New member

[Dancingintherain]

I just joined this site and am so grateful for the information posted here. After 5 years of being on Mirapex, I have developed some symptoms of neuropathy in my feet and hands. My primary care doctor believes the Mirapex is responsible. The next step, getting off this drug, is a little frightening because of my experience 5 years ago with going off Klonopin (also for RLS) that resulted in a 2 day hospital stay. The worst part was that the medical people did not hear me when I said I thought my symptoms were due to Klonopin withdrawal. Finally, a pharmacist at Krogers told me I was correct and advised me to go to an ER doctor because they see drug withdrawal more than other doctors. As bad as that experience was, it made me wiser and, hopefully, stronger. Thanks to everyone for sharing your experiences.

[Joolsg]

Welcome. The symptoms of neuropathy in your hands and feet- sounds like augmentation. please read all posts about augmentation and watch the video on the main RLS-UK website.

If it sounds familiar, RLS moving to other body parts, you will have to get off the Mirapex.

It's hard but lots of us have gone through it.

Jools

[Dancingintherain in reply to Joolsg]

Will do. I'm not familiar with the word, "augmentation," but think I may have it. Thanks for the information.

Doctors office called yesterday to tell me it was OK to go off Mirapex without tapering off. I questioned that and was told to call back if I had problems. I won't take that chance; staring taking a reduced dose last evening. OK so far.

[Joolsg in reply to Dancingintherain]

Aagh- it’s not okay to just stop mirapex- the withdrawal is horrible and needs to be done slowly with the help of a strong painkiller like tramadol/OxyContin. Change doctor- and print off all the info on the RLS UK site about Augmentation and withdrawal.

Also you need to discuss meds to take once off mirapex.

Spend an hour or two reading about Augmentation- lots have gone through withdrawal from mirapex- and you’ll see lots of tips on what will help.

Let us know how you get on.

[Dancingintherain in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks for the support.

[Hidden]

Hi there! Welcome to the board, and Jools is absolutely right. PLEASE decrease slowly. I was told to take Mirapex as well for my RLS, and when I saw 1) augmentation, 2) hellacious withdrawal, and 3) massive weight gain I ran (probably right before I fell asleep - ha ha). I use Clonadine HCL, and it works pretty well for the most part. Take care and let us know how you do..

[Dancingintherain in reply to Hidden]

Thank you.

[involuntarydancer]

Definitely heed the advice of Joolsg. A temporary opioid will greatly alleviate the trauma of withdrawing from pramipexole (mirapexin). I can’t believe your GP told you that (except I can as it is all too common). Good luck.