I am retired and living back in the Cornish town of my birth. Although I have been a member of the Rls support group for many years I have just joined the forum.
Rls was experienced by my paternal Grandmother, my father, one of his sisters, a cousin and now, as well as myself, my daughter is experiencing early signs of the accursed condition.
Past generations did not have the help from medication which I am prescribed - Ropinirole and Gabapentin. At present this normally effective medication is failing me following a total knee replacement 4 weeks ago. I would be interested to hear of anyone who may have had a similar experience. I am rather hoping that once my iron level is back to normal it may improve. The increase in symptoms is only in the operated leg so could it be caused by the swelling?
Any suggestions would be most welcome.
Written by
caracalla
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Many people report that their RLS started after orthopaedic surgery and for those already suffering RLS, many report that these operations worsen their RLS. Another trigger is the anti nausea meds used post operatively. People with RLS react to the usual anti nausea drugs given and, as doctors in this country aren't taught about RLS or the meds that trigger it, you will have been given one that causes issues.Hopefully, it will start to settle within a few weeks but if it doesn't you may need to review your meds, particularly the Ropinirole which is highly effective for most people for a good few years and then it stops working, or worse, causes severe augmentation.
If it doesn't settle, look at your ferritin levels and ensure they are above100. If not, take ferrous bisglycinate every other night.
The spinal anaesthetic will also cause/trigger RLS. My RLS is caused by scarring in my spinal cord ( I also have MS which destroys nerve sheath and neurons in the brain & spinal cord) and scarring, trauma, injury to the spinal cord will trigger RLS. I imagine your RLS may settle once the injection site heals.
However, do keep an eye out for Augmentation. Ropinirole is a miracle drug for years but sadly, augmentation is insidious. Keep the dose as low as possible and keep your serum ferritin above 100, preferably 250, to help avoid it.
For me the interesting point is it's only in the leg which is operated. Personally, my RLS only really became an issue after some nerve and back problems and it's quite common for people with neuropathic pain to suffer RLS. I also find that mine is a lot worse if I really exercise hard and the muscles which are exercised feel like the focus for the urge to move. Those two things plus the article below lead me to suspect that while there is a general condition in the brain which predisposes you to RLS, the state of your nerves in your legs (and elsewhere) is also a factor, possibly making them more receptive or sensitive to signals from the brain. That's my way of explaining what I see and feel.
Yes, it's a complicated condition and I suspect has many factors which combine to cause the symptoms which may be why so many different drugs can help, and also why so many different presentations and experiences exist. And I have to say a significant number of people posting seem to have quite a lot of other issues, many nerve related e.g. fibromyalgia, anxiety ...
Absolutely. I'm sure there are many causes. If anaemia, pregnancy and kidney disease can cause it, there are clearly different mechanisms in place. I'm always so envious of those who post that they've stopped RLS by rubbing magnesium oil on their legs. That's clearly another sub type.If only there were funds for research!!!
Fascinating article, thank you. Lets remain hopeful that soon there will be a development in finding the exact cause and thus enabling a successful treatment.
I had knee repacement 2013 but it became infected and had the kneereplaced four times as the infection could not be treated as they could not find what infection it was iin 2015 had my last replacement when the infection was was found and could be treated but since then have had rls inthe left leg, so have put it down to perhaps damaged all my nerves, but doctor says different who knows
What a beastly time you had. I have heard from my GP and my iron levels are still too low and this never fails to aggravate my Rls so once the new course of iron starts I'm hoping things will begin to improve.Good luck and I hope you are finding the new knee satisfactory.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
RLS runs in families?
25+ years of RLS and it runs in my family
Its so frustrating when family members dont get it!!!!!!
Have any of you have had been told by friends or family that RLS it's only on your mind?
Daridexorant / quvuviq and RLS
