Hello,

I had a pain pump replaced and implanted last Friday. The moment I awakened from surgery my legs were going crazy. I was kicking my legs out, pounding my heels on the bed, hitting my ankles together over and over again. I also felt like I was losing my mind. I was completely out of control. I asked for something to calm me down since no-one was bothering to try to help me or find out what was wrong. I was given 1mg. Of versed. The leg issues continued to get worse. I asked for more meds. At this point I truly thought I was going to lose my mind. I was given 2.mg of versed.Apparently my neurosurgeon came out to observe me but did nothing about it.

I was causing a huge rukus in the recovery room. I thought that if I could walk then I would be ok. They refused to let me walk, however they did get me up to a room and out of their hair very quickly. As soon as I was in the room I walked myself to the bathroom. When I lie down my legs would fly out in front of me and stiffen and then my ankles would hit together. During this whole time not one doctor came to see me or tried to figure out what was wrong. My husband ended up walking with me for 3.5 hours after surgery. Everytime I took a step my foot would come off the ground, jerk into the opposite side and return to the floor.

At this point I'm begging my nurse to help me. He said there was nothing he could do. I begged for ativan as that is a medication given to me when I have mild restless legs. I was told no because my family doctor only prescribed it for before bedtime not prn! Again, no one is trying to help me. I told my nurse that I was going to sign out ama because I knew I had ativan at home and I could help myself better. My husband threatened to call the patient care line and report abuse. I finally had the head nurses and the doctors head nurse in my room. I was given 1mg pill of ativan and nothing happened. I was then given another mg of ativan via iv and slowly my legs calmed down and I felt normal again.

I want to know what caused this. I spoke with surgeon today who said in the 1200 surgeries he has done he has never seen a patient react the way I did. His colleague said the same thing. He feels that since the pump part of the surgery went fine then it was a successful surgery. He also told me "no where in medical documents does it say that ativan can be used for restless legs!"

I'm very worried about having another surgery. Does this kind of behavior sound familiar to anyone?

Thanks.

Cindy

Cindy,
I had a similar experience recently coming out of theatre after having my appendix removed.
I have had PD and restless leg syndrome for around three years.
My experience was not as severe as yours, but the two nurses in the recovery room were clearly uncomfortable with me thrashing about and moaning.
After about twenty minutes, the restless legs settled down and I was taken to a regular ward to sleep it off.
However I was then given intravenous anti biotics for five days to combat infection. After two days on these I believed I was on the Starship Enterprise heading for an unknown galaxy!
Arsene