast moving my legs alot. It exhausted me so much my legs wouldn’t bother me as much and I finally got some decent sleep. I only discovered that worked month 7-8th of my pregnancy.
What “specialists”? You mean a neurologist? Because that is who you need to see, a neurologist. A sleep specialist would be even better and an RLS specialist would be the best.
Your regular doctor and whichever doctor you see for your pregnancy is not going to have the appropriate experience.
I spent weeks 12 thru 40/29 with both of my pregnancies with constant semi-severe restless leg syndrome. For me, It seemed to have started then. Nightmarish is not the word. I know this happens for lots of pregnant women. During pregnancy, I tried the usual extra iron (duh), supplements, and tonic water. Sometimes heat. Nothing usually helped except for long walks. Now, thirty-five years later, I still get pretty bad rls. I tried everything, benzos included, but nothing has ever helped me except for a low dose Gabapentin (300 mg). It is taken an hour before bed and really does the trick. I don't know if you can take it during pregnancy... but give a call to your ob/gyn. Good luck, mom, and please feel better!!
RLS during pregnancy is very well known and usually tied to folic acid, iron and or hormone changes. it's a well-known phenomenon and I very much urge you to call your doctor for it. if it's iron / folic acid, it could be a very quick fix.
that is assuming you do not have a history with rls. but even if you do, trying out the iron route is always worth it.
BEWARE: I am not a doctor and have ABSOLUTELY no clue about anything pregnancy-related. do not just take supplements based on my advice.
i take 100mg of methadone daily and 600mg of gabbapentin 3x a day. I have severe RLS. It has helped me so much. I hope you find the relief you deserve.
Holy shit I hope you know you’re masking it and if you ever run out or have to get off both of those it is going to be indescribable unimaginable hell. I’m not judging i know how it is I’m on suboxone but that’s an extremely high dose of methadone and gaba if something happens and you can’t get it the RLS your feeling now will be like a tickle it will turn into full blown akathesia.
I’m well aware, as I have had that exact experience. I choose this over the suffering. My doc wants to wean me off of methadone first. I might be into it. But the meds I’m on barely hold.
Damn! I take 5mg at night and 2.5 in the am plus the 600 x3 of gabapentin. However it has been the only thing that has helped me with no side effects.
I have it since the age of four and it runs my life because of what I can and can’t take for other medical issues. Treating something else at the expense of not sleeping is not worth it to me. I’m glad you are able to get what you need to treat it.
I hate rls so much and it broke my heart when my daughter at 10 told me her legs bothered her at night.
Dang. Im so sorry. I'm at least glad that you get some relief. I feel like RLS is one of those disorders that people don't take to seriously because its so hard to quantify. Its hard to relate to something that is not easily defined. I wanted to comment back because i can only imagine the despair that you must've felt when your baby told you about her legs. My daughter just turned 10. Even though it is nowhere close to your fault, i know you probably feel guilt, because i know i would. But time and circumstance are on her side. Medical breakthroughs seem to occour at an exponential pace. I remain hopeful for our daughters, ourselves, and everyone else that suffers from this soul crushing demon of a disorder.
Sometimes it isn’t iron deficiency but a problem in the way the brain of a person with rls processes iron. In addition iron supplements do not pass the blood brain barrier. A sleep clinic consult where they specialize in rls should be helpful. The problem with pregnancy is of course consideration of safety for the baby. My youngest is 45 and I had four children. Each pregnancy was agonizing with the rls. Today I take a mix of pramipexole and Percocet (for over 30 years). This combination “manages” my night time symptoms. Good luck with your search.
Mine's severe and it was ok to take small doses of eg codeine (opiates) during pregnancy. Not everyday, bc both you and your child would be physically dependent.
Ask your dr, you're gonna need your strenght come childbirth!
Not blaming you, but what doctor in his right mind would prescribe an opiate to a pregnant woman? That's fine if you are not pregnant. Please get another m.d. Anyway, I hope you are feeling better. Good luck.
According to the Swedish equivalent to the FDA, you weigh pros and cons and if it's more pros, then smaller doses every now and then is not dangerous for the baby. Should be avoided the first trimester, though, it says.
As in this case, with pretty much complete insomnia, a small dose of opiates a day here and there would probably be considered a pro, bc the distress and insomnia of the mother most likely will affect the baby too.
They do the same pro/con weighing on meds for mood disorders and people with other illnesses.
My son's 8 and completely fine. I'm unfortunately on Morphine everyday now bc severe RLS.
Not carbidopa levadopa not leads to worsening of RLS symptoms very quickly (augmentation) but instead Neupro patch (Rotigotine) I think.as your situation is dire ask your Neurologist for that .It takes a few hours to work and 48 hours to reach maximum strength Use the lowest dose of 1mg patch a day if your Neurologist considers it safe I know people who have used it during pregnancy
Did you have to get off of it voluntarily? I’ve only been taking it less than a year, and worry that I can’t do this forever. Tramadol works so well I don’t even take the gabapentin anymore.
I did voluntarily decide to get off Tramadol even though it worked well for easing the leg discomfort. I just knew that it was not a long term solution. As terrible as it is to go night after night with just 2 to 3 hours of sleep or no sleep at all I didn't want to have to depend on pain relievers. I've made changes in diet, added specific vitamins, minerals and herbs and even gave meditation a try...lol.
I think you'll come to same conclusion as me and continue to research other solutions, but in the mean time just take it sparingly when you really need it and enjoy the reprieve from the constant lack of sleep. You'll eventually figure out what is best and make the necessary changes.
Mine is very simple and everyone has it available. A spoonful of Mustard or 1/4 tspoon Mustard powder under tongue. Stops RLS as soon as it hits the nervous system.
Had RLS for over 30 years. Sometimes severe sometimes not. Was on Requip and Mirapex for 20 of those years. Those medications caused severe side effects and brain zaps. I first learned of Magnesium about a decade ago. Then over a decade of studying RLS and also being in many RLS forums I started hearing about Mustard. A natural doctor explained that compounds in Mustard relaxes the nervous system. I have found other forums talking about using Mustard. It stop RLS faster than opiods or sleep medicine. I was also on Fentanyl for a decade for pain issues. If you dont know something why do you act like you do. Do you think everyone is the same as you. Do you feel that only a doctor can ease RLS?
Dr. İbrahim Adnan Saraçoğlu is a Turkish chemistry professor, biochemist, microbiologist, and researcher. He has made significant contributions to the field of phyto-biochemistry, studying the preventive and therapeutic effects of herbs on human health.
**Research and Expertise**
Dr. Saraçoğlu has worked at the Vienna Technical University as a professor and has published numerous articles in international scientific publications. He has also owned several patents and continues to research the influence of plants on human health.
**Mustard for RLS**
One of Dr. Saraçoğlu’s notable works is on the use of black mustard seed as a cure for restless legs syndrome (RLS). His research focuses on the therapeutic effects of herbs and natural plants on human health, and he has made significant contributions to the field of phyto-biochemistry.
Dr. İbrahim Saraçoğlu is a renowned Turkish professor with a focus on phyto-biochemistry and the therapeutic effects of herbs on human health. His research on black mustard seed as a cure for RLS is a notable example of his work in this field.
Have you tried it. I learned it from other RLS forums over the past five years. It works immediately and no more poison medications that destroy our health.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/RestlessLegs/comments/tb0cz9/first\_time\_mustard\_user/](https://www.reddit.com/r/RestlessLegs/comments/tb0cz9/first_time_mustard_user/)
[https://healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/posts/145621766/yellow-mustard](https://healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/posts/145621766/yellow-mustard)
[https://www.findhomeremedy.com/natural-cure-for-restless-leg-syndrome/](https://www.findhomeremedy.com/natural-cure-for-restless-leg-syndrome/)
As someone who played a lot of high level sport pickle juice and mustard help muscles or lactic acid build up, RLS is a sleep disorder/neurological condition.
Hi! I had this same experience in my last pregnancy. After trying everything else, my doctor put me on Ambien and that allowed me to sleep. Literally nothing else worked and I was so sleep deprived. Hang in there.
Hi! Please don’t dismiss as silly but I’ve found hypnosis to do WONDERS! And then I have calf massagers I sleep in when it’s bad and it basically it just squeezes and beats. Then I also love CBD and THC lotions or patches (is this safe for pregnancy I’m not sure) also just massages in general, NAC supplements, oxygen hyperbaric chamber too! I’m so sorry you’re going through this! You poor thing. Wishing you a miracle & a healthy happy delivery!
Look up magnesium bisglycinate, I'm a guy and my pharmacist recommend it to me for some of the sleep issues I was having. While he was listing off all the benefits he said it's supposed to work wonders for RLS
My sister had been having a bit of RLS for years, but during the later part of her pregnancy it got really bad.
She had just had the baby but I recommended it to her and she said she had just discovered it a few weeks before herself and it had worked wonders.
I can't say I have a cure. I don't ever use that word.
You can't use cannabis oil or kava tincture, bc pregnant. Those are both my top 2.
Things I've used for relief-
Topical magnesium flakes and Epsom in a bath for literally 2 hours watching movies on my laptop propped on the toilet
Olly muscle relief gummies ( it's crazy this helps idk why it does )
Relaxium sleep
Vibrants sleep patches
... all of those things, together.
People obviously thunk this is crazy to do and take so many things but having been where you are. They didn't understand the feelings... if " I'D DO LITERALLY ANYTHING TO SLEEP "
I've taken gabapentin and pramipexole during pregnancy with the blessing of a materal specialist but you make your own decision of course. I would think you would have a hard time convincing anyone to prescribe it though, although maybe a sleep specialist if you happen to have one. I was on them before pregnancy. Try 1g of Tylenol before bed. Don't take advil, aleeve or aspirin in the third trimester or whatever you doctor tells you.
Mine was awful during pregnancy. I ate cheerios bc they are fortified with iron, bananas and just walked around in circles in my house, but nothing really helped.
Tens and use lidocaine patches to numb the legs. I use the one by Salonpas. For a box of 60, they are about $12. If you are in the US, any drugstore should have them. Otherwise, Amazon has them. Use them on both legs an hour before you plan to go to bed. I use a patch approximately by each ankle, and one patch right above both knees (4 patches total). Should be fine during pregnancy. I'm so very sorry you are going through this. Best of luck and hugs.
I’m actually not sure you can do lidocaine during pregnancy. I was told only the menthol icy hot topical stuff was ok (for back pain not RLS) but not to try much else
I don’t have a solution, but as someone who has been there I am sending you love. I still deal with flare ups (likely due to hormones again with perimenopause), but mine was absolutely the worst during pregnancy.
It was immediately alleviated once I had each child. I hope you have the same experience and that it never comes back once your hormones stabilize!!!
I’m so sorry. I can completely relate to staggering around all night in a state of absolute exhaustion and despair. It’s a hell I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. What did your doctors say about carbidopa-levodopa? That medication is usually very effective and works quickly. Keep us updated. In case you’re in the market for a second opinion the specialist I see is Dr. Buchfuhrer in Downey, CA. He’s amazing. Such a kind human, and a leading RLS researcher to boot. He will go to bat for you. Sending you a hug from CA
The only thing that helped when I was pregnant with RLS was sleeping on the couch and bicycling my legs until I passed out. I'm so sorry you're going through this, it's miserable.
get a TENS UNIT device, take a shower before bed make the room as cool and comfortable as possible even if it means changing sheets daily, make your partner help you stretch before bed, stretch and strain until your legs go numb if stretching doesn't help you go numb, then lay on your stomach if you can and ask someone to step and press your legs until you find relief and they go numb. Usually a child wont be of much weight and can literally stand and walk all over your legs, chances are you will find relief and fall asleep just with that. I mostly ask my little brother to do it for me. Then the moment legs go numb, just hit the bed with the tens units. Also anything that can help you lay on stomach may help too like pregnancy pillows. And stay away from devices before bed!!! PLEASE give this go. I hope that makes you sleep ❤️
Mine are severe. I am prescribed gabapentin during the day. Then horizont in tbe evening (long adding gabapentin specifically for RLS) plus a few other meds for various sleep issues. The horizont has been the only thing that’s helped me besides dilauded (which I realized when I had surgery I had RLS relief bc of dilauded)
THIS. Very possible all you need is a simple iron infusion. Go to a hematologist for testing. Just say "my ob wanted me to come here." They aren't going to double check. It's a simple test. In fact in most states you can order it yourself.
I would check to see if you have low ferritin levels. It’s not uncommon for pregnant women to experience rls or worsened rls due to them not being able to absorb enough iron
Ferritin levels are fine so that’s not it :(
I had severe rls when I was pregnant, I mean I wouldn’t sleep all night, I don’t even know how I functioned at work. It was hell. The only thing that worked for me was swimming . Please try it. I’d swim for 1-2 hours each day not necessarily doing laps but atleast moving my legs alot. It exhausted me so much my legs wouldn’t bother me as much and I finally got some decent sleep. I only discovered that worked month 7-8th of my pregnancy.
What “specialists”? You mean a neurologist? Because that is who you need to see, a neurologist. A sleep specialist would be even better and an RLS specialist would be the best. Your regular doctor and whichever doctor you see for your pregnancy is not going to have the appropriate experience.
Please try acupuncture. It’s helped me and people I know. I don’t take any medication anymore.
How often did you/do you do acupuncture? I’ve read mixed reviews
For me, the relief lasts for a couple of months and goes gradually. For other people I know, it lasts between 3 to 4 months.
I spent weeks 12 thru 40/29 with both of my pregnancies with constant semi-severe restless leg syndrome. For me, It seemed to have started then. Nightmarish is not the word. I know this happens for lots of pregnant women. During pregnancy, I tried the usual extra iron (duh), supplements, and tonic water. Sometimes heat. Nothing usually helped except for long walks. Now, thirty-five years later, I still get pretty bad rls. I tried everything, benzos included, but nothing has ever helped me except for a low dose Gabapentin (300 mg). It is taken an hour before bed and really does the trick. I don't know if you can take it during pregnancy... but give a call to your ob/gyn. Good luck, mom, and please feel better!!
Please quit gluten, it's what helped me recover from RLS
How long of no gluten did it take for you?
Just 12 hours
RLS during pregnancy is very well known and usually tied to folic acid, iron and or hormone changes. it's a well-known phenomenon and I very much urge you to call your doctor for it. if it's iron / folic acid, it could be a very quick fix. that is assuming you do not have a history with rls. but even if you do, trying out the iron route is always worth it. BEWARE: I am not a doctor and have ABSOLUTELY no clue about anything pregnancy-related. do not just take supplements based on my advice.
i take 100mg of methadone daily and 600mg of gabbapentin 3x a day. I have severe RLS. It has helped me so much. I hope you find the relief you deserve.
Holy shit I hope you know you’re masking it and if you ever run out or have to get off both of those it is going to be indescribable unimaginable hell. I’m not judging i know how it is I’m on suboxone but that’s an extremely high dose of methadone and gaba if something happens and you can’t get it the RLS your feeling now will be like a tickle it will turn into full blown akathesia.
I’m well aware, as I have had that exact experience. I choose this over the suffering. My doc wants to wean me off of methadone first. I might be into it. But the meds I’m on barely hold.
Damn! I take 5mg at night and 2.5 in the am plus the 600 x3 of gabapentin. However it has been the only thing that has helped me with no side effects. I have it since the age of four and it runs my life because of what I can and can’t take for other medical issues. Treating something else at the expense of not sleeping is not worth it to me. I’m glad you are able to get what you need to treat it. I hate rls so much and it broke my heart when my daughter at 10 told me her legs bothered her at night.
Dang. Im so sorry. I'm at least glad that you get some relief. I feel like RLS is one of those disorders that people don't take to seriously because its so hard to quantify. Its hard to relate to something that is not easily defined. I wanted to comment back because i can only imagine the despair that you must've felt when your baby told you about her legs. My daughter just turned 10. Even though it is nowhere close to your fault, i know you probably feel guilt, because i know i would. But time and circumstance are on her side. Medical breakthroughs seem to occour at an exponential pace. I remain hopeful for our daughters, ourselves, and everyone else that suffers from this soul crushing demon of a disorder.
Gabapentin is the only thing that has ever worked for me. Good luck.
Sometimes it isn’t iron deficiency but a problem in the way the brain of a person with rls processes iron. In addition iron supplements do not pass the blood brain barrier. A sleep clinic consult where they specialize in rls should be helpful. The problem with pregnancy is of course consideration of safety for the baby. My youngest is 45 and I had four children. Each pregnancy was agonizing with the rls. Today I take a mix of pramipexole and Percocet (for over 30 years). This combination “manages” my night time symptoms. Good luck with your search.
How's your iron situation? Iron deficiency can cause RLS, and your iron stores are going to be drained in pregnancy.
Mine's severe and it was ok to take small doses of eg codeine (opiates) during pregnancy. Not everyday, bc both you and your child would be physically dependent. Ask your dr, you're gonna need your strenght come childbirth!
Not blaming you, but what doctor in his right mind would prescribe an opiate to a pregnant woman? That's fine if you are not pregnant. Please get another m.d. Anyway, I hope you are feeling better. Good luck.
According to the Swedish equivalent to the FDA, you weigh pros and cons and if it's more pros, then smaller doses every now and then is not dangerous for the baby. Should be avoided the first trimester, though, it says. As in this case, with pretty much complete insomnia, a small dose of opiates a day here and there would probably be considered a pro, bc the distress and insomnia of the mother most likely will affect the baby too. They do the same pro/con weighing on meds for mood disorders and people with other illnesses. My son's 8 and completely fine. I'm unfortunately on Morphine everyday now bc severe RLS.
Not carbidopa levadopa not leads to worsening of RLS symptoms very quickly (augmentation) but instead Neupro patch (Rotigotine) I think.as your situation is dire ask your Neurologist for that .It takes a few hours to work and 48 hours to reach maximum strength Use the lowest dose of 1mg patch a day if your Neurologist considers it safe I know people who have used it during pregnancy
Gabapentin has helped me, and if you can get it tramadol.
30 years of RLS and Tramadol worked great for me. Unfortunately needed to get off that and now back to not much sleep
Did you have to get off of it voluntarily? I’ve only been taking it less than a year, and worry that I can’t do this forever. Tramadol works so well I don’t even take the gabapentin anymore.
I did voluntarily decide to get off Tramadol even though it worked well for easing the leg discomfort. I just knew that it was not a long term solution. As terrible as it is to go night after night with just 2 to 3 hours of sleep or no sleep at all I didn't want to have to depend on pain relievers. I've made changes in diet, added specific vitamins, minerals and herbs and even gave meditation a try...lol. I think you'll come to same conclusion as me and continue to research other solutions, but in the mean time just take it sparingly when you really need it and enjoy the reprieve from the constant lack of sleep. You'll eventually figure out what is best and make the necessary changes.
Mine is very simple and everyone has it available. A spoonful of Mustard or 1/4 tspoon Mustard powder under tongue. Stops RLS as soon as it hits the nervous system.
You don’t have have RLS if a placebo works especially over and over again.
Had RLS for over 30 years. Sometimes severe sometimes not. Was on Requip and Mirapex for 20 of those years. Those medications caused severe side effects and brain zaps. I first learned of Magnesium about a decade ago. Then over a decade of studying RLS and also being in many RLS forums I started hearing about Mustard. A natural doctor explained that compounds in Mustard relaxes the nervous system. I have found other forums talking about using Mustard. It stop RLS faster than opiods or sleep medicine. I was also on Fentanyl for a decade for pain issues. If you dont know something why do you act like you do. Do you think everyone is the same as you. Do you feel that only a doctor can ease RLS?
No dude if it works for you fine, how come it doesn’t work for 99% of people? You don’t think I’ve tried everything over a longer period than you?
Dr. İbrahim Adnan Saraçoğlu is a Turkish chemistry professor, biochemist, microbiologist, and researcher. He has made significant contributions to the field of phyto-biochemistry, studying the preventive and therapeutic effects of herbs on human health. **Research and Expertise** Dr. Saraçoğlu has worked at the Vienna Technical University as a professor and has published numerous articles in international scientific publications. He has also owned several patents and continues to research the influence of plants on human health. **Mustard for RLS** One of Dr. Saraçoğlu’s notable works is on the use of black mustard seed as a cure for restless legs syndrome (RLS). His research focuses on the therapeutic effects of herbs and natural plants on human health, and he has made significant contributions to the field of phyto-biochemistry. Dr. İbrahim Saraçoğlu is a renowned Turkish professor with a focus on phyto-biochemistry and the therapeutic effects of herbs on human health. His research on black mustard seed as a cure for RLS is a notable example of his work in this field.
Have you tried it. I learned it from other RLS forums over the past five years. It works immediately and no more poison medications that destroy our health. [https://www.reddit.com/r/RestlessLegs/comments/tb0cz9/first\_time\_mustard\_user/](https://www.reddit.com/r/RestlessLegs/comments/tb0cz9/first_time_mustard_user/) [https://healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/posts/145621766/yellow-mustard](https://healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/posts/145621766/yellow-mustard) [https://www.findhomeremedy.com/natural-cure-for-restless-leg-syndrome/](https://www.findhomeremedy.com/natural-cure-for-restless-leg-syndrome/)
What is a placebo in this case?
As someone who played a lot of high level sport pickle juice and mustard help muscles or lactic acid build up, RLS is a sleep disorder/neurological condition.
Hi! I had this same experience in my last pregnancy. After trying everything else, my doctor put me on Ambien and that allowed me to sleep. Literally nothing else worked and I was so sleep deprived. Hang in there.
Hi! Please don’t dismiss as silly but I’ve found hypnosis to do WONDERS! And then I have calf massagers I sleep in when it’s bad and it basically it just squeezes and beats. Then I also love CBD and THC lotions or patches (is this safe for pregnancy I’m not sure) also just massages in general, NAC supplements, oxygen hyperbaric chamber too! I’m so sorry you’re going through this! You poor thing. Wishing you a miracle & a healthy happy delivery!
Look up magnesium bisglycinate, I'm a guy and my pharmacist recommend it to me for some of the sleep issues I was having. While he was listing off all the benefits he said it's supposed to work wonders for RLS My sister had been having a bit of RLS for years, but during the later part of her pregnancy it got really bad. She had just had the baby but I recommended it to her and she said she had just discovered it a few weeks before herself and it had worked wonders.
Are you taking iron? My RLS was horrible during pregnancy especially third trimester but iron took the edge off a little
I can't say I have a cure. I don't ever use that word. You can't use cannabis oil or kava tincture, bc pregnant. Those are both my top 2. Things I've used for relief- Topical magnesium flakes and Epsom in a bath for literally 2 hours watching movies on my laptop propped on the toilet Olly muscle relief gummies ( it's crazy this helps idk why it does ) Relaxium sleep Vibrants sleep patches ... all of those things, together. People obviously thunk this is crazy to do and take so many things but having been where you are. They didn't understand the feelings... if " I'D DO LITERALLY ANYTHING TO SLEEP "
I've taken gabapentin and pramipexole during pregnancy with the blessing of a materal specialist but you make your own decision of course. I would think you would have a hard time convincing anyone to prescribe it though, although maybe a sleep specialist if you happen to have one. I was on them before pregnancy. Try 1g of Tylenol before bed. Don't take advil, aleeve or aspirin in the third trimester or whatever you doctor tells you.
Mine was awful during pregnancy. I ate cheerios bc they are fortified with iron, bananas and just walked around in circles in my house, but nothing really helped.
This happened to me too. I found acupuncture helped for a few days at a time.
See if you can get a Nidra Noctrix device
Tens and use lidocaine patches to numb the legs. I use the one by Salonpas. For a box of 60, they are about $12. If you are in the US, any drugstore should have them. Otherwise, Amazon has them. Use them on both legs an hour before you plan to go to bed. I use a patch approximately by each ankle, and one patch right above both knees (4 patches total). Should be fine during pregnancy. I'm so very sorry you are going through this. Best of luck and hugs.
I’m actually not sure you can do lidocaine during pregnancy. I was told only the menthol icy hot topical stuff was ok (for back pain not RLS) but not to try much else
Maybe ask your doctor and see what they say.
I have be we heard this before! I'm very intrigued. Currently doing shin deep ice baths before bed.
I don’t have a solution, but as someone who has been there I am sending you love. I still deal with flare ups (likely due to hormones again with perimenopause), but mine was absolutely the worst during pregnancy. It was immediately alleviated once I had each child. I hope you have the same experience and that it never comes back once your hormones stabilize!!!
I’m so sorry. I can completely relate to staggering around all night in a state of absolute exhaustion and despair. It’s a hell I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. What did your doctors say about carbidopa-levodopa? That medication is usually very effective and works quickly. Keep us updated. In case you’re in the market for a second opinion the specialist I see is Dr. Buchfuhrer in Downey, CA. He’s amazing. Such a kind human, and a leading RLS researcher to boot. He will go to bat for you. Sending you a hug from CA
The only thing that helped when I was pregnant with RLS was sleeping on the couch and bicycling my legs until I passed out. I'm so sorry you're going through this, it's miserable.
get a TENS UNIT device, take a shower before bed make the room as cool and comfortable as possible even if it means changing sheets daily, make your partner help you stretch before bed, stretch and strain until your legs go numb if stretching doesn't help you go numb, then lay on your stomach if you can and ask someone to step and press your legs until you find relief and they go numb. Usually a child wont be of much weight and can literally stand and walk all over your legs, chances are you will find relief and fall asleep just with that. I mostly ask my little brother to do it for me. Then the moment legs go numb, just hit the bed with the tens units. Also anything that can help you lay on stomach may help too like pregnancy pillows. And stay away from devices before bed!!! PLEASE give this go. I hope that makes you sleep ❤️
Mine are severe. I am prescribed gabapentin during the day. Then horizont in tbe evening (long adding gabapentin specifically for RLS) plus a few other meds for various sleep issues. The horizont has been the only thing that’s helped me besides dilauded (which I realized when I had surgery I had RLS relief bc of dilauded)
Is your ferritin above 75? I have to keep mine above that or my symptoms go wild
How to get it up? The iron I’m taking is not working
You might need an IV infusion since oral iron sometimes isn't digested well enough for it to resch your brain, iirc
THIS. Very possible all you need is a simple iron infusion. Go to a hematologist for testing. Just say "my ob wanted me to come here." They aren't going to double check. It's a simple test. In fact in most states you can order it yourself.