needing advice about going on the drug pramipexole/side effects?

[abbie]

[Danny2401]

Hi Abbie,

I was prescribed Pramipexole, also called Mirapex in 2000, it was my first Pd drug, at the time it worked really well, then as I got use to it, the dosage increased, until I was taking 24mg aday, then the fun started, I have wrote all in a long story on this site, please read it, but just google impulsive- compulsive behaviour, I must also warn you the drug Requip also called ropinirole, to me they are the same drug.

I know it is only 12 years ago, but I don't think I will ever be myself again, because you are not able to right the wrongs, but we Parkinson's sufferers sometimes I believe we are still being used to test these drugs, I belong to a Pd group in Enfield, England, Just having friends who are able to understand what you are going through. it helps. All what I have stated here, has been studied and proved. I actually took part in the studies. Pd people will tell you how wonderful these drugs are in low dosage, but once you cross your tolerance line. You enter your very own Disney World.

bye

Danny

[PatV in reply to Danny2401]

I agree. Hope my lab rat experience helps someone down the road.

[Ronhutton123 in reply to Danny2401]

Hi Abbie,

No wunder you have had problems, you have taken 24 mg per day when the max dose is 4 mg per day!!! i am on 2.1 mg per day pramipexole. Check it out on a search or ask your doc. I am amazed no one has pointed this out before.

best wishes

Ron

[Pete-1 in reply to Danny2401]

What would you say are the signs to look for as that entry into your own Disney World just begins - how do you tell that you are in danger of things becoming out of control?.

[ronn]

Abbie, Danny's articulate response says it better than I can but, for the most part, I agree with him. I was diagnosed in Nov, 2010, opted to go the 1st 6 mo. without meds. Then, after a brief but nauseus trial of C/dopa-L/dopa, I tried Pramipexole at a low dosage, (.125 mg. 3 times daily). The most notable reaction was a series of wierd (but not altogether unpleasant) dreams. Then, with Neuro's permisssion, I doubled the daily dosage. There wasn't time to evaluate the effect on my PD. I broke out with a skin condition which my doctor and the Pramipexole information described as an "allergic reaction". So, moving onward and upward ??, I am now trying a low dosage of Ropinirol getting ready to step up again. No apparent results at this dosage, but getting ready to double down again.

Disney World anyone?

[abbie]

thankyou very much danny andronn for answering my question,i will do lot more reserch about the drug before i decide what to do

[larry33b]

I find "WEBmd" very helpful for looking up side effects on the web. Easy to use.

[wordworks2001]

I was put on Mirapex after it was first approved in the USA. It caused me to become a compulsive gambler. I lost everything, my wife, home, car, job, all but the clothes on my back. I was homeless for six years and hospitalized when I attempted suicide. By then, compulsive behavior was a reported side effect and when they took me off the drug the uncontrollable urge to gamble stopped. It was a hellish journey but I am doing well now. I think Mirapex is an evil drug.

[Danny2401 in reply to wordworks2001]

Hi, I was upset when I read your reply, I don't know where you live, I live in England, I have a friend, who also lost his house, and before Pd meds he was never in a betting shop, Another friend is taking legal advice, as his sex drive has ruined his marriage, also he has spent over a £100000 in the last year waste fully, the doctors and neurologist all know about this, why do they keep giving these drugs, to Pd people. I would have thought if you lived in USA. Enough people could get together and sue the drug company at fault. Maybe we should start up our own study, and just find out how many Pd people have suffered. As they say no time like the present, I think I will start today. As I have plenty of reasons to get our own back. Please keep in touch, bye Danny

[wordworks2001 in reply to Danny2401]

Hi Danny. There was a class action lawsuit filed against MSD, the company that developed Mirapex. I found out about it too late to join in the suit. When I was on Mirapex, compulsive behavior was not even a known side effect. The drug is also used for restless leg syndrome but at least now compulsive behavior is on the warning label.

[fishinggirl]

I have taken Mirapex, now generic paramex...can't spell today..for 5 years and can't live without it. Tried for 3 days this spring and by third day could barely move. Just watch out for sudden sleepiness, vivid dream, and O/C behaviors like overeating. but for me, the side effects take getting used to but well worth it. Still on the same dosage, and other meds like Sinamet and Amanadatine have been added since. The combo works for me for now.

[wordworks2001 in reply to fishinggirl]

Whenever you stop Mirapex (and Amantadine by the way), you have to slowly decrease your dosage over time. Withdrawing Mirapex at once by totally stopping the drug is dangerous.

[Pete-1]

I have been taking Pramipexole for something like 3 years. Recently been weaned off it altogether in an experiment to eliminate vision problems being a side effect of Pramipexole, at least for me. Vision problems (double and blurred vision) are normal PD symptoms.

I was taking just over 1mg 3 times daily. I am told this is the maximum dose.

I had never been able to detect any benefit from taking Pramipexole but maintained this dose as apart of a drug trial planned to last 5 years.

Now I can see that the effect of Levodopa (Madopar) seems less profound and short lived when taken without the Pramipexole.

Pramipexole also used in small doses to treat RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome) and since no longer taking Pramipexole I have had trouble with RLS. Particularly at bed time with RLS sensations occurring about every 15 seconds.

This means sleep is almost impossible. But as the time since stopping is increased the frequency and severity of RLS seems to be lessening also.

I look forward to taking a decent dose of Pramipexole once again so that my Levodopa dose does not have to increase yet and the RLS will be more or less eliminated. also sleep seems to be more disturbed since stopping Pramipxole.

Judging by other comments the personality effects, gamblimg etc. it seems that a dose rather larger than my 3 X 1.06mg may be needed to experience these effects.

Yes, if you want to stop taking Pramipexole and do so too quickly then you risk NMS. Look it up on the net - it is potentially lethal.

[Ronhutton123 in reply to Pete-1]

Pete-1

Yes, you are right on the max dose for pramipexole, it is 4mg per day.

Ron

Pramipexole Dosage - Drugs.comdrugs.com/dosage/pramipexol...

Detailed Pramipexole dosage information for adults. ... Initial dose: 0.375 mg once daily with or without food. ...and tolerability, first to 0.75 mg per day and then by 0.75 mg increments up to a maximum recommended dose of 4.5 mg per day.

See also

chealth.canoe.ca/drug_info_...

For Parkinson's disease, the recommended adult dose starts at 0.375 mg daily, taken in 3 divided doses. Depending on the response to the medication as well as side effects, the dose may be increased every 5 to 7 days to obtain the desired effects. The maximum recommended dose should not exceed 4.5 mg daily, taken in 3 divided doses.

[grandmasanta]

I can not quit trying new recipies...have gained 10 lbs..Never liked cooking prior to miraplex. Husband thinks I am tryying to kill him...most every new recipe I try is Sweet (cakes, pies, cookies and candies) and he is dietbatic//