sensations in legs

[jacques1]

First off, my Dr told me I could take my stockings off at night if they really bothered me. I get this horrible sensation going through, especially the operated leg. I am wondering that is causing this because I guess this is what is keeping me awake at night. My leg is still very sensative to touch due to a great deal of bruising. The knee isn't really that sore it is the rest of my leg that is annoying. Anybody had these sensations?
Deb

 

[Jamie]

Deb....LOTS of us had restless leg syndrome for a period of time during early recovery. It's a condition where you feel like you MUST move your leg almost constantly. It happens at night when you most need and want to rest. Is that what you are experiencing? If so, sometimes pain pills work. Or sometimes a heating pad at the base of your spine works. Or sometimes you have to get up and walk or ride the bicycle (if you're lucky enough to have one at home). Believe me, I used ALL of these methods at one time or another to get relief and sometimes none of them worked very well. If this is what's going on, just know that it eventrually goes away. You just have to get your sleep in smaller spurts whenever during the day that you can.

 

[aussie]

Good answer Jamie.

Deb, sounds like restless leg syndrome, and I second what Jamie said. There are so many sensations your new knee will go through, being restless, feeling like something is crawling on your scar, little electric shocks under the skin, (the nerves mending)and I get a real dull ache in the back of the kneecap. They are all part of recovery and do lessen over time.

Grab those naps when you can.

Best wishes,

Chris

 

[jacques1]

Thanks Chris and Jamie

That is exactly what is must be. I tried keeping my stockings on a little longer last night and trying to go to sleep, and it didn't work. So either way, stockings or no stockings at night time I experience this restless leg syndrome.

Deb

 

[Jamie]

Deb, experiment with the heating pad at the small of your back. That and getting up and walking worked best for me. I especially liked the heating pad because it was warm and cozy and I could stay in bed and not have to "nightwalk" the house

 

[jacques1]

Thanks again Jamie. I will try that tonight and let you know how I made out.

Deb

 

[jacques1]

Hello Jamie

I had a very good sleep last night. The heating pad did the trick.
I fell asleep no problem. I did, however, wake up at 4:00 AM because
my leg was aching but that is due to physio yesterday. I am so happy to have a good night, it will sure make a difference even if I wake up early,
there is always time for a nap.

Thanks
Deb

 

[Jamie]

Deb....I'm THRILLED that my suggestion helped you. It may not work every time, but for me it did the trick on most of my jerky-leg nights. If it fails, you may need to walk around the house a little to exercise your leg then go back to the heat pad. I've got my fingers crossed that you've found the answer for your problem, though. Thanks so much for posting the feedback. It will no doubt be helpful information for someone else!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Deb,
Did you talk to your Gp about pain meds??
^i^

 

[jacques1]

Thanks for asking.

I thought I would call the OS once more. The nurse said she would speak to the doctor and get back to me. Well, it was still no. He doesn't like to put his patients on narcotics. So, I began to think and I had a very good friend who was on percacet last year and had a very hard time coming off and was horrible on it, except her pain was gone. I don't have the kind of pain where I could scream. I am just uncomfortable and as Jo had said before "that is the pain that exhausts you", (not in those words but that is what she was implying. ) I fully agree with her and in the same breath I ask myself do I want the narcotics or can I honestly cope with what I have. I am seeing my physio tomorrow again and I have a GP Dr appt Friday. I am going to give it one more session wth the physio, because they give a good hard workout and I was sore the day after and I am still sore from doing them at home. Mind you, I did go to the funeral of my sister-in-law. I know it was foolish on my part but I coped with my leg. It was more swollen after but I expected that so I came home and iced/elevated it.

Now Jamie, I think you jinxed me. Legs are fine tonight, applied heat but I still can't sleep soo I will walk for a "bit" you are right once again. (I'm smiling)

Deb

 

[Jamie]

Deb, don't rule out the prescription pain meds just yet. If your pain is not at the level where you need the stronger ones, there are milder ones that might help you too. If the pain (or discomfort) continues it wouldn't hurt to at least discuss it with your GP. Some people here on the forum have had to work at getting off the serious pain meds by gradually tapering off, but eveyone got through it. And if you need pain relief, you need it to do what you have to do. But only you know how your body is feeling and you must be the judge of what you need. I switched from Hydrocodone to Darvoset at week 3 and it really helped to be on a different med. Your GP might have some ideas....

 

[Jamie]

Oh, and here's hoping you can get back to sleep here real soon!