requip is killing me

scully · Post by **scully** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 2:18 am

i think requip is making me very ill. i am dizzy, tired, out of breath, very weak/sore muscles, nightmares, palpataions, etc. i am taking 2ml for rls and feel like i am being poisoned. i have been on it for 3 months. i too wake up at 4pm, can't go back to sleep. it is making my life worse than i rls.

ksxroads · Post by **ksxroads** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:12 pm

Scully,

My Requip experience was very similar to yours. If you wouldn't mind, please add your side affects to Ann's thread ...

http://bb.rls.org/viewtopic.php?t=1426

There are other medications that have proven effective in treating RLS. Read through the Mayo algorithm and print out the information to share with your doctor. Hopefully, you will find something you can use a difference medication without these side affects to manage your RLS.

It was my experience that I did not tolerate any of the Requip, Mirapex, hypnotic medications ... and have been limited to the opiods. RLS is difficult enough to live with, no one should have to endure unbearable side effects.

Sending you positive thoughts of energy, Hazel

bfeher · Post by **bfeher** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:40 am

I have been on Requip (1ml) twice a day since August 05. I felt the same side affects that you all did. I had to have something that works so I stuck out the side affects. Today my legs are 97% better. When I am extremely tire they start to jerk. My arm has jerked like my legs several time so I don't know what my body is doing. I work steady midnight so I am tired all of the time!!!! Requip has helped me. If I miss a day, my legs start jerking again.. Good Luck to you all. barb PS-I am so glad I found this organization. Most people don't know or understand what RLS is all about!

ksxroads · Post by **ksxroads** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 5:48 pm

So glad you found us too! All that share their stories help others in so many ways. You may not realize it but a single post may change one person's mind set and allow them to carry one in their search for answers. I am glad you are here! Hazel

rlsseattle · Post by **rlsseattle** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 7:19 pm

Same experience on Requip and Mirapex. Helped for about 3 hours at bedtime, except I was wired. Finally fell asleep for about 1-2 hours, then woke up and could not get back to sleep.

Had to quit when I developed narcolepsy--sudden sleep attacks, particularly when sitting still--such as driving on the hwy. Would find myself startling myself awake. Had to pull over and sleep. Even in mid-day.

Slow-release opioid is perfect. No more big-time leg pain, absolutely no RLS symptoms, and sleeping great.

Got to eat loads and loads of fiber and fruit and drink an ocean of water. Get regular exercise.

Ovr53 · Post by **Ovr53** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 9:23 pm

I havent been on requip very long, about a month or so, im wondering if it just takes time to build up in system before it actually starts working well? You stated "slow release" opiods work best, what is slow release? i sometimes get percocets for pain from stenosis, 5 mg, that works more than anything, but the Drs. dont like giving that out, not on a continuous basis. Sometimes my arms will flop around too, mainly my left arm, it is affected most from my scoliosis/stenosis. Im glad it doesnt get as bad as my legs.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 27, 2006 7:47 pm

scully wrote:i think requip is making me very ill. i am dizzy, tired, out of breath, very weak/sore muscles, nightmares, palpataions, etc. i am taking 2ml for rls and feel like i am being poisoned. i have been on it for 3 months. i too wake up at 4pm, can't go back to sleep. it is making my life worse than i rls.

*****************************************
I am also having trouble with Requip. It can leave me dopey the next day and keeps me sleepy. When I had a cold and took Tylenol for flu, I hallucinated and had horrible dreams.

The amount of medication has continually risen and I am ready to look for another treatment.

I have issues with my legs and my shoulders. Sleep can be a challenge.

Anyone have input about Neurosil? I recently saw their ad on the web.

Janet Judah · Post by **Janet Judah** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 2:25 am

I have been taking Mirapex for severe RLS after trying almost everything else. Mirapex is a wonder drug for me but now my insurance company has informed me it will no longer pay for the drug. I am desolate. I thought maybe Requip would help....now I'm afraid to try it. Has anyone had GOOD results?

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 3:27 am

Janet, lots of people have had great luck with Requip. The problem with a board like this is that only people with problems post about them! When the legs are quiet and all is good, most people don't hang out here (well a few of us do, but we have a symbioltic relationship with this place)!

That said, some people have difficulty switching from Mirapex to Requip. You won't know unless you try, though. From the posts I've read, I'd guess that most people who have trouble were having difficulty with Mirapex causing augmentation (increase in symptoms caused by the drug) and they might have had problems switching to any med. Since you are not having problems with it, hopefully you won't have any with it.

Just curious, why won't they cover it anymore? You must be very upset - I would be! If you didn't know, Mirapex is currently in clinical trials to be approved for RLS. If they denied it because it's not an approved drug for RLS, it should be available in the US for RLS as an approved treatment in the next year or so. Also, is there any way you can appeal? If this drug works for you, and there are many clinical trial that show it works for this disease, I would think you'd have a good case. If an appeal won't work, you could also try contacting the manufacturer if you want to continue it and can't afford it.

Ann

ksxroads · Post by **ksxroads** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 4:22 pm

Janet,

Ann is right you can do a search of this site find posts of others who have used Requip with no problems. Like Ann says those that find relief tend to not hang around!

These medications like Requip and Mirapex do help about 80% of the RLS population.

Here is one site that lists manufacturers information about obtaining free or reduced meds. If you do an online search you can find many, look for ones who offer free information, you do not have to pay to find out about these programs, you just have to search a little!

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?sectio ... ntID=19169

Hope that you are not denied the medication for long. Hazel

erussell26 · Post by **erussell26** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:13 pm

I've just started taking requip in the last month and I'm only taking .75mg with Ambien. It seems to give me some relief but after reading everyone else's experience w/requip I want to quit b4 I get too hooked! I'm already experiencing increased RLS during the day...

So how do I stop using requip? Cold turkey?

I'm new to rls.org but I've had it as long as I can remember. I'm a 46 yr old female.

Thank you all for providing some very good information!

erussell26

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:19 pm

Hi errussell,

If you are getting increased RLS and it's been a month, you may be making a wise decision to stop it. I am prone to seeing the augmentation devil everywhere, but if it's only been a month and you didn't used to have it during the day. . .

You can't stop any of these meds cold turkey, though after only a month it shouldn't be bad. You might want to call your doctor first. You can switch to Mirapex without problem. You would need only .25 Mirapex for the .75 Requip. And probably not need the Ambien as Mirapex will put you to sleep. You can just stop the Requip and start the Mirapex the same day.

If you decide to stop it at all, you need to decide first what you want to do about drugs. If you have it daily, and it's affecting your life, you may not be able to go without them. On the other hand, many people can manage their RLS just fine by adjusting lifestyle and adding supplements. There is a lot more info in the New to RLS? sticky on managing RLS and in the Non-Pharm section.

Welcome to the board!
Ann

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:42 pm

I was having wierd symptoms as well when my dosage was raised to 2mgs. Heart palpitations, episodes of dizziness and fatigue. (it also seemed to coralate with my menstrual cycle.) I went to the doctor and found i was boderline anemic. (My levels were the lowest numbers in each range) My doctor said, "my numbers weren't low enough to suggest any coarse of action at this time."

(Funny how my rls seems to be worse now then it has ever been!!!) Both my family dr and female dr are blaiming the requip, but what if its the anemia??? I don't have any prior blood work to show what MY normal is!!! My episodes are gone now and I still take 2mgs. every night!! So your guess is as good as mine!
Stacey

rella · Post by **rella** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:06 pm

Anonymous wrote:I was having wierd symptoms as well when my dosage was raised to 2mgs. Heart palpitations, episodes of dizziness and fatigue. (it also seemed to coralate with my menstrual cycle.) I went to the doctor and found i was boderline anemic. (My levels were the lowest numbers in each range) My doctor said, "my numbers weren't low enough to suggest any coarse of action at this time." (Funny how my rls seems to be worse now then it has ever been!!!) Both my family dr and female dr are blaiming the requip, but what if its the anemia??? I don't have any prior blood work to show what MY normal is!!! My episodes are gone now and I still take 2mgs. every night!! So your guess is as good as mine!
Stacey

ksxroads · Post by **ksxroads** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:56 pm

Stacy,

Has the doctor checked your ferritin levels (body's storage of iron), those who suffer from RLS may find iron therapy helpful if they can bring the ferritin levels above 50... my regular blood work did not indicate any anemia, however my ferritin level was 5...

I have been on iron therapy and slowly the ferritin levels are improving, yet I really have not noticed any improvement in the RLS.

Use the search option above and do a search for posts about ferritin levels. Also you may look in the post it notes in New to RLS for more information which you can share with your dr.

How are you doing? Hopefully you are not continuing to experience the heart palpitations, etc.

Hazel

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board