I am new to this forum and have learned a lot from reading all of your posts. My RLS got significantly worse about 2 years ago where it started affecting all aspects of my life. My PCP officially diagnosed me about 1 1/2 years ago and put me on Roprinole 1 mg. I had to take it every night but after a year I started augmenting. I found an RLS specialist in Houston with the Methodist Movement Disorders Clinic and went to see him last week. He told me that Roprinole was the least effective of the dopamine drugs and put me on Neupro. He also explained the other class of drugs (gabapentin, opiods, etc.). Luckily he had several dosing samples of the Neupro so I haven't had to purchase it. I started with the 1 mg patch and it did nothing at all for me. The next two days I used a 2 mg patch and it alleviated the majority of the symptoms, but I still had difficulty sleeping through the night. The 3rd night (last night) the RLS symptoms were out of control. I added a 1 mg patch to see if it would help, but no luck. I couldn't sleep for more than 2 hours without having to get up ... and my "normal" walking and/or stretching wouldn't help. I was literally on my stationary bicycle at 2 a.m. so I could get relief. I am so frustrated because I thought this was going to be my miracle patch. Now I don't know if I should keep taking the 2 mg patch, try 3 mg, or what. (Just to note, I have emailed my doctor for his response.)
The dr has also given me orders to have iron IV infusion, but I am having some difficulty getting it scheduled. My ferritin level was only 10 when I had labs done last month. I had labs done again last week but haven't received the results yet. I do already take a multivitamin with iron and iron supplements, so I feel confident that my insurance will approve it.
Sorry for the rambling, lack of sleep will do that.
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For all of you who have been through this, I'd love your opinion on if I should keep taking the Neupro and, if so, 2 or 3 mg? I'm hoping that once I do get the iron infusion that it will help the effectiveness of the neupro. I've read a lot of you are on a variety of meds for RLS, but right now this is my option. Just a side note ... I do take Duloxetine (Cymbalta) for depression and fibromyalgia. And, as I am in Texas, medical marijuana is not an option ... although I have a daughter in Washington State so I guess I could make a trip out there. lol
I would love all suggestions anyone would be willing to give! Thank you!!