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Whether new to RLS or new to the site, we welcome you and invite you to share your history and experiences with RLS/WED, introduce yourself, and ask questions. Successful treatment starts with a solid understanding of this disease.
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tumbleweeds
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2016 3:17 pm

New to forum

Post by tumbleweeds »

hi all, I've had RLS for as long as I can remember. It took me until I was in my 40's to actually get help for it and medication. Before that time I would try to manage it and had a long list of things I would do. Mostly they didn't work. I'm currently taking .75mg of Mirapex and 600mg of Gapapetin. The problem I've been having are hallucinations from the Mirapex, I think, which I don't consider acceptable. Since I live in Colorado and marijuana is legal here I'm trying to get off of the mirapex and see if marijuana works for me. I just got my medical Marijuana card and have started the process of weaning myself off Mirapex. So, I would like to share my journey and hopefully help others. thanks

Rustsmith
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Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2013 9:31 pm
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Re: New to forum

Post by Rustsmith »

Welcome to the group tumbleweeds. As you have probably already seen, hallucinations are a known side effect that can occur with pramipexole/Mirapex. The 0.75 mg dose that you have been taking is rather high for the treatment of RLS. The normal max that is recommended is 0.5 mg and some doctors are even starting to limit it to 0.25 mg because of issues associated with augmentation. Unfortunately, getting off of pramipexole is not a simple matter. Hopefully the marijuana will be sufficient to help you get off of pramipexole, but most of us require something stronger. Of course, there are some doctors who recommend quitting cold turkey. But that usually results in four to five days of zero sleep followed by 10 to 28 days of increasing levels of sleep until you return to your RLS baseline.
Steve

https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/a ... 0/fulltext
Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

ViewsAskew
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Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:37 am
Location: Los Angeles

Re: New to forum

Post by ViewsAskew »

Welcome, tumbleweeds. Steve provided great advice.

Looking forward to hearing about how this works for you.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

tumbleweeds
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Mar 29, 2016 3:17 pm

Re: New to forum

Post by tumbleweeds »

Thanks for your information. Yes I know that hallucinations are a common and known side effect. I didn't know until recently that my dosage of Mirapex is rather high. I've been to many sleep specialists over the years. I'll write about my marijuana experiment in the non prescriptive supplement area in this forum.

ViewsAskew
Moderator
Posts: 16571
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:37 am
Location: Los Angeles

Re: New to forum

Post by ViewsAskew »

Many docs wouldn't find your current dose high. It's only the most up-to-date docs who would.
Ann - Take what you need, leave the rest

Managing Your RLS

Opinions presented by Discussion Board Moderators are personal in nature and do not, in any way, represent the opinion of the RLS Foundation, and are not medical advice.

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