Managing RLS through hip surgery

[Deesee]

Any thoughts on managing RLS through hip surgery are needed. I’ve recently reduced my Neupro patch from 3mg to 1mg, and plan to slowly reduce that with cutting it by 1/4mg but need to time that after an iron infusion which I need about every three months. Also I think surgery should be timed a few weeks after an infusion when my ferritin level is up. Maybe I need to wait till after surgery to continue decreasing the Neupro. I’m taking 2100 mg gabapentin through the day, 600mg in the morning, 600 mg in the afternoon, 300 at 7p.m and 600 before bed. Also I have hydrocodone to sleep. Has anyone been through surgery or knows the best way to manage? I’m afraid of too much down time leading to tortuous RLS.

[SueJohnson]

Tell your doctors and anesthesiologists about your RLS and its symptoms and that you need your medicine. Also talk with the patient representative ahead of time. It is a good idea to bring your own medicine, but don't tell them you have it since they will insist on giving you medicine prescribed by the hospital. That way if they don't follow through you can take the medicine you brought. If it would be difficult to get to it, have a friend bring some. Tell them not to give you any sedating antihistamines or sedating anti-nausea medications. Instead insist they use Zofran for anti-nausea.

[SueJohnson]

If you join the the Restless Legs Foundation which is in the US at rls.org they have a medical alert card that you can show your doctors, that tells them about the condition and what will happen after surgery and what medicines to avoid. An international membership costs $45.

[Deesee in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you for that suggestion, I will definitely bring my meds with me. I was concerned about that. I will be sure to advocate for myself with the doc about sedating meds. I had already talked to him about the zofran, and that what he usually uses, so that’s good. I’ve signed up with the RLS foundation last year, it’s so useful.

[cumoneileen]

Hi, I have had both hip replacements i still took my ropinerole after 2nd replacement. First replacement i was in for longer, they gave me co codamol it worked while I was in hospital. After I came out I went back on ropinerole.

[SueJohnson in reply to cumoneileen]

Have you thought about coming off ropinirole? Up to 70% of people will eventually suffer augmentation according to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which believe me you don't want because it can be hell to come off it and the longer you are on it, the harder it will be to come off it. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which discusses augmentation and the latest guidelines on RLS treatment.

Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

[TajarTales]

I just want to echo the other suggestions that were posted. I had both of my hips replaced, and didn't have any trouble with the RLS. I talked to the anesthesiologist about it before the surgery to be sure he didn't give me anything that would make it worse, and I also talked to my surgeon. They had me up and walking shortly afterward, so that helped. I was very relieved to have had the procedure. It's nice to be able to walk without pain.

[Deesee in reply to TajarTales]

Your reply is encouraging, and thank you. We’re you taking any Dopamine agonist at the time? I’m on the Neupro patch, down to 1 mg presently. I’m mostly concerned about augmentation increasing with a drop in ferritin after surgery. Apparently ferritin levels drop with loss of blood.

[TajarTales in reply to Deesee]

I'm also on the Neupro patch (2 mg) along with gabapentin 600 mg. I didn't notice any change in my symptoms after surgery. I was on a low dose opioid for a short while afterward, but I don't recall the name of it.