Did I wean from pramipexole too quickly?

[Lapsedrunner]

I’ve gone from minimum uk dose to nothing in 3wks (a couple of days ago). Now sleeping poorly but evening augmentation symptoms have decreased. Am taking Gabapentin (4weeks) but doesn’t seem to be working yet. Should I go back to a tiny fragment of a dose of pramipexole or stick it out?

Thanks

[Joolsg]

Definitely don’t go back on pramipexole. You’ve done so well getting off it and you’ve gone through the worst.

Gabapentin takes 3-4 weeks to be fully effective at doses up to around 1200mg taken at night.

Check that you’re not on any meds that make RLS worse ( anti histamines and most anti depressants ) and make sure serum ferritin is above 100.

I didn’t find Gabapentin helped me so had to switch to OxyContin and a small dose of pregabalin.

It can take weeks/months to get through DAWS & find the right combination of meds BUT do not be tempted to go back on DAs as you’re straight back in the lion’s mouth.

[Lapsedrunner in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks. Thought that wouldn’t be recommended but from what I’ve read on here 3/52 is quite quick.Not on anything other than HRT. Haven’t had ferritin checked for a year, it was 75 then,but do take a good Fe supp regularly.

[Joolsg in reply to Lapsedrunner]

It is very quick. However it can depend on dose of pramipexole and the time you were on it. The higher the dose and the longer you’ve been taking it, the worse the withdrawal.

You’re through the worst so big congratulations and you will definitely find a combination that allows you 6/7 hours of sleep a night.

I still get RLS every single night despite heavy meds but I can walk/ stretch and manage to get back to sleep within 15/20 mins.

Good luck

[Lapsedrunner in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks for the encouragement...it’s easy to think you’re the only one thrashing around in the small hours isn’t it?! I had been on it for nearly 2yrs and for a good year it was miraculous! I’m glad to hear things are tolerable for you, long may that last!

[Bpsuper]

Hi! Like you I weaned off Pramipexole after a good few years, but it took 5/6 weeks. I then went on to 600mg Gabapentin and it works mostly for me but took 3/4 weeks to have effect. I agree with others do NOT go back on DAs, keep trying until you find the right drug(s) to help. Keep up the exercise and watch the diet and you will win through and have a much better quality of life.

[Tim61]

Hi lapsedrunner, you’ve done extremely well to come off pramipexole in such a short period. I’m down to my last 1/2 .088mg tablet. Like others say now you’re off it, stay off it.

The withdrawal symptoms are not very nice, but over a period of time your body will stabilise hopefully. You may laugh 😂 at this but , because the withdrawal causes so much pain in the muscles, especially legs , I rub or get my wife to rub in sweet almond oil, which is a oil that a lot of masseuses use in massage, it leaves nice warm feel in the muscles helping the pain & twitching & jerking. Tim61.