Operations and increased RLS.

[Madlegs1]

A month ago I had an operation to fuse my ankle. 2 hour operation.Then a course of antibiotics and extra painkillers.

On getting home after 3 days I started getting increased RLS. Completely out of control.

Went to Dr who first offered Parkinson's medications, which I declined. He was kind enough to listen to a brief exposition of this sites' policy. He then offered Pregabalin, starting with 25 pd rising to 75, and then reviewing.

I reported back to here, and was informed that that dose would be ineffective, for at least 3 weeks.

I'm at 75mg but am feeling very sleepy in the mornings. (I take it at 7pm evening)

I was told to increase the opioids, which I did ,by shortening the intervals, and adding paracetamol/ acetominophen.

My main point is that , this strategy has been successful. My pre op regime has been restored, apart from extra paracetamol, (which can easily be managed)

The possible conclusion to all this is that

1--- the anaesthetics and painkillers used in the operation are large enough to cause major withdrawals/ upsets to preop medications.

2-- The antibiotic course upsets the microbiome enough to cause RLS.

I suspect the first conclusion, because I have had plenty of antibiotics,without any issues ,before.

Look forward to comments!😎

[SueJohnson]

There is also the inflammation from the surgery.

[Madlegs1 in reply to SueJohnson]

Of course. !💚

[Joolsg]

Thanks for sharing Madlegs.I suspect any op involving bones has much higher risk of worsening RLS. I had gallbladder removed at the end of August. They gave me a small dose of fentanyl for pain relief & then paracetamol.

I had no additional RLS.

But everyone on here who has hip, knee, spinal or ankle surgery reports increased RLS.

I'm glad to hear it has settled.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Joolsg]

Yes-- quite a frightening experience. Especially when not in full control of faculties.

Very grateful to the group for good advice when I needed the support!😎💚

[Pippins2 in reply to Madlegs1]

Hi Madlegs sorry to hear you've had a bad time itscso frightening when you just can't move when you absolutely need to ! Glad things are settling down and I hope your op has helped your ankle -Ppipps

[Madlegs1 in reply to Pippins2]

Thanks Pipps, you have had enough bother of your own.

All the best.💚💚💚

[CsiguZ in reply to Joolsg]

My RLS symptoms exacerbated significantly 12 years ago when I had a surgery that didn’t affect my bones, while last year I broke my right arm badly and the surgeon had to screw the bones together without any effect on my RLS.

[Joolsg in reply to CsiguZ]

Very interesting.I think I have to accept that we all respond differently to surgery.

[Madlegs1 in reply to CsiguZ]

May well be the variety of painkillers used?

[CsiguZ in reply to Madlegs1]

Well, who knows, but I’d suspect the information caused by the surgery or the antibiotics used in case of my surgery 12 years ago.

[Jumpey]

Glad your symptoms have settled. I've had 2 surgeries in recent years with no adverse affects on my rls.

[CsiguZ]

There are different types of antibiotics, one can have more impact on your unique microbiome than the other and moreover there are pathogenic bacteria which are resistant to particular antibiotics and can overgrowth because the good microbes were diminished.

Anyway I agree with Sue, that inflammation caused by the surgery (or by the antibiotic) might be the reason of the increased RLS symptoms.

[Merny5]

I’m so glad you have returned to normal but sorry for your additional suffering. After each joint replacement, my RLS sky rocketed! No one was ever able to give me a reason but I suspect inflammation. My symptoms are finally settling down 4 months post op. My advice=avoid surgery at all costs.😄

[Madlegs1 in reply to Merny5]

If only!🙃

[HeBgBgirl]

I’m surprised no one is saying anything about anti nausea medication they give you when having surgery?? If given wrong med it can cause post RLS! Believe me it happened to me after an L4/5 fusion!! Lasted over 9 hours!! Then 2 days later again!! I was still in hospital!! A nightmare and worst episodes of my life then! The correct anti nausea medicine to be given is Zofran.

[Madlegs1 in reply to HeBgBgirl]

Thanks -- never thought of that.

I always refuse the anti nausea med, but sometimes there is no choice.