Anyone know anything about restless legs and/or muscle spasms?

I have a history of several DVTs (deep vein blood clots) in my left leg, the first episode of which was actually a series of blood clots in my thigh and pelvis that almost completely blocked circulation of blood out of my leg and that resulted in destruction of a number of the valves in that vein and in some "tissue" damage (whatever exactly THAT means) in that thigh.  That was way back in 1979 when  I was in High School, BTW.

I am 51 and have been having menopause symptoms for about the last 18 months (I had a hysterectomy years ago, so I'm not really sure about the timing of it), and had a total knee replacement in that leg last March (and the other one done in November).  After each TKR, I took Robaxin for muscle cramps in the thigh of the affected leg. Not sure if either of these things are relevant or not.

So... Periodically I have has episodes of restless legs at night.  It is worse in the left leg, but affects them both. For the past month, though, I have been having what feels like the restless legs but is also accompanied by muscle contractions/twitches/spasms.  It is MUCH worse in (or completely limited to) the left leg, and happens mostly after dinner and continues into the night.  It drives me crazy and keeps me from sleeping.

My PCP tried giving me a muscle relaxer (tinzanidine) and then a drug called baclofen (which is sometimes used for people with MS).  The first helps just a bit, but mostly just makes me sleepy (not very useful at dinner time); the second doesn't seem to help at all.  

I see my PCP again next week, but am wondering if anyone has had a similar issue or has any suggestions for things I can discuss with him other than trying one of the drugs for restless leg syndrome.

Lora

I had really debillitating RLS and cramps - which have been "cured" with sorting out my iron deficient anaemia and taking 750mg of magnesium every day ...

Getting old sucks!  That.   Is.    All.

My labs were really good, so I know it isn't magnesium related.  Hormone related is entirely another question, however.  Yes... Getting old sucks

Restless leg syndrome can be a symptom of iron deficiency.

I think twitching muscles can also be a side effect of Tramadol.

He ran a bunch of abs last week (magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron, thyroid, and some stuff I as never heard of) and everything was ok.

i haven't been taking the Tramadol much recently (once every few days), and it didn't bother me when I wa taking it three times a day for months on end, but I had never bothered to look at side effects from it (since I didn't seem to have any). 

At first, I wondered if it was some weird delayed withdrawal reaction once I stopped taking the Vicodin and/or Tramadol (since it started a few weeks after I wasnt taking pain meds even every other day, and since I had been on the Vicodin for so long), but it has been happening for quite a few weeks now, and when I hyper flexed the left knee when I slid on the hill and took several doses of the Vicodin, I still had the issue.

I've had some of the same problems, but more with surface veins than deep veins. I had destroyed the valves as well, had pain and tingling, and restless legs. About six weeks ago I had endovenous laser ablation on the greater saphenous in one leg, and lesser saphenous in the other, along with a phlebectomy in one leg. It has helped a bit.

I have also started wearing kneehigh 20-30 mmhg compression stockings, which also help. If anyone has any tips about rinsing my pantyhose out at night, I'd be happy to hear it. I'm kinda new at it.

I don't know if this is similar enough to your situation, but it seemed worth mentioning.

Not sure if you're being serious about the 'washing' thing, but I shall share this little gem: do NOT wash them in anything labeled 'detergent'.  Detergent is a petroleum-based product, as is anything stretchy (spandex etc.) and they devour each other.  Your 'pantyhose' will last MUCH longer if you use something called Forever New (no, I don't own stock in the company!).  It's non-detergent, non-petroleum, and your items will last much much longer.  Buy the big size - it's cheaper in the long run - and everything smells so good! 

I actually was serious. This rinsing them out in the sink thing is for the birds. There has to be a better way.

Buy one of those zipper mesh bags women use to wash bras in the washing machine. Throw in some Forever New and wash on Gentle.  Hang dry.  Good as new!