REQUIP Argh#@*&^%!!!

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 4:19 pm

You just get "caught" up after a few doses - not sure about higher doses. Requip is really short acting - 3 to 4 hours. So, if it takes at least 60 minutes to start to work, then another hour or two to take a "bite" out of symptoms, you only have an hour or so of relief! But, if you take your next dose at the right time, you end up catching up and getting ahead within a few doses.

I hope someone will correct me if I'm wrong - but I do not think that the Requip studies EVER took anyone with "difficult" RLS. They took patients who needed medication in the evening and at night, but not daytime. So, the only knowledge base about this stuff that I know of is the anecdotal stuff we pass around these boards.

The DA patch that is in trial will resolve the dosing problems for those with daily RLS. It is very long-lasting and supposedly will have a much lower rate of augmentation, if any.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 4:50 pm

sleepless in ala · Post by **sleepless in ala** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:36 pm

Requip made my RLS worse too. It was only in the right leg until I took Requip, then it started in the left and I still have it there even though I stopped the Requip a long time ago.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:46 pm

Requip made my RLS worse too. It was only in the right leg until I took Requip, then it started in the left and I still have it there even though I stopped the Requip a long time ago.

rella · Post by **rella** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 1:28 am

Hi Ann,
I was just read that sticky. Thank You!!! I will discuss this with my Dr. I've been taking Requip for about 5 months now, I tried not to take it one night HUGE MISTAKE, (It felt like my skin was going to walk off on its own!!) I guess i will have to dose down. Can I take the Mirapex while i'm dosing down the Requip???
The Discussion boards have been very informative. Reading the posts of others, I am horrified at the thought that i might have to bounce from med to med or take a cocktail of meds to find what i need!!!
I am going to get my ferritin levels checked and take the rls/ferritin info to my Dr. Thanks to Hazels suggestion!!!
Us Newbies are so blessed to have such informed, intelligent folk such as yourself and Hazel to help us out!!! I/WE CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH!!!!

Stacey

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 3:43 am

Hi Stacey - because Requip does not need to be reduced and Mirapex works similarly (but not identically), in theory, you should be able to just switch - one day take Requip, the next take Mirapex in its place. You only take 1/3 the amount of Mirapex - so, if you are on 2 mg of Requip, you would take .5 to .65 mg of Mirapex.

Like you've noticed, the reality is that this is relatively uncharted territory and each of us had different expeiences. This may work for you. . .it may not. Hopefully it will.

ksxroads · Post by **ksxroads** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 8:16 pm

Hello Stacey, rella, sleepless, EM, Ann and you too!

How are things going? Hopefully you are all experiencing a fairly pain free day and night!

***********Positive Thoughts of Energy*************

Stacey, We are glad to have you with us to share your experiences, every one is unique and what helps one may not help another, yet somewhere down the line someone is going to have questions or results similar to your situation and what you leave here will help them.

While I wish that no one had to have RLS it is great to see that the word is getting out and people are finding helpful suggestions on the discussion board.

**********Positive Energy***********

Hazel

rella · Post by **rella** » Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:14 pm

Thank you Ann,
Thank you Hazel,

I Would have never known where to start, or what to even consider doing, if it weren't for this discussion board!!!

I going to try and find a Dr with more knowledge of rls. and/or get a referral to a neurologist.

Stacey

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Sat Jul 22, 2006 12:59 am

Hi Stacey,

You are very welcome (from me - not sure about Hazey :wink:

)

Just one caveat. . .just because the information is on this board doesn't mean any docs know it. Nor will they listen if you take it to them and show them. It's truly sad. Some of us try to educate our empathetic primary care docs, others try to live with their non-human neuros. It often seems that the specialists can be the hardest to work with. I know it's mean, but it's true - during med school, they skipped classes on humility, listening to their patients, and and having empathy. And, in med specialist school they were taught that no one knows more than they do and that they are always right - no matter what!

Many of us can tell you stories about what it's like to hope against hope tha "this doc" is the one, only to leave their office in tears because they, too, didn't really get it.

So, look, search, but keep your standards high and your expectations moderate. You might not be so disappointed and will eventually find someone that will work out for you.

neelia · Post by **neelia** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:40 am

Wow! What a great place!! I have been taking Requip for about 4 months now. and just putting up with the nausea & dizziness. Occasionally I will forget my meds, and boy do my legs ever start to remind me as I fall asleep! The pain is exhausting as is the jerking. Of course, I have to get up to take it and that in itself helps.

I just got put on Klonopin, and was never instructed by the doc to wean myself off the Requip.

I am now afraid to lie down as I left my Requip at work by mistake. In fact, as I sit here my legs are starting to "tingle"...

Do I take the Klonopin tonight? What about the Requip??

ctravel12 · Post by **ctravel12** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:14 am

I take Requip and in the beginning it made me nauseated. I now split the dosages (Corrie in the support group suggested it) I take .5mg around 6pm my time and then the second dosage .5mg 1-2 hrs before retiring. It did let me sleep somewhat. The one thing that I do not like about Requip is that I do not sleep through the night. In fact, I have been dizzy at times and just noticed that since I was taken Requip. I am really at a quandry at what to do. I did take Clonazepam (before Requip) and helped in the beginning and then the rls started in again. I still have the problem in the daytime. I read in one of the threads that Requip only works for about 4-6 hours. If anyone has other info I am certainly open for any suggestions.

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:47 am

Charlene, please help me understand. Do you want to stop the Requip? Or try to make it work?

If you want to stop it, I would suggest asking your doc about Mirapex. The dose is much lower (1/3) and it lasts longer.

If you want to supplement it, you can take Klonopin with it since that med helped before. Or you can try something else. Many people get the best relief with a "cocktail" of meds. Ultram, opioids, Neurontin (or other anti-siezure drugs) are all options.

The hardest part about RLS is that, for some of us, one med does not work well or we have to try many to find the one that does. If you have some time, you might want to read about the various meds you can take at the RLShelp.org site. This might help you evaluate your options. Most anything can be taken together, with very few exceptions.

Post by **ViewsAskew** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 2:48 am

Neelia, I replied to you at your other post.

ctravel12 · Post by **ctravel12** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 3:10 am

Ann, I would like to stop taking Requip. It does help my legs in the evening, however do not like the sleep habit that I am getting from it and the effects it gives me in the daytime. I have an appt with the dr in Sept. and will discuss that with her. I will check out the site that you suggested. Thank you for your help. I am sure that you are thinking that I am losing it as not too long ago I sent a post saying I was feeling much better with the South Beach Diet, but apparently that did not last long.