Holiday from dopamine agonist

[dancer2]

I have had RLS for 15 years. Has severe augmentation on Pramipexole. Tried all the opiates and could not take them. I'm now on Neupro patch 1mg and Gabapentin 300mg at bedtime. Also just started Klonopin o.5mg at night. I have read that some of you take a holiday from the dopamine agonist in order to prevent augmentation. Can you explain how you do that, how often and what meds do you use during the time you are not using the dopamine agonist? I never want to go through withdrawal again.

[Bkc1777]

Hi,

What I got told by doctor is that you don't have to take prami every night. Only take it when you have rls.

I couldn't do it. I did try but couldn't sleep at all when I didn't take one.

Look forward to reading this post.

B.

[Hidden in reply to Bkc1777]

Your doctor was so wrong, some meds you HAVE to take every night and Pramipeoxle is one of them and Ropinerole is another. If you dont have RLS every night then its best to take a low pain med which can be taken when needed.

[Izzybelle22]

I too have been on ropinirole, another dopamine agonist for 20 years with a great deal of success until about a year ago when augmentation set in. That sucks! The ropinirole still works (2mg/2x daily), but it takes longer to activate and certainly does not last for the 6 hours it is supposed to, so any ideas everybody out there has, I think both dancer2 and I could certainly benefit. Thanks team!

[yohlense in reply to Izzybelle22]

I too am on ropinirole and am using the supplement Quiet Legs to step down my dosage, so I'm at half of what I took a year ago. Recently I added craniosacral therapy and after the first treatment I have been relatively RLS free for over a week. I still have twinges, but they are fleeting and not intense. I'm not sure how long it is going to last but have another session in a week. I think seeking alternative therapies and what works for you is best.

[Hidden]

When people take a drug holiday, they usually add in another med like a opiate while they do the drug holiday. Once you stop a dopamine med you will have withdrawals as you have found out from having augmentation. A opiate will help with the withdrawals while you have the drug holiday. But as you are saying you cant take the opiates then could be difficult for you.

[Derrick11]

Hi you need to work with your doctor to get off all drugs over a period of time and get on to a natural way of living

I have studied alternative medicine since 1974

Derrick Hales

[dancer2 in reply to Derrick11]

I would love to phone you, but I live in the U.S.

[Derrick11 in reply to dancer2]

Telephone number deleted for your own safety/protection. Please use the PM facility on this forum should you wish to discuss further.

Kaarina (volunteer)

[dancer2 in reply to Derrick11]

Could you send me a website or someplace where I can look up the information?