TKR the torment of constantly moving legs make me regret the whole thing

[Former_Athlete]

So under what circumstances should I create a new post? Never? What are all the posts I see in the forums? Not new posts?

If only moderators are going to reply, maybe it doesn't matter where I post. I was hoping for some communication with other members.

 

[Former_Athlete]

It's impossible to be specific about this, but it's unlikely that this degree of RLS will last for ever..

How do you know that? Where did you get your information? Are you guessing? I need something solid, not false hope.

 

[Jaycey]

@Former_Athlete Celle is knowledgable as she worked in healthcare for many years. In addition she has been involved with thousands of member on this forum both as a member and on staff since 2014.

I am afraid you are not going to get anything "solid" - not even from your own physician. There is just no predicting when something like RLS will diminish. But I can also confirm, in most cases this eases with time.

I am very sorry you are still suffering from this. Did you try and heat as suggested earlier?

 

[Celle]

So under what circumstances should I create a new post? Never? What are all the posts I see in the forums? Not new posts?

Each person has their own recovery thread, which is about their own recovery. A post is one part of a recovery thread. A thread can contain many posts.

If only moderators are going to reply, maybe it doesn't matter where I post. I was hoping for some communication with other members.

Give it time. Remember this is a holiday weekend.

sistersinhim, although she is a Moderator, has had RLS herself. She gave you good advice, based on her own experience.

 

[Former_Athlete]

@Former_Athlete Celle is knowledgable as she worked in healthcare for many years. In addition she has been involved with thousands of member on this forum both as a member and on staff since 2014.

I am afraid you are not going to get anything "solid" - not even from your own physician. There is just no predicting when something like RLS will diminish. But I can also confirm, in most cases this eases with time.

I’m not so stupid as to think that anybody can predict exactly how things are going to turn out for ME personally. By “solid,” I meant a study, or statistics, about what other people have experienced, something other than a vague “it generally resolves” or “eases with time.”

what percentage of tormented souls are condemned to experience this for their entire life after a knee replacement? That’s what I want to know.

 

[Dedou]

I actually registered on this site due to this thread. I had been reading articles and posts, looking for help and answers for my own unique healing journey.
I have been keeping track of my meds and started noting when the RLS began for me - this is the beginning of week 3 of RLS. I have upped my intake of Vit. B12, D3, Magnesium/Calcium and Zinc. I just ordered Iron and some homeopathic remedies to try as well. I was seriously sleep-deprived that first week! I now get to bed anywhere from 8-9pm and reliably wake up around midnight, when I take two extra-strength Tylenol. Usually now, I wake again at 3-3:30 and just heat up my heat pack and walk around a bit. I hear you, it's crazy- making. One night early on, I just rocked back and forth and cried most of the night - So tired! Try everything, note what happens and God bless!

 

[Celle]

I’m not so stupid as to think that anybody can predict exactly how things are going to turn out for ME personally. By “solid,” I meant a study, or statistics, about what other people have experienced, something other than a vague “it generally resolves” or “eases with time.”

@Former_Athlete ,
Did you realise we are all volunteers here on BoneSmart, who have had joint replacements ourselves and who have stayed on the site to try and help other people? Our knowledge is based on personal experience and the experience of thousands of members over the years.

We are not full-time, paid professionals who spend our time studying statistics.
Even a statistical study is not going to tell you whether you will be in the majority whose RLS goes away, or in the small minority for whom it persists.

 

[Layla]

I’m sorry you’re struggling, feeling frustrated, abandoned at times, and neglected by the lack of response here from members as opposed to staff. Other than staff, no one is obligated to respond to any of our posts. There are various reasons why you may not receive feedback from members, the most obvious being lack of advice to offer. If a member responds unfavorably to feedback received, it may make others feel apprehensive about responding, limiting the advice, replies or sympathetic responses received.

I’m sure your situation is miserable, it sounds like it is unbearable at times, I wish you didn’t have to suffer and hopefully it comes to an end soon. The only advice I have to offer is not a quick fix, however it has worked for many and that is Magnesium. Please read the info below and consider giving it a try -

Magnesium supports the following:
Bone health
Healthy blood sugar
Cardiovascular health
Muscle relaxation and nerves
Promotes healthy sleep (falling asleep and staying asleep)

An article on Magnesium -
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/magnesium-is-a-star.20301/

Also, at bedtime, you may consider drinking 4-6 oz of Q-Tonic which is a water that contains quinine. Read the label as some of the waters do not contain quinine, but quinine flavoring instead.

Wishing you comfort, speedy relief and hopefully a peaceful / relaxing Easter weekend.

 

[Goma]

I found that as the swelling decreased so did the sensations in my legs and especially my feet. Icing and elevating my legs and icing as much as possible even through the night helped. The feeling was worse than the knee replacement pain at times especially at night. I was really worried that it wouldn't go away. I used ice packs, bags of peas because I could wrap them around my knee, never heard of an ice machine. I also massage my legs, even the unoperated leg as it was also restless. I think the swelling is the cause of the problem. Ice, elevate and wait. Mine went away suddenly one day at around 3months but I've had a good recovery overall. Everything is good now.

 

[PegGar16]

If you search Amazon for Donjoy Iceman there will be a selection of machines and pretty good prices. This is the ice machine that I use and it will be delivered. I can not give you an estimate on how long I needed to use it because I had multiple surgeries in the 2 year period. I like it better than pain meds.

 

[DEL2021May-19]

I've had RLS before my TKR and it happens periodically. If I put 701 tape on my lower back it takes it away. 701 is a medicated plaster. There are other products on the market. I slap a piece on my back and have a great sleep. I swear by it! Perhaps give it a try by treating the lower back which will alleviate the legs.

 

[Former_Athlete]

I've had RLS before my TKR and it happens periodically. If I put 701 tape on my lower back it takes it away. 701 is a medicated plaster. There are other products on the market. I slap a piece on my back and have a great sleep. I swear by it! Perhaps give it a try by treating the lower back which will alleviate the legs.

Interesting! I've never heard of it. But RLS isn't pain, it's the constant compulsion to move your legs. I just got two Rx today (Mirapex and Gabapentin) so will try those first. Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Former_Athlete]

If you search Amazon for Donjoy Iceman there will be a selection of machines and pretty good prices. This is the ice machine that I use and it will be delivered. I can not give you an estimate on how long I needed to use it because I had multiple surgeries in the 2 year period. I like it better than pain meds.

Thanks, but I've had a good ice machine now for many weeks. I posted about my ice machine troubles in early Feb, that was an old post.

 

[Former_Athlete]

I found that as the swelling decreased so did the sensations in my legs and especially my feet. Icing and elevating my legs and icing as much as possible even through the night helped. The feeling was worse than the knee replacement pain at times especially at night. I was really worried that it wouldn't go away. I used ice packs, bags of peas because I could wrap them around my knee, never heard of an ice machine. I also massage my legs, even the unoperated leg as it was also restless. I think the swelling is the cause of the problem. Ice, elevate and wait. Mine went away suddenly one day at around 3months but I've had a good recovery overall. Everything is good now.

I am also worried that it won't go away, because it is making life unbearable. Glad yours finally cleared up. I have heard that elevation helps, and at night I will often put my butt on the wall so my legs can go straight up.

I'm at 2 months so no more knee pain, hence not icing as much. I may start icing again too. Thanks for sharing your success!

 

[Goma]

Yes, keep elevating and icing to get the swelling down as much as you can for as long as possible. I iced for hours. After my surgery I didn't wear compression stockings and my legs swelled as a result which I'm sure caused my problems. On days when I do too much I can still feel a tingle of restlessness more in my feet than my legs and I go for the ice and elevate. I hope yours goes too.

 

[Dedou]

I tried the bar of soap last night and only my operated leg had the slightest urge to be restless.

 

[allin1]

I did not suffer from RLS after my TKR but I have been suffering with fatigue and a few other symptoms over the last couple of years. I started supplementing with magnesium, which may help with RLS. Here is a link for your consideration:

The Link Between Magnesium and RLS

Research suggests magnesium deficiencies can contribute to restless leg syndrome (RLS). Learn how magnesium supplements may help treat RLS.

www.healthline.com

If you are interested in supplementing with magnesium, I would recommend looking for articles and products with Dr. Carolyn Dean name on them.
My fatigue has gotten much better since I started magnesium. I realize that is hardly scientific, but it is a data point of one. I realize also it could be a placebo effect, but I really don't think so.
From the link:
" Researchers think that magnesium makes it easier for muscles to relax. This may be because of its calcium-blocking abilities, which help regulate the nerves and muscles instead of letting calcium “activate” the nerves. If magnesium is low, calcium isn’t blocked and nerves become overactive and trigger muscle contractions. "

 

[Former_Athlete]

I tried the bar of soap last night and only my operated leg had the slightest urge to be restless.

I read that the soap needed to contain magnesium for it to help; checked the ingredients of all the types of soap they had at the supermarket but none had magnesium. So I bought one that contains lavender, which is also supposed to be helpful, but haven't tried it yet.

Do you leave it in the package or put it in something else? Just a naked bar of soap in the bed seems kind of gross.

 

[Pumpkin]

Do you leave it in the package or put it in something else? Just a naked bar of soap in the bed seems kind of gross.

My husband has used in the package and out of the package, one works as well as the other. We put it under the sheet at the foot of the bed, so it does not move around.

 

[Dedou]

I had the bar just as is in the bed; actually held it between my feet at one point. Not gross at all when you are:
Sleep deprived
Dealing with having Covid on top of
Healing slowly from TKR due to bad osteoporosis!
I was happy for it.