Ropinirole and Tramodol

[Neco]

I don't know... it sounds like you need to get off the Requip - period.

I'm not sure that Pregablin would be covering augmentation symptoms either, but I could be wrong. However traditionally augmentation is treated by stopping the offending dopamine agonist, and using opiates to mask the increased symptoms, as well as hopefully treat the existing RLS

[badnights]

Your doctor I am fairly certain is misguided, and should take you off the Requip completely at once. The augmentation won't stop until the Requip has cleared out of your system. Reduing the Requip does not reduce the augmentation enough for the process to be worthwhile.

Perhaps you might be better off to bite the bullet and stop the Requip completely. On the other hand the withdrawal might drive you nuts with only Lyrica to help; you should have oxycodone or something for the withdrawal, as Zach has said.

Have you tried writing to Dr Buchfuhrer in California (somno@verizon.net or check out his web page at www.rlshelp.org). Explain your situation, past and current medications and the reduction regimen, and ask him how he would advise you to get off Requip.

Perhaps you could then get an appt to see your doctor. Tell him you were researching the problem online, and were able to ask an RLS specialist for his advice. To reassure your doctor, let him know that Dr. B is a co-author of the Mayo Clinic's algorithm for RLS treatment, the RLS Foundation's medical bulletin on RLS for healthcare providers, and two books on RLS including Clinical Management of Restless Legs Syndrome. Show him whatever Dr B replies to you.

Some doctors are willing to consider this third-hand advice. It's worth a try in my opinion. Dr B is very good, very experienced with RLS treatment in all sorts of people. He has helped me, and numerous other people on this board.

I hope you're sustained through this, however you end up doing it. Try to focus on how much better it will be once the Requip is out of your system. Good luck! and keep in touch!

[Polar Bear]

As Zach and Badnights say, the Requip needs to be gone from your system.

I admire those who have stopped their Requip immediately. I spoke of a very gradual reduction from my own point of view of having tried the immediate stop and lasted only 4 days. Perhaps if my doc had agreed to a stronger replacement drug rather than just 'upping' the existing tramadol it would have been a more successful attempt.

[ViewsAskew]

I tried twice to stop Mirapex on my own after I augmented...couldn't do it. The PLMW was so crazy I would have movements while standing and almost fall over. There wasn't a moment of piece for days...a no sleep. I just couldn't manage.

Like PB, hat's off to anyone who can!

[badnights]

Obviously I didn't have it as bad as you guys. I went directly onto pramipexole from Requip, maybe that covered it off? It was an almost-immediate improvement; an elimination of the augmentation.

My very worst experience was when I went off gabapentin. That's when I finally posted on the board here, ready to kill myself. I can guess that was similar to what you guys had coming off the DAs... so, we do what we can, and can't do more than that. Good luck Helen!

[helen1965]

Polar bear, yes I probably would have been better to try that the first few times I reduced, it was horrendous. But I must say, this time has been quite different. I was expecting to go through hell again, but I think the pregabalin has made a difference. Last time I reduced I was waking at 1 am with the RLs, which was then the pattern for the rest of the day. And the RLS was very intense too. So when that didn't happen this time I was amazed. Don't get me wrong, it is there, but I have been managing to get approximately 6 hours sleep a night, and yes, it is the RLS that wakes me, but when I admit defeat and get up the RLS goes away (for a while) and it doesn't raise it's ugly head until about mid day again, then again approx 3 pm and lasts for maybe an hour a time. The evenings are as usual, not much fun, but last night I managed to watch a film for 30 minutes before I started to squirm. The RLS is a little more intense than it normally would be, but even though I have definately experienced withdrawal again, it hasn't been as bad as the previous times. I also add that I did increase the Pregabalin from 75mg to 150 mg, in preparation for this. When my 2 weeks or so of withdrawal are up and it starts to level out (I hope) I will go back to 75 mg of Pregabalin and think about having a few good nights sleep again before I reduce Ropinirole again. I still aim to come off it completely, and when I get to the stage of taking next to none ( I know the RLS will still be there) I will seek more advice from my Doc and Neuro. Thanx for listening, everyone.

[badnights]

Sounds like you're doing well! I'm glad this course of action seems to be working and the Lyrica is helping. That's such good news!

[Polar Bear]

Great news.
It is wonderful to see that something is working.

[helen1965]

Oh, I don't know what is working and what isn't. I completely understand and agree I need to come off the Ropinirole. That is my aim. Last night I managed to sleep till 4 am from 10pm, all in one go. I woke myself (insomnia) the RLS didn't wake me. I will take your advice and write to Dr Buchfuhrer, and ask his advice. I too was surprised that I wasn't given an Opiate to help me. I didn't think the Pregabalin was strong enough to cope once I was off Ropinirole, although it seems to be helping a lot right now. I can't say I'm not getting withdrawal effects right now, I am. Whereas the last 2 times I reduced dosage of Ropinirole it was so intense, from morning to night. I was driven to distraction. This time it seems to start from 3 pm (but more often 6 pm) onwards, although if I am a passenger in the car it will start as early as 11pm, regardless. It is very intense right now ( 7 pm) and I am dying to take the meds, but it's too early and will wear off earlier. I will see what happens once the two week withdrawal is up, and see if I am confident enought to reduce again, if not I will specifically ask for an Opiate. You know, I really don't know what to do, all I know is I want off the Ropinirole for ever.

[badnights]

hang in there, it will all be good if you keep working to figure it out as you have been

[helen1965]

Not doing as well as I'd hoped I would. I am now on night 14 of the withdrawal from Ropinirole, and I had hopes the RLS would have calmed down. It has been less of a nightmare this time, certainly, but here it is, Christmas Eve, and yet again my partner Colin, and I are getting our coats on and having to head out into the cold for yet another walk. And we have had to leave the film we were attempting to watch. Again. I last 20 minutes then the RLS kicks in without fail. I know the Pregabalin will not be enough to help me come of the Ropinirole, although it has lessened the effects of the reduction. Oh God, I realise that even though this has badly affected my life for the last two and a half years, I am actually only beginning the battle. I actually thank God I don't have these problems in the mornings (once I have got up), and I really do sympathise with anyone who has it 24/7. All I can say is 'How do these people keep going?' I can barely cope with evening/night time symptoms.

[ViewsAskew]

I can only hope that once you stop the daytime dose that it will get better faster.

For what it's worth, while the 2-3 weeks after stopping Mirapex were brutal, I was actually happier going through it, knowing that it would be better after that. In some ways, it was a happy time, lol, even though I was vomiting and sick from accidentaly benzo withdrawal. I look back on it as the beginning of getting my life back.

I hope you can do the same.