Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Discussion Board

Hi all,

I've had RLS for several years. Over the last year, I've found that I have to switch back and forth between Mirapex and Requip. I ramp up each one up slowly (over 4-5 weeks). Once I'm at 1 mg for a couple of weeks, the augmentation sets in. Then I switch to the other, and slowly ramp it up.

Has anyone else had such rapid augmentation issues? The weird thing is that every time I switch, I get relief within a few days, which lasts until the augmentation sets in.

I'm also on Neurontin (600 mgs at bedtime) and Tylenol #3.

I augmented in less than a week with Mirapex, the same day with Sinemet and the same day with Requip. It seems that some of us just can't use these without experiencing it.

Sorry you are going through that.

One thing you shouldn't have to do, though, is start low and ramp up. Mirapex and Requip can be subbed directly for each other, as I understand it. Requip is taken about 3 to 1 to Mirapex, so if you were on 1.5 mg of Requip, you'd just switch to .5 mg of Mirapex when you switched. Not sure that helps any as you probably will still augment anyway, and the break from the high dose may actually be what helps you have a little relief.

Thanks so much for your reply! I'd read all of the threads on augmentation, and I'm thinking, "It CAN'T be that, that would take weeks and months." It's amazingly crazy.

I've tried switching right over, and I go absolutely nuts with augmentation. It takes one day without anything, and then ramping up.

What a complex, miserable disorder.

Sounds like you need to avoid all of the DAs (like too many of use here!).

This disorder truly is miserable.

If you need any assistance with what to try next, let us know. In my opinion, and I'm not a doc, it would be a good thing to stop taking the DAs and quickly. They aren't doing you any good, you are miserable, and your'e fighting a losing battle with them. Give yourself a break and get your doc to try something else.