HAS ANYONE HAD SEVERE RLS EPISODES OCCURRING WHILE UNDER SEDATION DURING MEDICAL PROCEDURE?

[IrisRN]

In the past 10 or more years I have needed occasional Epidural injections under sedation due to a spinal injury. Problem is I become combative during most of these procedures and have been lucky that no one has gotten hurt during these occurrences. I thought this was happening due to my personal fear of spinal injections. It happened again and the staff including the two docs and 2 nurses insisted that it was RLS. Has any one else had the problem of having a severe RLS episode during a medical procedure under sedation?

[Doversoul]

Yes I have had that experience. Once when I was having a 30 minute brain scan, and on four separate occasions. I needed 2 ops to insert key hole ops for 4 stents, some years later I had to have a procedure to check the stents, and more recently needed a through internal scan of my Prostrate. On everyone of those occasions despite sedation my legs went into RLS over drive.

Any scan in a tube has the same result. Since I have been prescribed Pregabalin on a good day the RLS has been mild.

[Joolsg]

It could be the sedation meds. If they contained sedating anti histamines or sedating anti nausea meds, that would trigger an RLS episode.I have notified my hospital about the safe options.

[LanaCSR in reply to Joolsg]

Yes, Joolsg is correct. It may be the sedating meds. I don't take anything before tests and never have any problems with RLS during the procedure.

[Janisgoral]

Yes, I had the same thing happen during a simple Colonoscopy that should have taken under an hour. I ended up at the hospital all day. My RLS became so severe they could not complete the procedure. My blood pressure also went dangerously high to where they decided to admit me to the hospital. When I woke my legs felt as though I had run a hundred miles. Luckily, they released me that evening after everything calmed down. But now I am afraid to have anything that involves sedation because of the RLS.

[John_naylor]

I had my first ever hospital treatment in 70 years for a rupture, a minor op and I was only in for the day. I mentioned that I had severe RLS in a pre-operation meeting and raised concerns that I may start flailing around, particularly if restrained. This was taken seriously and the anaesthetist came to see me prior to the operation followed by several ‘interested’ staff. The anaesthetic was changed from the usual one and I had no problems whatsoever. I was very impressed with the NHS staff and would recommend discussing the risk of RLS symptoms during an operation beforehand.

[HeBgBgirl in reply to John_naylor]

That’s great that they included u in the pre op discussion. I agree with above replies to about anti nausea medicine etc. If anesthesiologist knows ( and should know) about RLS then you’ll always be in good hands. I recently had spinal surgery fusion at L4/5 I told orthopedic I have severe RLS. I didn’t move during surgery (at least I wasn’t told I did) however when I woke up in my room I started to get post op RLS ( I believe from wrong anti nausea medicine given) from what I’ve read Zofran is the correct med to give. It was the worst episode of RLS in the 20+ years I’ve had this horrible syndrome!!! I wasn’t supposed to move but I was all over the place from 3:30pm to after midnight! I was screaming for God! One of the nurses after several hours was so visibly upset crying she had to leave the room. I had a second episode 3 days later. No one knew what to do! I kept telling them to get anesthesiologist. He will know. But they did not. I was on a pain pump however I could only press the button in certain time periods. I can’t remember now. I don’t know why the medicine in pump didn’t help? The surgeon should have given me something in spine Maybe to help. During surgery? I do know that when I first was diagnosed with RLS the neurologist gave me opioids along with pramipexole and for years ago was great!I had a double knee replacement 4 years prior and didn’t get RLS at all!! Go figure?!? What I am certain of? Is the opioids work! Oxycodone IR with another extended release like oxymorphone. Until recently in the War on opioids! Even people who need it!! I will say this since my surgery I have been having several episodes a week sometimes daily not crazy but as you get older it is harder to move around with it!!! I could go on on n on. But I digress

[lwyn58]

I have been in this site for at least 10 yrs,. This is the first reply I have ever wrote,. But when I read IrisRN question it brought back memory's, I had hernia surgery about 15 yrs ago,. While in recovery and starting to come to, my rls started acting up and they was scared I was going to kick my legs so much that I would fall out of the bed,. They ended up giving me three shots of morphine before the pain in my legs stopped ,

About a month ago I broke me leg n they had to do surgery and put a rod n my lower leg,. I had told the doctors about my rls and told him to be prepared ,. And it happened just like it did with the hernia surgery.. the problem was , when it gets bad at home I can get up and walk around several times a night n finally go to sleep,. But u can't do that while just getting out of surgery.

I have been on pramipexole for over 20 yrs along with Klonopin.

I have tried everything , even the opiates , they help but as time goes on I was having to take more and more of them .

If anybody is still reading this, lol. Does the medical marijuana help at all,. It seem like it would make it worse coz back when I did try it ( before the rls) it made me sleepy, and that's what brings in my rls is getting sleepy n trying to go to sleep..

To be my first reply , I got carried away .

[HeBgBgirl in reply to lwyn58]

Hi I would say give the medical marijuana a try it helps me sometimes. Try different types like gummies or whatever you prefer. Just be patient give it a chance. If doesn’t work first second third time keep trying. I also use a roll on CBD lotion or oil. Good luck PS opioid always works for me. I just don’t know anymore about any of the meds these Drs give us! I wish I didn’t need them!

[Jukebox55]

Hello there, yes, I recently had this experience at the dentist. About 40 mins into having teeth implant preparations under sedation, I apparently couldn't keep still and he had to stop. My legs were up in the air and wouldn't stay down when pushed down by the anaesthetists. When they aborted the procedure, they left me on my own in a room and the RLS was unbearable. The anaesthetist seemed to think that as it was early morning, I used up all my available dopamine due to the challenge of the sedation. I don't understand this but sounds possible. I have had RLS for 30 years and been on pramipexole for 6. I am now rethinking everything and remember that I have some kind of intolerance to adrenalin in dental injections. I have had a bad experience of hyperventilation following an injection and had to be put upside down in the dentists chair.... maybe this was connected to my RLS??