Clonozapam and requip?

[Merster]

I have been on requip for 3 yrs now and it is not working like it did. I am now feeling dizzy all day from having increased the dose. One of my doctors had suggested clonozapam but I am petrified to take it and risk another 4 days without any sleep. Twice that has happened trying out new drugs to help me get to sleep so I am reluctant to try something new. Any thoughts?

[involuntarydancer]

Hi Merster,

It sounds like you may be heading into augmentation (put it in the search bar for more information if you are not familiar with the concept) which is not good news. Once augmentation sets in there really is not much to be done but to gradually discontinue the dopamine agonist (requip in your case but also pramipexole/mirapexin and neupro/rotigotine) and start a new regime. While withdrawing from the requip you will require an opioid to help with the greatly increased rls symptoms you will experience.

It is a good idea to make sure your iron levels are as high as you can get them (get your GP to do a serum ferritin test if he/she hasn't already and get the actual figure - not just that you are 'normal'. Rls sufferers need to be over 100 and 'normal' can be as low as 20). In your shoes I would absolutely NOT increase the dose of requip - not even if advised to do so by a medical professional (many - most - medical professionals are completely unaware of the dangers of these drugs for people with rls) - as that will ultimately lead to worse suffering.

[Kaarina Administrator]

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po......

[Hidden]

Follow involuntarydancer's advice.

I have taken Clonazepam in the past. It's mainly a sleep aid. I found it did help me sleep slightly better, but doesn't really relieve RLS.

I was told to not take if for more than a month, it's potentially addictive.