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Electric shock sensations

Posted , 6 users are following.

Tingles
Tingles

I had a right hip replacement 17 days ago. As well as all the ‘normal expected post op symtoms’, I am concerned as to this new symptom that has started over the last week. It starts through the night and wakes me up as an electric shock/cramp-like/tingling/vibrating sensation down the whole of my operated leg.

It comes like contractions every 10-20 seconds and the only way to get temporary relief is to either sit on the edge of my bed with my feet on the floor or get up and walk around with my crutches. This goes on for most of the night and I’m totally shattered and frustrated.

I went to see my GP who says it’s the sciatic nerve healing and prescribed nerve drugs, which I’m reluctant to take, as I want to get off my post op drugs not add to them. After researching this theory, apparently permanent damage can be done to the sciatic nerve during surgery.

Has anyone else experienced these symptoms after a THR?

I’m 58 years old and feeling extremely worried?

Thank you for reading.

Tingles

 

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • m05
    m05 Tingles

    Posted

    I wonder if it's anything to do with the piriformis muscle healing and affecting the sciatic nerve what approach did your surgeon take ?

    • Tingles
      Tingles m05

      Posted

      Thank you for responding. My surgeon made a 4” incision at the rear. 
    • m05
      m05 Tingles

      Posted

      I am no expert at all but I think your GP may be correct in the early days of my hip problems I experienced similar symptoms after checking out piriformis syndrome I worked out that the way I was sitting at work whilst seeing patients (eyes) was putting undue pressure on my piriformis muscle and hence irritating the sciatic nerve I was experiencing similar symptoms to you whilst lying down at night after changing my working position those pains etc went . The posterior approach may necessitate cutting the piriformis, in some people the sciatic nerve goes through the piriformis in others it goes under it so it seems likely that could be causing irritation to the nerve as the muscle heals you have had major surgery and healing will take quite some time and like anything there is no normal but please I am no expert at this I am only speculating if you are concerned please see you GP again and ask to be referred to a specialist I would think it is highly unlikely it is permanent damage hope this helps a bit.
    • Tingles
      Tingles m05

      Posted

      Thank you for your advice which is reassuring. I took one of the pills before bed last night. The tingling wasn’t as bad, but I just can’t sleep still. I think it’s the lying on the back which is not natural for me. I also  think I’ve I’ve got the post op blues - lying awake stressing over what might be and the long road ahead to recovery. 
    • m05
      m05 Tingles

      Posted

      Hi this post op blues is quite a well known problem also sleeping problems seem quite common . Have you had a look on the bonesmart site there is a very good forum there and they have experts an orthopaedic nurse and plenty of people who have and are having similar problems have a look I think you will find a lot of help and reassurance there. I regularly check in on there it has given me a lot of help running up to my op.

      All the best Martin

    • Tingles
      Tingles m05

      Posted

      Thank you Martin. I will take a look. 
  • m05
    m05 Tingles

    Posted

    Ps did GP prescribe amitriptyline? I would really try taking meds as you need sleep to help healing.
    • Tingles
      Tingles m05

      Posted

      Yes GP prescribed them. I agree, sleep is so important. 
  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie Tingles

    Posted

    TIngles I had this, had a course of Amitryptaline and it cured it. When I had a nerve removed in my foot and described the symptoms. Doc said the nerve ending are trying to find one another which was why I had burning and tingling. That time had a coursevof gabapentin. Take the pill the doc prescribed. It will settle down.
    • Tingles
      Tingles auntiebeanie

      Posted

      Thank you for replying. That is reassuring. I will take your advice. I have emailed my consultant to explain the symptoms too. 
  • sandymrs1992
    sandymrs1992 Tingles

    Posted

    Yes, Tingles, the electric shock started happening about 2 weeks out. It is 11 weeks out now and I still have the electric shocks The doctor gave me some nerve stuff also, gapentulum?

    At first, the shocks were bad when stepping down on the operated side. The bad shocks have gone away...nevertheless, there are still shocks and tingles.

    I went to the gym at 10 weeks, and over did it with leg lifts. Now i have a sharp pain o the right of the scar on the outside of the leg.

    I am going back in for an xray this week, and hope to God I didn't undo anything...

    I am such a fidgity person, this having to take it easy is just awful. I am very impatient with the healing process, and expected to be pain free at this point.

    It seems as the majority of the people on this site have had miraculous outcomes, and I was hoping for the same.

    • Tingles
      Tingles sandymrs1992

      Posted

      Thank you for your advice. Good luck with your X-ray, I hope all goes well. 
  • sandymrs1992
    sandymrs1992 Tingles

    Posted

    I also take the sleep aid Ambien. Yes , controversy about it, but it gets you immediately to sleep within 10 - 20 minutes.
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