Restless legs gone for now

[julz68]

I have had rls for about 3 years, I have just been medicated in the last 6 months. My GP put me on Sifrol, I have been lucky as the first medication I tried worked although I have had to increase the dose

[Madlegs1]

Find out all you can about "Augmentation "

If you are having to increase the medication to just get the same level of relief- and the rls is getting worse- more of the body affected and earlier in the day. Then beware.

Cheers.

[Kaarina Administrator]

If you are interested in learning about Augmentation here is a link:

sleepreviewmag.com/2015/02/...

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...

[kelirock]

same with me, diagnosed and prescribed Sifrol by a neurologist which was wonderful for first few years, then I required an increase in dose as the original dose wasn't enough. After the increase started major problems of breakthrough symptoms and a weight gain of 15kg. Hope you have more luck than me.

[Phogan]

Oh dear .... you have already had to increase in six months. Not good I'm afraid. I too take Sifrol, and like you I have received amazing results from taking the drug. No symptoms whatsoever .... 100%. I have suffered the torture of RLS for over 60 years and Sifrol is the only medication that has totally alleviated all symptoms.

However, I have only had to increase it once in the 6-7 years I have been taking it.

Please oh please, look up the word 'augmentation', the very thought of it terrifies me. And please, don't increase anymore. 6 months is far too early to have to increase your dosage. Have you yet to suffer the hideous (sometimes uncontrollable) side effects? Be very very very careful. Altho it is a wonder drug, it is also an extremely dangerous drug. The hideous side effects almost ruined my life. but now I can find that I can control the side effects but I cannot control the symptoms of RLS. If you try to take my Sifrol away from me I will die.

[beady3 in reply to Phogan]

Can you tell me what the side effect are of this drug , is it the same as tramodol, thank you

[involuntarydancer in reply to beady3]

Beady, sifrol is another name for pramipexole or mirapexin. It is a dopamine agonist like ropinerole. You know all about the side effects of these.

[julz68]

Thanks you for your input on sifrol, do any of you rls sufferers also get it in your arms too, I do.

Just wondering how many onsifrol do you take at night, I am only on the lowest dose.

my dose is : 0.125mg

[Phogan in reply to julz68]

Yes I have all body RLS but Sifrol contains it

[involuntarydancer in reply to julz68]

Some people get rls in their arms BUT if you have only noticed it in your arms since starting siffrol then it is the drug that is causing it. Experiencing symptoms spreading to the arms is a common effect of Siffrol (and any other dopamine agonists).

If the symptoms in the arms are caused by siffrol you would do well to lower your dose and eventually discontinue as symptoms will continue to worsen while on siffrol.

Although rls is experienced most frequently in the legs, the cause is a malfunction in dopamine regulation in the brain. I can't see any other reason why it would be categorized as a mental illness. I have never heard of it so called before.

[julz68 in reply to involuntarydancer]

Hi involuntarydancer

My arms didn't start playing up when I started the sifrol, it was my arms that was first effected and my legs followed next

[julz68]

Hi

I was told that rls is now classed as a health and mental illness, is there any truth to this.

[ELLSBELLS]

One of the first signs I had of augmentation when taking dopamine agonists was having RLS in arms as well as legs and also when symptoms lasted all day when previously gone by mid-morning. Hope you are successful in finding an alternative that works well for you.

[tealsea]

Does this mean that Sifrol was the first medication?

[Bieler]

Tramadol is the answer. A Godsend. Trust me. Had RLS my whole life. Tried EVERYTHING and every trick. Thousands use it off label for RLS. I’ve been taking it 10 years and never had to increase my dose. It’s great to feel normal and look forward to sleeping. Good luck.