Question:
IS ANYONES RESTLESS LEG GOTTEN WORSE AFTER SURGERY?

I HAD TO STOP TAKING ELAVIL BEFORE SURGERY. NOW I HAVE BEEN BACK ON IT FOR 3 NIGHTS. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO START WORKING AGAIN? I AM IN AGONY. I SLEEP 20 MIN AND AM UP 2 MORE AFTER THAT.    — julie O. (posted on January 21, 2005)

January 21, 2005
Hi Julie, I had restless leg syndrome before my surgery, but as the weight came off, the legs got worse and the elavil no longer was able to control the problem. Like you, I couldn't sleep, and my PCP did a little research on drugs for me and came up with a drug called REQUIP. I only take it on nights when the legs are "jumping", and within 10 to 20 minutes, they stop and I am able to sleep soundly. Actually think that the Requip has something in it that makes you sleep, too. Requip is a drug that is used for treatment of some of the tremors of Parkinson's Disease, but my doctor said it gives the part of the brain that controls the restless leg syndrome what it needs to control the spasms. I take the 1 mg dose. You might want to talk with your doctor and see if you can try this - after a few nights of no sleep, and having to walk the floors in order to stop the spasms, you might be able to persuade anyone to give you something to help. Good luck to you.
   — DorrieB

January 21, 2005
What may be causing this to seem worse is that (1)you can't tolerate the elavil any longer,plus the fact it's not really addressing the RLS anyway. Elavil is for mental depression. It is a tricyclic antidepressants. Some doctors also prescribe Elavil to treat bulimia (an eating disorder), to control chronic pain, to prevent migraine headaches, and to treat a pathological weeping and laughing syndrome associated with multiple sclerosis. (2) you have not been prescribed another medication that will control the spasms (Requip Which I take .75mg at bedtime daily or Mirapex 1 mg which I took for a month and was switched back to Requip[ins. co. wanted to save some money at my expense] Most generally when one works for you(according to my neurologist) it is medically better to NOT switch. Switching meds can exaserbate the symptoms.(3) Now that you've had RNY (I assume) you do not absorb iron as well as prior to surgery. The main factor in RLS is the malabsortion of iron in the brain which leads to this syndrome. If your body is not getting the iron it needs the simple routine bloodtests for anemia will not detect what is necessary to verify the deficiency for the brain. Ferritin levels must be done to verify this deficiency. Unfortunately once the deficiency has occured it cannot be reversed with supplements it can only be treated symptomatically and with changing the form and administration of proper dosages of iron. Don't take iron with calcium..only one will be absorbed....99.9999% of the time calcium wins. Infusions may be necessary. In this case Prescription iron supplements may be your best option health wise.
   — Wings In Waiting

January 26, 2005
Thank you so much for posting this question. I am 3 years post op and developed RLS during my pregnancy. My OB prescribed Ambien to help me sleep, but now that I've had the baby, the RLS is a little better. My Iron levels are low and I am still having the PICA craving for dirt. I will have to check into the meds listed...thank you!
   — Ronda H.