From Mirapex to Requip due to Augmentation

[RLS_]

Has anyone done this successfully? I ask because I had tried Requip a few times and it just doesn't seem to work like Mirapex (at least for me).

My latest attempt was last night because a new Dr. prescribed Requip again to get me off Mirapex due to my recent Augmentation. I was advised to take 2 mg of Requip as it is less effective than the 1mg of Mirapex and I was up ALL NIGHT. I might have gotten 20 minutes of sleep.

My question is, will Requip work at some point? Is my body just going through a Mirapex withdrawal that eventually I will get over and then the Requip will indeed work?

Last night was pretty torturous and even this morning the RLS is through the roof.

AHHHHHHHHH! Why does this terrible health problem exist! I would wish this on my worst enemy.

Any info you guys have is appreciated!

Have a good Friday!

[Pippins2]

If you are having augmentation from the Mirapex the last thing you need to do is start on Requip. They are both Dopamine Agonists. You need to get off the Mirapex by weaning down very slowly and taking a strong painkiller such as Tramadol to help you with the withdrawals x

[RLS_ in reply to Pippins2]

But then my question is what do you do after that? My restless legs was bad enough to start this whole process so then what is there beyond Mirapex that won't put me in the same positions years down the road?

[mantel]

Totally agree with Pippins2

[Joolsg]

Totally agree with Pipps and Mantel. You augmented on mirapex and requip is just adding fuel to the fire. Your doctor clearly knows nothing about RLS.

[Hidden]

Hi there, I have been through the same thing. I was on Mirapex for many years when I started augmenting. Wih the help of my GP It took me almost three weeks to wean myself off the six tablets @ 0.008 a day I used to take. Four days on 5, four days on 4, etc. It was not easy but what really helped at night was taking 2 co-codamol. Then my GP put me on Requip. However, with the help of this forum I discovered it was not a very good thing to go from one DA to another. Besides the Requip made me feel dreadful. My neurologist then changed me overnight to the Neupropatch ( I know this is dopamine again but you are much less likely to augment from this and I am really keeping a watchful eye on this happening perhaps in the future). I am now on 2 mg patch plus take 1 Clonazipam at night. I am so much better and having recently in France bought some Nuit Calme tea (a combination of tilleul and camomile) which I drink ar night, I sleep like a baby! Hope that helps.

[Pippins2]

Yes you are right you will still need treatment for your RLS after you are through the withdrawals. There are other types of medications apart from the Dopamine Agonists, Many take painkillers but they need to be opiate based eg prescription strength Co Codamol, Codeine and Tramadol. Then there's Gabapentin and Pregablin which are ffrom another med group. After a long break from the Dopamine Agonists (I waited a year ) then some people are able to use Neupro patch which is a Dopamine but is slow release and has the lowest rate of augmentation x

[Gidgetmoondogg]

I read your comment about going from Myrapex to Requip. I really think everyone's experience is different. I have had RLS since j was in my early 30s and I am 66 now. I have taken every drug mentioned above. I am currently on Myrapex and it is the only drug that has worked for me. Been on it probably 8 years, when you said you hadn't slept but maybe 20 minutes---- well I get it. RLS is so weird! Just wanted to send my sympathy to you. You are not alone.

[Dogdoo]

When i took .50 (1/2 milligram) it kept me awake too. Even on ambien.

Dropped to a half tsblet of .25 mg (so .12.5mg).

Still kept me awake.

Now i take quarter of a .25mg tab and that seems to allow me to sleep and eliminate or severely dimminsh my rls symptoms.