restless legs after AVR

[gadoty1]

has anyone had problems with aching legs and restless legs after valve replacements? Whenever I lay down to try and take a nap or go to bed my legs start aching like i need to keep moving them around. If I lie on my sides it's not as bad but it keeps me up at night. Maybe it has to do with coumadin or just the fact that my legs are getting a lot more blood flow then before?

 

[gadoty1]

wanted to add that I don't drink anything with caffiene and i am taking Toprol but I have been taking that for a few months before my surgery with no problems.

 

[Woodbutcher]

I had mine done in december and no I've not had achy or restless legs ? I'd love to be able to sleep on my side again though, still far too uncomfortable...

 

[Faye]

I have had restless legs my entire life but one of the blessings of my OHS was finding something that helped. Right after surgery my doc had me on 400mg of magnesium every evening for a month. I did not have one night of restless legs and I thought they were better because of the improved circulation. When my month of magnesium was over, the leg issue returned. The only thing that had changed was the magnesium so I started taking it again - 2 days later the jumpy legs were gone. My pharmacist confirmed that magnesium and iron both help with restless legs. I won't go a day without it!
Maybe you could try it? It is good for the heart, doesn't affect your INR, and helps jumpy legs.

Good Luck - jumpy legs are horrible!

 

[Phyllis]

Don't know if this is ridiculous or not, but a friend with restless leg syndrome swears by an answer she found on the internet- a bar of ivory soap placed under the sheet at the bottom of the bed every night?????

 

[abbanabba]

I've also always had restless legs and totally agree with Faye about the magnesium! It acts on the muscles as a relaxant so helps with cramps/twitches and can even help regulate your heart beat. Have a chat to your GP about it to make sure there's no problems with you taking it (because even OTC vitamins can have side effects).

Check out this site: http://www.vitamin-update.com/definition.cfm/id/33.html to get some detailed info on magnesium, including RDI and food sources. Another thing to remember if you intend to take a supplement is to look for a higher portion of magnisum chelate over magnesim oxide, as the chelated form is more easily absorbed by the body whereas too much of of the oxidised magnesium will just pass through your system, sometimes causing diahorrea.


A : )

 

[lynnconnolly]

Whatever you do, don't take Dostinex for RLS - if it's even still available. It's also called Cabergoline and there's another called Pergolide. It was taking Cabergoline for RLS that caused my valve problems.

I now take Ropinirole, also called Adartrel or Requip, which ironically is nowhere near as effective but it's better than nothing!

Hope you manage to get it sorted.

 

[Roger Frank]

FWIW - I've experienced many more episodes of RLS after my AVR. Not much has changed other then I've now introduced anticoagulants to my daily intake.

It's my understanding RLS is still a bit of a mystery but one theory is falling levels of Serotonin.

 

[baldstuart]

I agree with Faye 100 percent. Our Doctor recommended the same for my husband after OHS. He said many minerals are depleted after surgery and that may increase the RLS affects. So supplementing with Magnesium and Iron are very helpful.Good luck in your search.

 

[Marguerite53]

I do not experience RLS, I don't think, but I do have achey legs almost every night. More like leg cramps. I used to take a calcium with magnesium but switched pill manufacturers and will check my magnesium...thanks to those of you for that information.

I have found that if I do some light stretching before I go to bed this helps enormously. Just the calf type stretches you would do after walking or running (some standing with hands on wall and legs back one at a time to stretch, some on the floor with legs in a V and leaning over to each foot to stretch.)

Good info...thanks for starting this thread.

Marguerite

 

[gadoty1]

Thanks for the info. I'll try taking a magnesium supplement or getting more thru foods and see if that helps.

 

[Lynlw]

Don't know if this is ridiculous or not, but a friend with restless leg syndrome swears by an answer she found on the internet- a bar of ivory soap placed under the sheet at the bottom of the bed every night?????

That's for leg cramps, I use it and it really works, I used to get them almost nightly, but since the Ivory I rarely get one. but it is funny it only last a few (4-5?) months then they start again, but I put in a new bar of soap and perfect.

 

[Marguerite53]

That's for leg cramps, I use it and it really works, I used to get them almost nightly, but since the Ivory I rarely get one. but it is funny it only last a few (4-5?) months then they start again, but I put in a new bar of soap and perfect.

I think this may be worth a try for me!! Wonder what my dog will think. He sleeps at my feet. He hates the smell of soap. Hmmm. well, we are getting a little tired of his monopolizing the middle of the bed!! I'll let you know if it works!

Marguerite

 

[Phyllis]

I think this may be worth a try for me!! Wonder what my dog will think. He sleeps at my feet. He hates the smell of soap. Hmmm. well, we are getting a little tired of his monopolizing the middle of the bed!! I'll let you know if it works!

Marguerite

Google restless leg syndrome and ivory soap and you will get quite a few results re: using it for both restless leg syndrome and cramps.