RLS in hospital bed

[davidadill]

I am on a hospital bed and I cannot stand up. I'm going to be here several months, and I have RLS. What do I do?

[LotteM]

Talk to the nurses and the doctors. Inform them of your rls and what it involves- they may not know or appreciate. Be clear that you need to continue your treatment - I assume you take medicines for the rls? Also other things that are relevant, such as medicines (anti-nausea for example) that may severely increase the rls and thus most likely (?) interfere with your current treatment. Do you have access to the information you need? Start with rls-uk.org, but additional info can be found on rls.org (far more if you are a member) or rls-info.org.

I hope your ailment that brought your into hospital is not life-threatening and above all that your stay will not worsen your rls. Anyway, get well soon!

[Joolsg]

Have you informed the hospital about your RLS? I attach a medical help sheey for when people with RLSare hospitalised.Please show it to the staff.

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[davidadill in reply to Joolsg]

I can only read the title. Perhaps if I had the author"s I could find it online.

[Joolsg in reply to davidadill]

David there are no authors. It's an official handout from rls.org, the USA foundation. They only allow access to their website by members BUT ask the hospital to look up rls.org as there is a help section for professionals.I'll précis the advice below:

1. Discuss your RLS with the doctors and anesthesiologists.

2. Take all your RLS meds to cover the entire hospital stay.

3. Tell the staff about the timings of your RLS meds.

4. Tell the staff about any RLS triggers.

5. After surgery or being immobile, the staff should be prepared to treat breakthrough RLS with low dose opioids.

6.Alert medical staff that anti emetics with dopamine-antagonist properties and opioid antagonists should be avoided as they worsen RLS.

7 Safe anti nauseates are

Kyrtil, transderm scop patch, vistaril,Zofran

8 All antidepressants and anti histamines can worsen RLS. Safe alternatives are trazodone, wellbutrin, lamotrigine, depakote, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine. Safe anti histamines are Allegra,, clarinex, claritin, zyrtwc

9. Safe sleep aids are ambien, lunesta, sonata, suvorexant.

Show this to the doctor in charge.

Sadly, RLS isn't taught at med school or during post grad training and medical staff are unaware how serious it is.

It is essential you inform them of the need for low dose opioids to cover breakthrough RLS and that they are aware of the list of meds that worsen RLS.

Jools

[Nettles68]

Hello davidadill, I am so sorry to hear of your predicament!

LotteM and Joolsg are experienced forum members and have offered you excellent advice.

I just wanted to say my thoughts are with you and I hope you have a good outcome to your situation.

[Joolsg]

The second page to show staff.

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[davidadill in reply to Joolsg]

I cannot read this. Can send a bigger version or a video link?

[Joolsg in reply to davidadill]

I'm so sorry I can't as it's a photo of my magazine from the US foundation for RLS. Do you have a smartphone with a zoom feature? I'm happy to send by email to a member of the hospital staff or you if that helps. You can send me a private message and I can email to you.There's no website link unless you're a member of RLS USA.

[davidadill in reply to Joolsg]

I want you to email the article again.

[davidadill in reply to davidadill]

Please email it to me. I do not know how to increase the size.

[Joolsg in reply to davidadill]

I've sent you another email. The pages are attached. If you can't read, please ask staff for help. They can print out the pages.Jools

[Jumpey]

Jools has given you the info you need. Hope all goes well for you and you are able to manage your RLS.x

[Joolsg]

I've replied so maybe delete your email as everyone can see it.

I have just deleted the email address, Joolsg. (Kaarina - Admin)

[Joolsg in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Kaarina. 😊

[davidadill in reply to Joolsg]

Could you please send it again?

[Joolsg in reply to davidadill]

David, see my typed reply above. I typed all the meds to avoid. Please show to the medical staff.

[Joolsg in reply to davidadill]

I'll attach the photo again and see if you can zoom in on it with your phone or show a lap top to the Staff.

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[Joolsg in reply to Joolsg]

The second page

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[davidadill in reply to Joolsg]

Please email it.

[Joolsg in reply to davidadill]

David you have to click on the image first and then zoom in. Or ask staff to do it for you.

[Ducatidave]

Dave. Experiment with ‘heat bags’ and also tapping/hitting (not extremely) the area of your RLS. Pease give feedback.

Dave