Pramipexole and serious side effects

[rthom]

You as well

[Polar Bear]

Good luck today in work. I hope you manage to get through it, grab a little lunchtime nap if you need it to help keep you going.

[jakesmom]

Thanks PB

[debbluebird]

Poor choice of words on my part. I know it's hell. I've gone through it. I thought I was going crazy. I was working at the time too. I should have said hang in there. Don't worry about seeming bitchy. I would too.
You might try and cut an oxy in half while at work. I know how difficult this is. Glad Dr. B is supportive.

[jakesmom]

Thanks Deb,

One of my coworkers told me I looked hungover.

Lol. I feel like I have been run over by a bus.

[badnights]

I can' imagine trying to work like that. It must be beyond dreadful. Can you not take some time off, to suffer and to catch what naps you can until this is over?

The oxycodone per se might not be a problem, rather it might be that the oxy lets you feel your tiredness. That might sound whacky but it's what I think happens sometimes. When we've been dreadfully sleep-deprived, we get by despite that because of the hyper-arousal that is a component of the disease. Then when we get the WED treated, ka-booom! we crash - not from a side effect of the treatment, but from having the hyper-arousal removed, and your body finally being given leave to feel exactly how tired it really is.

Consider, if possible, and if you have enough oxycodone, taking it during the day. If you are taking enough to truly deal with the augmentation, you should be able to sleep after the first few days, and to function once you've caught up on your sleep.

[jakesmom]

Day 6 dawns.

I have a sinus infection and my jaw is killing me. I know that is also contributing to the fatigue factor. I slept 4.5 straight hours, which was nice, but I am still so tired. I can't take off work right now. Too much going on.

I took a nap during lunch yesterday. I slept 40 min before legs woke me up.

My daytime symptoms are down to a manageable 3-4 on the pain scale. Nighttime is 6-8.

I don't know that I can get more oxy. I am going to call her today to see if there is something she can give me, that can be faxed in, that I can supplement with during the day.

The first week is almost over, hopefully it will be more downhill from here. Friday can't get here fast enough!!!!

[jakesmom]

Wow. My first pramipexole free week is in the books.
I called the doc yesterday to get something I could take for pain during the day and for all the manic behaviors. Tramadol and Topamax have now been added.

I had a rough night. I felt like I was floating between conscious and unconscious for most of the night. Slept less than 2 hours. Heart rate is still in the low 50's. Its going to be another rough day at work with so little sleep.

[rthom]

Hang in there, it'll improve.

[Polar Bear]

If you get through today at work.....weekend - 2 days off.
You've done really well regarding the pramipexole.

[ViewsAskew]

I do hope it gets easier...and soon.

[veldon7]

Thanks for your input re: my pramipexole situation. I have been reading jakesmom's posts, she is doing great!!! I can't get any oxy from my GP or the Neuro. I see. I don't have Insurance so I would have to pay cash to go to another GP and still don't know if they would give me oxy. I have seen a pain Dr. about my neck problems, he only gave me Lortab 5. I am going back to him next month for my neck pain, but he probably won't give me Oxy, he likes to give injections, but I had some and they didn't work. I would like to get off the Mirapex too, but I will have to wait until I have the money to change Drs., and still don't know if they would give me any Opiates. I go to a GP at a clinic for low income and they don't give Opiates.

[jakesmom]

Thank you!! I had an amazing support system.

I finally got some sleep last night, yahoo

Is there more than one doctor at the clinic? If so, try asking their nurses if any of the doctors have patients with RLS/WED? If you can find a doctor that is familiar with it, maybe he/she will already have a patient with a serious case or will be open to reading the literature you can bring them.

[badnights]

veldon, see jakesmom's message to you above; that might work. Also, if you do have to shop for a GP who can help with this, you can use the same technique. I think Ann did that as well; call the clinic, ask to have a nurse call you back, and ask the nurse if any of the doctors in the clinic are familiar with WED/RLS. Maybe you have ot ask for the head nurse.

[ViewsAskew]

veldon, see jakesmom's message to you above; that might work. Also, if you do have to shop for a GP who can help with this, you can use the same technique. I think Ann did that as well; call the clinic, ask to have a nurse call you back, and ask the nurse if any of the doctors in the clinic are familiar with WED/RLS. Maybe you have ot ask for the head nurse.

I did call the offices of the doctors I was considering. I asked different things of specialists than I did for GPs. I identified what was important to me - that they listen, that they would take input from a specialist, that they are up to date on research, etc. Then I'd ask about that.

These days, I can find a lot of doctors email addresses online. I've written to several directly. I've not had one yet say that they felt competent to take on my case, so I continue to fly to see Dr B. One of these days, I'll find someone. One of these days .