RLS worse after TKR

[Kevrelle]

Has anyone else had this happen. I haven't had a decent night sleep for months and now even though the pain has nearly gone I still cant sleep due to restless legs. Yesterday my GP prescribed Sifrol 0.025 mg. I took 1 last night but it didn't help very much. I am also concerned about taking it because of the possible side effects. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

[Scottie99]

I sympathise. I am much the same. I had my left knee replaced about 30 months ago.

Prior to that, I suffered RLS in both legs, now it’s almost exclusively in the left. If I have a very bad attack ( most days!), my knee feels like the is a very tight belt round it. The pain is terrible.

I am on 150 mg Pregagalin, twice a day and 1mg Ropinerole twice a day. The drugs are much less effective due to augmentation.

I have a static exercise bike. When I get an attack I pedal that for up to 30 mins. That can help ease symptoms

[Kevrelle in reply to Scottie99]

I had a little trouble sleeping before my TKR and had restless legs on occasion. I didn't realise that the oxycodone helped with RLS until after i stopped taking them. It's almost impossible to get a script for them here after the first few months. I also have the tight band around my knee most days. I will try the exercise bike and see how I go. My ROM is still only 90 so movement is limited. I'm trying to be patient.

[Smiler53]

So sorry to hear that you are suffering so badly after your TKR.

I've had both mine replaced during the last 2 years and it was through having them done that has helped my rls due to be given Oxycodone by the hospital for pain relief. When i finished the course of Oxy, rls came back with vengence and I only picked up on why I had no rls during and after TKR by reading about Oxy on this site. I now take 5mg Oxy am 10mg Oxy pm + 75mg Pregabalin to help me sleep.

I hope you can find something soon that will help you too. X

[Kevrelle in reply to Smiler53]

Thanks for your kind words. I definitely wasn't prepared for the TKR or what has followed. Just trying to stick with it and find some relief. I hate relying on medication but sometimes there doesn't seem to be a choice.

[cedesigns749]

As one of the new disciples of CBD.

May not be for you, but like you go to GP come out armed with 5 more pills per day that had no effect, Down to Holland and Barrett, not cheap but from first days dosage sleep, and every night since June I have slept and body trying to get more by sending 'Time for Bed' signals at 9 o'clock.

[Kevrelle]

Hi, what's CBD. I e tried some over the counter sleep meds but they haven't worked and left me feeling hung over for most of the day.

[Zedz]

I had only had occasional RLS during pregnancy and as a child, until 1 week post op hip replacement and have daily RLS now for 10 yrs

[rls_optimist]

Sorry to hear what you're going through. Have you had your blood iron (ferritin) levels checked? Even if it's in the normal range, it is often too low (i.e. below 75 or 100) for RLS sufferers. You may be a candidate for oral iron therapy or even IV iron infusions. I'd suggest discussing this with your doctor. Also, that dosage of Sifrol is unlikely to make any difference. Being a dopamine agonist, one must approach it with caution. But a little more might help, and still not result in augmentation. Other options might be the alpha-2-delta class of drugs like gabapentin or Lyrica, either alone or with a low (but slightly higher) dose of Sifrol. But definitely start with getting your ferritin checked. Good luck.

[beady3]

I am like you the doc just prescribes the meds but the side affects are awful , they scare me ,