Hello I am in this group to help my hubby. He has been suffering from RLS since he was early 40...now he is 55. He has been taking REQUIP since day one but lately is seems like it's not working as much anymore. He literally spent the last 3 nights walking and taking hot showers. He hasn't slept at all. Last night I even took him to the ER but, besides giving him an IV and sleeping pill they didn't do much. Sleeping pills don't work on him... are there any better medice than REQUIP??? Whatelse can we do??? His case is pretty severe...
Thank you
Written by
dancinh
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Totally agree with Pam34. Your husband is very lucky that the requip worked for so long, but really don't despair as there are alternatives per Pam's links. Get help, keep positive and good luck!
This means the drug masks the symptoms in greater and greater doses, while making the condition worse. It is typical of all dopamine agonists, but many doctors do not know this.
What happens is this - RLS is a problem in the dopamine system of the brain, where we have more than enough dopamine but faulty receptors - dopamine agonists hurl more and more dopamine at the already-stressed receptors, and they are either killed off or they internalize into the cells. So it all gets worse.
If he comes off Requip and on to another drug, such as gabapentin and/or an opioid, he will eventually go back to base level.
So first, check his ferritin levels, which should be above 100.
Then ask for an opioid to assist with coming off Requip.
Personally, I stopped dopamine agonists after more than a decade with the help of methadone. It was much easier than I expected. Now I have no symptoms and I sleep.
Pam and Parminter have given you the answer- get him off requip. As you are in USA, find a doctor who will give your husband opioids to help him through withdrawal.
I got off it in 2016 & withdrawal was brutal- 2 weeks of no sleep and constant leg jerks. But it is very do able.
Reduce requip by 0.5mg every 2 weeks and with each drop in dose, take opioids ( I took 50mg tramadol every 4 hours during the worst days).
There are lots of meds available instead like pregabalin, Gabapentin, Horizant or OxyContin.
Read all posts on Augmentation and don’t let doctors prescribe another dopamine agonist.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Restless leg syndrome 
Restless Legs Syndrome 
FeSo4 and Mg and Requip
RESTLESS LEG NIGHTMARE
What should I do 
