Low blood pressure & Ropinerole

[SimonMorriss]

Over the last 2 or 3 months, I've become aware that after cycling for about an hour my recovery seems to have taken longer and longer. The bit I've been concerned about is that whenever I bend over on standing up I will get headrush. I went to see the doctor today and they believe I am on the high side of normal blood pressure. However, after exercising my blood pressure does seem to drop to below the normal. I would add here that neither the high readings or the low readings are cause for concern at the moment.

One thing that was pointed out when I was chatting with the nurse was that ropinirole can cause low blood pressure but she wasn't able to confirm if this was actually having any effect on my recovery but thought it would be a good idea for me to have a review of my ropinirole medication with the doctor.

I've been following people stories on health unlocked for quite a few years now and generally, most people are finding that the doctor's knowledge of RLS is not as broad as patients would like to expect. I've no reason to believe that the doctor will be seeing in 2 weeks time won't be an expert in RLS, but I wanted to get the thoughts from the people I know and trust, and who live and breathe RLS as to whether this could be causing blood pressure issues.

I am one of the very very fortunate people who suffer from RLS to have it in a very minor form. To ensure I get a good night's sleep I only have to take 0.25mg ropinirole each night and if I actually miss one night it won't make a difference. However missing two nights in a row I realise I have made a mistake.

I would really appreciate any thoughts and comments that you may have that I could take with me to see the doctor. Specifically, I would be interested in knowing if there are any better medications I could take considering I'm on such a low dose of ropinirole and I'm not suffering augmentation.

Thanks

Simon

[Doversoul]

As well as ropinirole are you taking blood thinners or any urology medication?

[SimonMorriss in reply to Doversoul]

Hi Doversoul

No, I'm not on anyother medication and feel quite fit.

Simon

[Doversoul in reply to SimonMorriss]

That's good to know as Ropinirole benefit can be reduced by other medication. The dose of Ropinirole is a starter dose and if that is working for you don't increase unless it eventually your RLS worsens. Avoid augmentation.

[Hidden]

Hi there, as regards your RLS, it sounds like the Ropinirole is working for you at the moment with a low dose. For the sake of your RLS then, there doesn't seem any burning need to change.

If in future your RLS worsens, then you might want to review that.

As regards your other problem. Hypotension, I.e. low blood pressure is listed as a side effect of Ropinirole as is dizziness and faintness.

You mention a "headrush" when bending over and standing up. I wonder if the same happens when you get up from lying down. In some cases this happens and is known as "postural hypotension".

This is quite common in older people but is associated with Parkinsons disease and dopaminergic medication (e.g. Ropinirole).

It is possible, then, that this is due to the Ropinirole. but, there other causes and it would be best to get your doctor to check you over, you are only on a low dose.