RLS and vancomycin infusions

I had to have my shoulder implant removed and replaced due to a subclinical infection with Propiobacterium acnes (the acne-causing organism) It is normal flora but for males on testosterone who have had a shoulder replacement, there is a MUCH higher risk of getting a shoulder implant infection with this organism. No physician ever told me that until the infectious disease doctor told me. My knee implants are fine. (just a word of warning to talk to your physician if you are in a similar situation)

The issue I am dealing with is that I am on 6 weeks of home antibiotic therapy. I was an RN before retiring so I am giving them to myself through a PICC line. I have noticed a severe increase in RLS symptoms halfway through the 3 hour vancomycin infusions that lasts a good 2-3 hours afterwards. This is despite really good control otherwise with methadone and the occasional oxycodone for breakthrough RLS. It is always worse with the evening dose of vancomycin, but I do get a noticeable increase in my RLS with the morning dose as well. Last evening's dose was started about 2 hours after the evening methadone. I am limited to 4 supplemental oxycodones (5 mg tablets) a day and wound up taking them all within an hour. It was not a pleasant evening.

Has anyone else had this type of reaction to Vancomycin? I would love to hear from you.

Jerold Crawford

Tampa,FL USA

[Joolsg]

Sorry to hear that. Presumably the dose is quite high & it’s intravenous.

I can only suggest probiotics to counteract the antibiotics killing off healthy gut bacteria as well and suppressing mineral absorption.

I really hope you can clear up the infection and that the RLS settles down soon .

[Hidden in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you - I had not considered that. I am on a probiotic though.

[LotteM]

Hi Jerold. No fun what you describe. Have you considered writing or phoning Dr Mark Buchfuhrer in California? You may be able to contact him through his office at Stanford or in Downey, or simply write him an email at [e-mail]. He replies within 1-2 days. Anyway, I hope you don't have to take the antibiotics much longer and that the extra RLS will then resolve immediately.

[Hidden in reply to LotteM]

Thanks - What is this individual's specialty? I have not heard of him before.

[Joolsg in reply to Hidden]

RLS- he’s one of the top experts in the world and replies to all questions and doesn’t charge anything. He is brilliant.

His website has all the questions people have asked him over the last 2 decades and the answers.

[LotteM in reply to Joolsg]

Jerold, Jools has given the answer. I wrote to him twice in the past and got fast and mostly helpful replies.

[Hidden]

Dr. B's website is rlshelp.org

[restlessstoz]

Hi, In response to Jools and Lotte's comments about Dr B. He's the expert -in RLS treatment! I wrote to him from Australia several times and he was wonderful and replied giving great advice. Good luck with your treatment.