Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

UNABLE TO SLEEP AND FEELS LIKE RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME BUT IN ARMS



Recommended Posts

I'm one week out of surgery and now I'm going thru some stuff I really don't care for and its driving me absolutely crazy. Ever since the surgery I can only sleep maybe 2 hrs at night and then as the night progresses my arms get jittery like restless leg syndrome but in the arms. The doc looked at me like I was crazy, does anyone have this????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

my sleep wasnt normal for about the first week.....i got about 5 hours in a night and once in a while id get restless legs but i believe it was because the stiches and soreness ...and i usually sleep on my stomach but couldnt...itll get better quick ...it did for me

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm one week out of surgery and now I'm going thru some stuff I really don't care for and its driving me absolutely crazy. Ever since the surgery I can only sleep maybe 2 hrs at night and then as the night progresses my arms get jittery like restless leg syndrome but in the arms. The doc looked at me like I was crazy, does anyone have this????

Are you by chance using liquid Tylenol or Tylenol PM? For some reason, I get restless leg syndrome issues at night when I use those products. Odd huh?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

my sleep wasnt normal for about the first week.....i got about 5 hours in a night and once in a while id get restless legs but i believe it was because the stiches and soreness ...and i usually sleep on my stomach but couldnt...itll get better quick ...it did for me

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My Dr told me to take tylenol pm rapid release to help me sleep but maybe i'll try going without it tonight and see if that is the problem. He also told me to take liquid benedryl, that didnt work and I actually woke up soooo sick this morning. but like I said my arm have that restless leg syndrome and I have my husband massage my up body and that isnt helping, kinda like muscle spasims I guess. I seriously feel like a crackhead on a really good trip, lol.... But its really fustrating to me

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

my sleep wasnt normal for about the first week.....i got about 5 hours in a night and once in a while id get restless legs but i believe it was because the stiches and soreness ...and i usually sleep on my stomach but couldnt...itll get better quick ...it did for me

Thx Doeboy, I sleep on my stomach too and ya thats not really an option now. Im up to 3 hrs of sleep now when I can get to sleep, hopefully in a couple days

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I actually get this really bad if I take any antihistamines - I didn't realize for a long time what it was, but whenever I took benadryl, etc, Tylenol PM, anything with a "-hydramine" in it, I get crazy restless arm/leg/whatever - feels like bugs crawling under my skin and I just want to rip it off, it's awful!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Leslie, I had trouble sleeping too for the first week or so. You're not alone. Like doeboy, I wonder if its those of us who like sleeping on our stomachs? I do, and its hard for me to sleep any other way.

I was able to start sleeping on my stomach about a week and a half later, and as I think back, that was around the time I was able to sleep better.

I've never heard of the Tylenol thing, but wow - I wonder if that's me too. I felt restless leg syndrome type stuff too when I was taking a lot of the liquid Tylenol.

Interesting...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

it sounds like a drug interaction kinda thing, and i heard the anesthesia and post op drugs can stay in your system up to 3 weeks. hope you feel better soon.....vicki

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Every time I've gone really, really low carb, I get way more muscle spasms, and I've figured out that if I take extra potassium, it calms them right down. Do your muscles feel twitchy? I wonder if you're low on potassium?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the same exact issues. The nutritionists said it is more than likely low Calcium. Once I started taking calcium citrate with Magnesium and Vitamin D, it went away.

I'm just starting this regimen since last night. I noticed I was getting a lot of leg cramps. I didn't figure it was dehydration because I drink a lot of Water all day long. Then I remembered I'd not been taking any calcium. I'm not eating hardly any dairies and drinking zero milk... made perfect sense. I went to Vitamin Shoppe last night and bought some calcium citrate with Magnesium, and a bottle of Potassium Citrate. I already feel better. I'm already taking 5,000 BU of Vitamin D - so that wasn't necessary.

I'm going to take 2 doses of this stuff per day. One with Breakfast and one with dinner. I'll take my chewable Iron I bought as well with lunch. Wish me luck!!

It's not easy figuring all this stuff out! I'll get it though.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm just starting this regimen since last night. I noticed I was getting a lot of leg cramps. I didn't figure it was dehydration because I drink a lot of Water all day long. Then I remembered I'd not been taking any Calcium. I'm not eating hardly any dairies and drinking zero milk... made perfect sense. I went to Vitamin Shoppe last night and bought some calcium citrate with Magnesium, and a bottle of Potassium Citrate. I already feel better. I'm already taking 5,000 BU of Vitamin D - so that wasn't necessary.

I'm going to take 2 doses of this stuff per day. One with Breakfast and one with dinner. I'll take my chewable Iron I bought as well with lunch. Wish me luck!!

It's not easy figuring all this stuff out! I'll get it though.

Glad it helps! I am becoming a regular at the Vitamin Shoppe.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have RLS and take medication for it. You are not crazy, you can get it in your arms too. RLS can be triggered in some ppl after the trauma of surgery, etc. Also, it is ALWAYS worse at night. If you don't have a reduction in symptoms within the next week, I would suggest seeing a dr that treats RLS. Best of luck to you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×