It's four o'clock in the morning and I've been walking in a tight circle in my bedroom, on-and-off, for three hours. The feeling I'm battling is hard to describe: an uncomfortable, shuddering, electric almost-pain that is shooting through my legs.

Not long ago I was going up and down the stairs, which proved most relieving for my calves. Before this I was doing yoga poses. Even though my body is driving me on, I'm so tired I can barely open my eyes.

I'm pregnant – and have restless legs syndrome (RLS), a common disorder described by the NHS as an overwhelming urge to move your legs to stop an uncomfortable sensation.

RLS, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, affects feet, calves and thighs in particular – but can affect your arms and torso, too.

I went to the GP, discussed it with five midwives, two consultants, a psychiatrist and a neurologist, but no one knew what to suggest other than a hot bath and wait in the hope it would ease off once I had my baby. That was until I spoke to a GP who suggested a surprisingly common but unusual drug to ease the pain.

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