Advice please

[Dutch1993]

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 🙏🏻

[SueJohnson]

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.

[Ticki]

prayers for a quick recovery and less restless leg❤️‍🩹