Epidural

[Rls29]

I'm shortly to have a partial knee replacement by epidural. (Apparently, the hospital doesn't use GA's.) I'm worrying now how this might effect my RLS. Does anyone have experience of surgery via an epidural please?

[SueJohnson]

I can't answer your specific question but here is some advice for your upcoming surgery:

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"

[SueJohnson]

After the surgery your symptoms may be worse as as result of inflammation. This is temporary,

[SueJohnson]

Also see the related posts to the right side.

[Rls29]

Thank you so much Sue, really appreciate your replies. I'm going to ring the hospital on Monday morning.

[Sqlguy]

Never heard of an epidural being used for that. In my experience, an epidural (and I have had several, for spinal stenosis and for shoulder problems) is an injection, usually of cortisone mixed with a pain killer, to reduce inflammation. Are you sure this is some kind of replacement and not to reduce inflammation?

[4Curiousosity in reply to Sqlguy]

I had an epidural rather than general for my total knee replacement in 2021

[Bugsycat]

I had a full knee replacement and told them in detail about my restless legs as although anasthetic usually keeps it at bay there’s always the chance it wouldn’t happen.

But as soon as I woke up my legs started and I had to stand up. The staff allowed me to do this with their help and they gave me an injection. A bit unsure what it was now but I think it was diazepam.

Later on you’re encouraged to walk with crutches so it was good.

Lots of luck and I hope things go well for you