Weaning off pramipexole

[Jeaner73]

My neurologist has me weaning off pramipexole. I’ve been taking 1.5 mg since 2013. His plan is to cut my 1.5 mg tablet into fourths. For two weeks take 0.375 2x daily. Then for two weeks take 0.375 1x daily. After that start Entacapone.

I’m almost two weeks in. So far my movement is a struggle and I’m thinking when I get to 0.375 1x daily it can only get worse. If I take the supplement Now Dopa Mucana in the morning it helps.

Anyone try weaning pramipexole this way?

[pdpatient]

Very interesting. Why is that? In my case, it is the opposite. My MDS is slowly upping my dose of Ropinrole to 6mg extended release per day. Correspondingly, he has been reducing Rytary. He is doing this to allev the severe speech and tremor problems I started experiencing after going on a very high dose.

RKM

[134A in reply to pdpatient]

I am currently reading a book titled: Once Upon A Pill by Janice Walton-Hadlock.She’s an Acupuncturist and claims to have “cured “ PD in a number of her patients by Chinese medicine practices. She also paints a very disturbing picture of how adversely some people have been affected by dopamine agonist use. The book comes with a stern warning and is not for the timid. Read at your own risk.

[Jeaner73 in reply to 134A]

Usually knowledge is power, but I think reading that book right now would give me more anxiety.

[134A in reply to Jeaner73]

You’re wise to be cautious. It’s not always good to know too much. Best of luck to you 😀

[134A]

Yes I’m reducing my Pramipexole by the same method. I came up with the idea and the method on my own however. Neurologist doesn’t know what I’m doing but he said “there’s no withdrawal symptoms, for agonists , if you want to stop, stop “. He’s pretty well useless that way. I have been taking Pramipexole for about two years and I’m getting concerned about long term effects. I also take Rasiligine)Azilect) and I’m also reducing it gradually. I was plagued with constant vertigo and it left as soon as I reduced the Rasiligine by 1/2. I’m continuing to reduce it. Currently at 1/4 of the original dose with no noticeable withdrawal.

[Astra7 in reply to 134A]

Did the pramipexole not work?I’m taking .375 and can’t see what it’s doing.

[Jeaner73 in reply to Astra7]

I wasn’t having any issues taking pramipexole I was concerned about its side effects and how difficult it is to get off of it. This is what my “Northern” neurologist suggested I do (as I outlined in my first post) Adding Entacapone should lengthen the effects of my carbidopa/levodopa and seems like a better alternative than pramipexole.

I decided to contact my “Southern” neurologist for a second opinion. She suggested I start taking the Entacapone and then once stable wean one quarter of pramipexole each week.

[134A]

I hope that works for you!

[Jeaner73]

Pramipexole weaning updateWent down to half 9/15/21 - .375 2x day

9/28/21 morning dose .1875 afternoon .375.

10/5/21 .1875 morning .1875 afternoon

10/16/21 .1875 be afternoon only

10/24/21 .1875

Stopped

[Jeaner73]

Currently taking7am carbidopa/levodopa 25/100, entacapone 200mg, 100 mg B1 thiamin HCL, calcium k2+D3

12pm carbidopa/levodopa 25/100, entacapone 200mg, 100 mg B1 HCL

5pm carbidopa/levodopa 25/100, entacapone 200mg

9pm carbidopa/levodopa 25/100 CR, magnesium 500mg, l-tryptophan 500 mg

I feel like I’m lacking in meds especially in the morning, but it has been a little better the last couple days. I going to give this mix a little more time to cook. I have been sleeping better this week. I track my sleep on my Apple Watch using App AutoSleep. My deep sleep has gone from 1.5 hours or less to over 3 hours in the last week. That alone makes a huge difference.

[Jeaner73 in reply to Jeaner73]

Asking for some advice. Since I completely stopped Pramipexole about a week ago everyday gets a little worse. Taking more C/L doesn’t seem to help much. I’m starting to think I should take my last dose of pramipexole .1875 mg and taper slower from there.

[Jeaner73 in reply to Jeaner73]

Also it doesn’t feel like the Entacapone is doing anything for me.

[Anniebateman]

Hi this is interesting as I have moved the other way, tried Entacapone but didn't help a lot and i got very hot and sweaty so moved to Pramipexole and have found it added to my madopar 3x a day to be very effective.