Restless Leg Syndrome

Hello Dr. Keefe

I have Restless Leg Syndrome and take a prescription medicine Carbidopa/Levo 25/100 in the evenings. This is the only Rx I am prescribed.  I am trying to get pregnant am still taking the Rx. I have done some reading on this drug and it is not recommended to take during pregnancy.  Do you know of any Rx that would be a safer alternative?  I have tried every non rx to relieve it, but nothing works. My ob/gyn said "we don't usually treat RLS in pregnancy".  I have a severe case of this syndrome, and cannot sleep without the rx.  It is the most miserable thing to have.  Do you have any suggestions or alternatives?

[Mrs06chris]

I suffer from RLS as well and am 8 weeks pg. I am not able to take anything for it. If you hear of anything you can take while pg, please let me know.

[orphanannie59]

How are you doing it?  I stopped taking my meds when I found out I was pregnant (surprise) in Dec.  I m/c 4 days later and thought I was going to go crazy from lack of sleep in just 4 days.  I have tried everything I have read, heard, etc and nothing relieves it.  Did your dr tell you there was nothing? I don't think people who have never experienced it can imagine.

[baby9]

i don't know if it is safe in pregnancy, but the newest medication that is supposed to be breat for RLS is called REQUIP.  You can google it.... I think it is made by Glaxosmithkline.

i know it is supposed to work wonders, but you have to check about the use in pregnancy.

[girlybuff]

Requip IS great but it's NOT safe during pregnancy.  Unfortunately there is no drug out there safe for RLS during pregnancy.
I had it the entire 9 months and during labor and when a contraction hit, it was the WORST.
I did try something called......Night Time Leg Calm by Nature's Inventory.  It's a pray you pump onto your hands and rub it on your lower back.  I swear it worked for me......It's grapeseed and other oils.  You canfind it at naturesinventory.com.
Good luck!!

[Mozartcowgirl]

I have RLS as well.. for some reason. it got worse aroud my 26th week of pregnancy... then.. at about 32 weeks.. it got alot better..

the only thing i can think .. that helped it.. was.. takig mag/calcium in liquid form.. i also take iron.. i also walked alot...

the one thing .. that I will admit too... is i bought a huge back massager.. i turned it on at the bottom of my bed at night.. and for some reason.. it works!!! you should try it!!! the vibration seems to do SOMETHING.. i dont know. but.. it not only helped my legs.. but. it put me to sleep...lol
i hope that you find something that works!!