I've spent hours researching augmentation and feel a bit confused as some of the information is different to what my G.P told me! I have added an extract from some clinical trials. Anyone got any thoughts??
Evidence review:
There is clear evidence that pramipexole reduces the leg movements associated with RLS, as measured by improvements in both the IRLS and the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) score. There is also moderate evidence that the drug improves sleep quality. Pramipexole clearly improves the anxiety and depression often associated with RLS. Augmentation may be associated with pramipexole treatment, but the evidence is contradictory and augmentation may be more associated with patients pretreated with levodopa or with patients with primary RLS rather than those with secondary RLS. Pramipexole therapy appears to be well tolerated, with only mild-to-moderate adverse events reported.
If levadopa is mentioned, it is an old study. But, I will START with that, and then work my way up to Pramipexole and Ropinerole.
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Hi, I'd also be interested to know which trials you refer to. I can see why you're confused most of what you've copied about Pramipexole contradicts most of what I've read and my own experience.
Gabapentin I've found much better at relieving anxiety and promoting sleep which accords with what I've read. Never having had levodopa previously didn't prevent me suffering augmentation.
Although, I do note that it refers to secondary rather than idiopathic RLS and that might be what's causing the confusion.
Hi i didnt have Levodopa but still got augmentation .Infact i can only recall one person out of literally thousands i have come across on various sites who had Levodopa before Prami or Ropinerole but still got augmentation x
Did you watch the video by Dr Christopher Earley on augmentation .He is a world expert on RLS and i found the video explained augmentation very well .It is on the RLS UK website x
I am going to be making a NEW post about augmentation, with studies and references by several RLS specialists and doctors on this subject. It will help you to understand. it CAN be very confusing.
I have been taking Pramipexole for about 6 years after using Ropinerole for a few years before that. I think its the doseage and combination sometimes which works.
e.g. on Ropinerole, I was given doseage up to 4mgs a day and was a zombie and unable to function , but did sleep (most of the time)
The Prami x2 .088 works for me in conjunction with 5mgs of oxycodone, all in staggered evening doses. Life is far from perfect and I need to also follow certain habits to avoid the RLS symptoms . No evenings out, no long journeys especially towards evening, no evening exercise and pills at same time every day. I survive and wish I could without drugs, but cannot. Good luck to you all x
Don't touch pramipexele .....I went to hell and back coming off it , and neupro patches , not any better either. I ended up going to see a neurologist privately. I'm now on a controlled drug......peace during the day.....still a little problem sleeping at night ,but nothing like I've had before....only be on the drug less than a couple of months.
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