Two days

I have the weekend to go,then back to the hospital for surgery on my right knee. All is in order, all is lined up. All of my tests were normal, something both the nurse and surgeon said is not particularly common. Everyone who has told me about second knees assures me that the second surgery goes more easily. Not because there is less work but just because the patient knows what is ahead. Certainly for me the knowledge means a lot. So much was up in the air the last time. I have a better handle on what meds work and about how long it will take for me to get back on my own. This weekend, then, is mainly for tidying up. When I return home it won't be long before a nurse and physical therapist show up at the door. I want to be generally ready for them. I am excited. I have had a lot of pain in my right leg and I really hope to see improvement.

Changes!

I did see a massage therapist. In fact, I have seen her several times now, initially every week and now every two weeks. She works mostly on my legs but moves to wherever the need seems greatest. Yesterday she focused primarily on my right hip, the current bane of my existence. The Restless Leg Syndrome has decreased. It is still there but it is not as jolting and monstrous as it was. I manage, even without drugs, to get some sleep (although without drugs I still tend to wake frequently and even with drugs this is often true). I am not having long sleepless nights as I did before. As a result I have more energy. I am able to make little forays into parts of my home (cleaning and organizing) and go out in the world (errands) without feeling exhausted.

As for drugs. I did get a prescription for Requip, at a very low dosage (.25 mg), one per night. It helps me get to sleep but it does not keep me there. It does work, I repeat. I am relieved that I will have these with me when I am on a plane next week, not to mention when I am trying to get some sleep wherever I am. I do not want to be on drugs for the rest of my life so I will continue to look for alternative treatments. It does seem like massage helps. Maybe over time RLS will just become a vague memory.