I'm having a total hip replacement done on the leg I suffer RLS virtually every night.I don't take medication at the moment, due to fears of side effects.
I fear twitching after my operation even more though.
Can anyone recommend what worked for them against RLS? I just need it short term, to help me heal and recover safely
Thank you 🙏🏻
I would suggest .25 mg of ropinirole. Try it before you have your surgery to make sure it works. You may need a little more. But yes this should definitely be temporary although you might be tempted to stay on it, there are better medicines for RLS.
Tell your doctors and anesthesiologists about your RLS and its symptoms and that you need your medicine and ask if there will be any drug interactions from what they will give you. Also talk with the patient representative ahead of time. Tell them not to give you any sedating antihistamines or sedating anti-nausea medications. Instead insist they use Zofran (ondansetron) for anti-nausea. You can download the 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 at rlshelp.org/ although you will need to join the RLS foundation. An international membership is $40, but they have some good information on it and you get their monthly magazine. However the safe antidepressants listed on medical alert card are not antidepressants: Lamotrigine, Carbamazepine, Oxcarbazepine. Also there is a 2 page handout "Surgery and RLS: Patient Guide" on the RLS Foundation website which is very helpful. Also "Hospitalization Checklist for the Patient with RLS" And make sure your ferritin is high as surgery can cause blood loss making your ferritin go down. . RLS-UK also has advice under Useful Resources on their site.
Also after your surgery you need to withdraw slowly from any opioids they gave you. You will have inflammation from the surgery which will make your RLS worse but it will go away.
Another idea is to have your doctor write a note that you carry with you and can show to the hospital about your condition and that you need your medicine.
Thank you for your really informative reply & the time it took you to write it; very appreciated! I'll study it in detail 🙏🏻
Hello, I had total hip replacement and the inflammation settled within 2 months. The opioids help to control the RLS but you'll likely feel breakthrough fidgeting each time you try to lay down to rest. Be diligent about elevating your leg to keep swelling to a minimum (i didn't and really suffered for it). Good luck and tell us how it goes!!
prayers for a quick recovery and less restless leg❤️🩹
Hi, I suspect, though am not an expert, that the opioids that you are given for the pain after surgery will help control the leg symptoms as you don't take anything for your legs at present.
I completely agree with Sue and take the list of medications which affect RLS and give a copy to your anaesthetist and keep spares as well so you can give one to your surgeon. I did that when I had my surgery in January and they were very supportive and followed it to a T.
Do let them know about your RLS prior to surgery and explain that if you have symptoms the only way to alleviate them is standing and jiggling around for hours on end...and and they won't want you doing that on a new hip as there is the risk of falling if you're so tired.
I developed a post operative haematoma - 25 cm long, in my thigh. This complicated my recovery but what was good was that the compression stocking (toe to buttock) they gave me to help dispel this, helped enormously with the post op swelling in my leg and it resolved really well.
And do wean off slowly as Sue said. Good luck and do keep us up dated if you have issues. It's a wonderful storehouse of information here and such wonderful support from people who understand.
My laugh for the day - they won't want you doing that on a new hip🤣🤣🤣
More advice please! 
RLS advice please! 
ADVICE PLEASE asap
ppi advice please 
