Help please re Ropinirole
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2020 11:21 pm
Hi everyone,
My old neurologist moved out of state and I went to a new one last week because my Ropinirole ER has begun to lose effectiveness. The new doctor added Gabapentin and told me to take it along with my Ropinirole. Since I was about out of my Ropinirole ER, he said he’d call in refill for that. Well, when I picked it up, it was Regular Ropinirole (the immediate release kind). I figured that would be okay but the first night I took the new Ropinirole and the Gabapentin, I was sick within 15 or 20 mins of taking it. Severe nausea to the point I couldn’t get up, dizziness, racing heart, and I became so hot I needed to ask my husband to put a cold cloth over my forehead. After about 20 mins of misery, the symptoms began to resolve and I fell asleep. We had eaten out thar night so I assumed it was bad food.
Then the following night, exact same thing happened. So I decided it must be the new Gabapentin drug. So, the next night I decided maybe I’d try spacing them out rather than taking them both at same time. I took the Ropinirole first. And to my surprise, I had the bad reaction. So, I realized at that point it was actually the Ropinirole rather than the Gabapentin. I scrounged up a couple Ropinirole ER that I had left and took one of those with the Gabapentin the next night and bam, no trouble. Slept well. RLS symptoms controlled.
I called Neurologist office yesterday and told them that I apparently react badly to Ropinirole immediate release and needed them to call in a new rx for the ER. The medical assistant advised me to not take any more the instant release and promised to call in ER. I went to pharmacy before they closed last night and they hadn’t received new rx from doctor. Ugh. I had ONE more ER tablet and took it last night with the gabapentin and again had a good night.
Called the doctors office FIVE times today and she kept telling me that the rx system must be down because she had electronically sent the rx to Walgreens twice. I told her I have no more ER left and need something to take tonight. She said unfortunately doctor won’t be in until Friday so she’s not able to send a fax but will try and send electronically again. I just got back from Walgreens. Guess what? They’ve received nothing. I literally broke out in tears in front of the girl at the prescription counter. She felt so bad but said she needs the doctors office to call and give a verbal so they can process a new rx for me. I went back and sat in my car and sobbed and once under control I called neurology office back. Message just went to voice mail. Probably already gone for the day.
I’m sorry this is so long and rambling but if anyone can understand my frustration I know y’all can. In my message to the neurology office, I told them I was up against the wall in that I don’t want to risk taking the immediate release and have those frightening symptoms again but at same time I need something. No return call.
So, after all that background, has anyone had this issue with being sick on immediate release Ropinirole before? Secondly, looks like I’m without Ropinirole tonight.....any suggestions? Is Gabapentin alone enough to effectively get me through the night? If so, how many should I take?
Thank you for any help/advice/moral support you can provide. I’m truly feeling beyond frustrated.
Cathy
My old neurologist moved out of state and I went to a new one last week because my Ropinirole ER has begun to lose effectiveness. The new doctor added Gabapentin and told me to take it along with my Ropinirole. Since I was about out of my Ropinirole ER, he said he’d call in refill for that. Well, when I picked it up, it was Regular Ropinirole (the immediate release kind). I figured that would be okay but the first night I took the new Ropinirole and the Gabapentin, I was sick within 15 or 20 mins of taking it. Severe nausea to the point I couldn’t get up, dizziness, racing heart, and I became so hot I needed to ask my husband to put a cold cloth over my forehead. After about 20 mins of misery, the symptoms began to resolve and I fell asleep. We had eaten out thar night so I assumed it was bad food.
Then the following night, exact same thing happened. So I decided it must be the new Gabapentin drug. So, the next night I decided maybe I’d try spacing them out rather than taking them both at same time. I took the Ropinirole first. And to my surprise, I had the bad reaction. So, I realized at that point it was actually the Ropinirole rather than the Gabapentin. I scrounged up a couple Ropinirole ER that I had left and took one of those with the Gabapentin the next night and bam, no trouble. Slept well. RLS symptoms controlled.
I called Neurologist office yesterday and told them that I apparently react badly to Ropinirole immediate release and needed them to call in a new rx for the ER. The medical assistant advised me to not take any more the instant release and promised to call in ER. I went to pharmacy before they closed last night and they hadn’t received new rx from doctor. Ugh. I had ONE more ER tablet and took it last night with the gabapentin and again had a good night.
Called the doctors office FIVE times today and she kept telling me that the rx system must be down because she had electronically sent the rx to Walgreens twice. I told her I have no more ER left and need something to take tonight. She said unfortunately doctor won’t be in until Friday so she’s not able to send a fax but will try and send electronically again. I just got back from Walgreens. Guess what? They’ve received nothing. I literally broke out in tears in front of the girl at the prescription counter. She felt so bad but said she needs the doctors office to call and give a verbal so they can process a new rx for me. I went back and sat in my car and sobbed and once under control I called neurology office back. Message just went to voice mail. Probably already gone for the day.
I’m sorry this is so long and rambling but if anyone can understand my frustration I know y’all can. In my message to the neurology office, I told them I was up against the wall in that I don’t want to risk taking the immediate release and have those frightening symptoms again but at same time I need something. No return call.
So, after all that background, has anyone had this issue with being sick on immediate release Ropinirole before? Secondly, looks like I’m without Ropinirole tonight.....any suggestions? Is Gabapentin alone enough to effectively get me through the night? If so, how many should I take?
Thank you for any help/advice/moral support you can provide. I’m truly feeling beyond frustrated.
Cathy