Legs

I had my THR 2 weeks ago today. I don't have a problem during the day, it starts shortly after I get into bed. I normally fall asleep for about 10-20mins and then wake up to the restless legs. 

My wife reminds me that I used to have restless legs before the THR  ...... but this is different, it's you feeling the twitchy legs and not being able to sleep or being woken up by it.  I think it's either to do with the the mixture of medication you are on, or the brutal operation you have just undergone (see youtube videos if you're not too squeamish).  Your legs were pulled about mercilessly in the operation, and your body is now trying to knit back together where the incision was made.

The recovery is long and difficult, it took about 18 months before I felt anything like back to normal, but now I can do just about anything again.  I have spent the last week on the roof of my workshop repairing it, and will now start re-modelling a waterfall with loads of railway sleepers, something I could not have contemplated 2 years ago.

See my website for common answers and tips from other hippies on this website, the address is in my personal info here ...

   https://patient.info/forums/profiles/rocketman-sg6uk-907025

and at the bottom of the moderator's "useful resources" page at

   https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147

Best wishes

Graham - 🚀💃 🤸    ¯\_(?)_/¯

Dear Kathy

You don't say if you had the twitchy legs before the surgery. Have you tried the magnesium tablets yet?

Cheers Richard

Hi Richard, I didn't have this problem before surgery. It's a new one to me. I need to get some magnesium tablets which will hopefully help. X

Dear Kathy

That's interesting to know. Do let us know if the magnesium tablets work for you. I take two a day, one in the morning and the second one in the evening but the bottle suggests three a day.

Cheers Richard

Quick question, what milligram magnesium tablets do you take? X

Dear Kathy

100mg.

Cheers. Richard

Hi Richard, I now have the magnesium tablets, which are actually 500mg. It says to take 1-2 per day, so I've just taken one now and will take another tonight. I will let you know how I get on as last night was another shocking night for me - went to bed at 10pm and was still awake at 3am. Feeling exhausted. x

Dear Kathy

Thanks for the info. I really do hope that these tablets will give you some relief as it sounds as if you are having a hard time.

Best wishes. Richard

Thank you, I really hope so. I'll report back tomorrow morning. X

Dear Osprey

It's the Magnesium Citrate that I'm taking but at the 100mg dose.

Cheers

Richard

Dear Kathy

You may not see results straight away unlike the Quinine which was instant for me.

Cheers

Richard

Hello Richard

I will keep a check on my dose and see if reducing it a bit still is beneficial. its a single tablet 400mg. No wonder i am sleeping well! does work like a charm.

Do you have a date for your ankle yet?

Dear Osprey

Gad that it seems to be having some effect! You might be able to cut the tablets on halves. I think you can get tablet cutters to make cutting easier.

How kind of you to inquire about my ankle revision. I made the long trip to see my surgeon ten days ago and all that happened was a chat to discuss what he was going to attempt. No x rays although it is several months since last seeing him and I gather that the surgery is unlikely before December or January.

I thought that having recovered from my hip revision which had delayed the ankle surgery that I would be in for the ankle fast as the bones are steadily degrading.

I was so disappointed and my partner said when I told her on my return that it was a bit of a wasted day.

I'm pushing to get things speeded up if possible.

Best wishes. Richard

Well, I don't know if it's just coincidence, but I didn't have any issue with my legs last night!! So happy and I got 6.5 hours sleep! I feel like a new woman today. 

Thank you Richard, and to everyone else for your advice and support! xx

Purchase of magnesium today for me. So glad you got some sleep last night and hope it continues. Will keep you posted if it works for me too. xx

I was waiting for it last night as I was lying awake for a while before I fell asleep, but I had absolutely no symptoms at all. Long may it continue! 

Good luck Sandra xx

thanks. Have ordered online to be delivered tomorrow 😊

Me too !! I love this site!

Hello Richard

​Ah that is a pity it is still a while away and with the deterioration you know is continuing with your ankle. I think I read previously you hoped for August. I hope you manage to get it speeded up. The thought of facing that on top of your revision must be daunting.  on a lighter note a local barber broke his ankle and continued to work using the Iwalk2 as he need both hands.and was in the local papers. I would post the link but will get moderated. if you wanted a look google. three legged barber is doing the business.  I hope you get a quicker appointment soon.  kind regards

Dear Kathy

That is wonderful news especially as you were anticipating twitching which I usually found tender to set it off.

Cheers Richard

Dear Osprey

Thanks for your concern. Yes it was tough having the ankle revision put on hold by the unexpected failing of my twenty year old hip, but as it was all I could do I did my best to put it out of my mind.

To have gone back to my ankle surgeon and to find that I seem to be at the bottom of his list again is a huge disappointment and worry as I've been waiting for the revision now for nine months and now a wait of at best four months additional.

Best wishes. Richard

Dear Osprey

I followed the link to the story and this just illustrates how liberating it can be. I should stress one needs to have reasonable balance and not be hugely over weight.

Age does not seem to be a factor but confidence and being prepared to spend a bit of time and effort adjusting it to suit one is important.

Cheers Richard

had first magnesium tablet yesterday.......Slept like a log right through the night. Slept so well that I don't remember if my legs were 'ansty' or not but they weren't before I went to sleep. Hope it continues for us. Richard is a gem on here and his advice is very sound. Upwards and onwards. 😉

😁 great news Sandra. I have not had the problem since taking the magnesium and am managing to get almost 7 hours sleep a night! 

Xx

how many mg do you take? I have 200mg tablets and it says take 1 or 2. I only took one yesterday

Mine are 500mg. I take one in the morning and one at night. I did check with my physio and she was happy with me taking them. They also have another benefit for me since my surgery - they seem to be keeping me regular without the use of laxatives.

Dear Sandra

I'm really delighted to hear that the Magnesium tablets worked for you last night. I still get the occassional small twinges but nothing like I used to get.

Cheers Richard