Rustsmith wrote:My Mirapex dose is 0.25mg and I augmented first on mirapex, then on Neupro and went back on Mirapex because I was about to do an interstate move, so I had to wait until I got in with a new doctor before starting opioids. As for clonazepam, I take a 1mg Quick Dissolving Tablet and learned that I have to take it while sitting in bed because I am going to be out in just a couple of minutes. As for Tramadol, I take 200mg of the ER form, which I would take at lunchtime and I normally take 600mg gabapentin. With that said, my current treatment is much heavier in the way of meds and I would prefer not to give the specifics because it is only a temporary thing to help me get over the major problems that were created by taking Wellbutrin last week.
I have been on CPAP ever since I was diagnosed with RLS. I was fortunate to actually get a formal diagnosis of UARS, which in those days required a nasal catheter to measure the vacuum created in the esophagus below the split to the lungs when the throat closes off. The catheter was most uncomfortable, but it was only for one night and provided clear evidence of UARS.
I have used two different CPAP machines over the last 8 yrs. Both worked fine, but I switched models when the computer module on my first one gave out and made it impossible to get my AHI numbers.
Yes, I am mostly a side sleeper, but found out from the sleep study that I spend more time on my back than I thought that I did. The bigger issue has been that I had nasal blockage for most of my life, so I mostly breathe through my mouth. That means that I must wear a full face mask that covers both my nose and mouth. The doctor tried various chin straps and nasal systems and all that they did was cause my lips to blow out when I would exhale.
My current CPAP model is an auto-CPAP made by Resmed. After going through the "titration" CPAP study at a sleep clinic to get my pressure settings and being fitted for a mask, I passed on the "lease-purchase" deal that the doctor's office offered and ordered everything from CPAP.com using the prescription that my doctor was required to provide to me. Insurance will usually not cover CPAP machines and masks for UARS patients, so I bought it myself and paid about the same thing was my insurance co-pay would have been. CPAP.com delivered everything in a couple of days and they have treated me wonderfully over the years that I have been doing business with them.
Thanks for this info
Without getting too in depth , how did both you and your doctor feel about going on mirapex again after 2 DA augmentation experiences ?
Do you take .25 every night?
How long have you been on it this time ?
I know you mentioned the interstate move for going back to it, but do you plan to eliminate mirapex now that you've got your tramadol script ?
So ... like you I have enlarged and often swollen turbinates
My left side is worse
I decided not to have invasive surgery up here in Canada years ago
(I could have gone to the USA and paid $10000 for a 10 minute procedure with a laser , but it may have only temporarily fixed the problem)
I went with a steroid spray for years .
.... now I just rely on breathe right strips and an elevated head of my bed
I'm not sure if this is your exact issue as well, but either way we both breathe through our mouth
I MUST be able to breathe through my nose to sleep (or at least to fall asleep )
I run into problems when I add medications to the mix ..
THC , clonazepam, and most lately codeine.
Combine that with exhaustion , and I stop breathing.
Tramadol does not give me this problem , however it sure gives me other unbearable problems .... sigh ...
I'm surprised my sleep specialist hasnt brought my UARS up lately when trying to convince me to fix my rls naturally.
I think he was more interested in ditching me completely at that visit
The following visit he put me back on mirapex 0.0625mg
He mentioned methadone, but politely explained he no longer had his license to prescribe it (how convenient)
Did you find your rls improved when you started using the CPAP ?
(Did you at least notice your sleep improved ?)
Lastly , was your UARS itself the reason you went with the CPAP , or were the use of rls meds part of the decision ?
... sorry , I apparently asked you like 7 different questions