Nearly 7 months out from TKR now can't sleep!!!

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Last night I had terrible restless legs syndrome but only in my unoperated leg?? The TKR leg was quite happy to go to sleep, but the other one just wanted to do a jig every few minutes!!! Had to go downstairs in the end & read!

What's this about? I thought sleep problems would be resolved by now!

In fact usually I sleep well but this is the 2nd time this has happened in the last couple of months???

Any ideas out there?

Marilyn

2

I have the same issue and I find that if I get into my hot tub before bed it help. A hot bath or running the shower hotbover my back helps too. If I don't I "dance" all night.

3

Two TKRs in the last 6 months and I too suffer in exactly the same way. It certainly happened with my first TKR and I am suffering still with the second. I take magnesium tablets, they were suggested. The best thing I find is to ice just before I go to bed., though this is certainly not a solution. Any suggestions greatly received 

Thanks

Jan

 

4

Thanks Duckfan, it's deffo worth a try. I hope you get some relief too.

XX

5

Ah maybe I will try magnesium too. That does make sense.

Thanks for your suggestions.

XX

6

Presumably you experienced RLS before TKR ?

 

7

I had RLS years before my TKR...still do.  Tried a lot of different solutions.  Acupuncture was great while I was doing it.  Now I take 1mg Xanax an hour before sleep.  Works great.  Also try 50mg diphenhydramine (generic Benadryl).  OTC.

8

I didnt have it before my TKRs

9

I have had at odd times, but what was so odd was it was just the one leg. The operated leg was quite happy. The UNoperated leg not!

????

XX

10

Thanks Chico, I take OTC antihistamines for hay fever but the OTC Benadryl contains Cetirazine over here. Most (if not all) OTC antihistamines are now of the non drowsy type. Not too sure if they even still sell the original Piriton!

We used to have a pain killer called Pro Pain which contained diphenhydramine but it was withdrawn years back!

I have had RLS in the past, usually a couple of days before my VitB jab is due but this was odd as just the unoperated leg was involved! Jab not due for over 2 weeks, but maybe VitB levels dropping quicker than norm. Can't have it sooner as GP won't allow without consult, can't get in to see GP, unless it's an emergency, for about 3 weeks!! Will be having blood test in 3 weeks so just have to wait it out!!!

Was ok last night, hopefully it'll resolve.

Weird though that is was just the unoperated leg???

XX

11

There is no generic diphenhydramine over there?  It's such a basic ingredient.  Like Tylenol PM is just acetaminophen and diphenhydramine.  I can't believe such a basic pure antihistamine is unavailable there...

12

When I sleep on my side, the "upper" leg twitches.  So I roll over and now the OTHER (new upper) leg twitches.  RLS is maddening...no sense to it.  The Xanax controls it but there is no "cure".

13

RLS.  .    .   . I used to wonder how many marathons I'd run.

No need to exercise that day !

mike

14

Sorry for delay in replying Chico!

Work & tiredness does get in the way!!

After much research all I could find was that diphenhydramine is NOT in Benadryl over here. In fact the only sedating antihistamine OTC is Piriton which is Chlorphenamine Maleate, all other OTC A/Hs contain either loratidine or cetirazine. Benadryl OTC will have either Cetirazine or Acrivastine neither of which are sedating.

Diphenhydramine is available in other otc medications that are sold as having sedating qualities. Because of the large amount of the population suffering hay fever, it seems that, apart from Piriton, all others are non sedating. Maybe so that we can all keep working, not dozing off?? Lol.

That's the only reason I can find for the fact that uk Benadryl does not contain diphenhydramine??!!

Marilyn

XX

15

I like the way you think Mike.

Marilyn

XX

16

I'm stunned...  Piriton is really Chlorphenamine, a relatively weak and ancient first-generation antihistamine.  Its adverse effects include drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, constipation, anxiety, nausea, blurred vision, restlessness, decreased coordination, dry mouth, shallow breathing, hallucinations, irritability, problems with memory or concentration, tinnitus and trouble urinating.

Anything with Diphenhydramine will also have "sedating" qualities but they really don't knock you out...just make you drowsy so you have to combine them with a sleep regimen so you can actually get to sleep.

Damn...  Gotta read every single label nowadays and then research the active chemical.  So much work.  And don't forget to check interactions with other drugs you are taking.  Something seemingly innocuous could be dangerous.