Confusion and Memory loss

[Boldgirl45]

Hi there - just wondering if any of you have experienced confusion / memory loss as a result of being on dopamine agonists such as Pramipexole? Thanks!

[Hidden]

Hi, I took Pramipexole for nine years.

This is not a pun, but I can't remember what my memlory was like before I started taking it.

I think it deteriorated as time went by, I'm not sure that it was entirely due to the dopamone agonist.

The problem I have is absent mindedness which means that I don't "register " things. which in turn means they don't go into my short term memory. I still do well in memory tests when I'm paying attention.

Confusion is listed as a side effect of Pramipexole, and in turn confusion could affect the ability to register things.

Different poeple experience side effects to different degrees and raised dopamine activity, in the extreme, is associated with pyschosis - confusion, delusions and hallucinations.

Anti-psychotic drugs are aimed at reducing dopamine levels.

I imagine this is particularly more likely if you suffer sleep deprivation.

If you're concerned that this may be early signs of dementia perhaps you need to tell your primary care doctor (GP).

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Manerva

[Pippins2]

I have been on Pramipexole and now on Neupro patch (also a Dopamine agonists )and not experienced those symptoms

[Hidden]

I had terrible bother with my memory and cognition on the DA's. I didn't realise until after I had stopped using them. Very potent and damaging drug that needs close and careful monitoring IMHO.

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Hidden]

I agree!!

[YodaDog]

Is it the DAs or the sleep deprivation (or both) though?

[Boldgirl45 in reply to YodaDog]

I wonder the same YodaDog. This is about my mum, not me. She really doesn't sleep well at all (and nods off at all times during the day - even in the middle of a conversation). So I wouldn't be surprised if some of the (fairly mild) confusion is to do with that.

[Hidden in reply to Boldgirl45]

The nodding off was the same for me, I'd drop off midsentance but not since I stopped the neupro patch.

[Hidden in reply to Boldgirl45]

Sudden sleepiness during he day, nodding off, is also a side effect of dopamine agonists.

When I was taking one I regularly fell off the chair and once fell asleep standing up,

but not for long!

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Hidden]

Wow - even standing up! Mum nearly falls off a chair quite regularly!

[Hidden in reply to YodaDog]

The DAs for me as sleep is still bad but everything else is better.

[mmb8083]

I was on this drug for about a month but had to get off. Its as though my mind was a total blur. Im not kidding when I say I felt as though I couldn't add 2 plus 2 anymore. Plus the mood swings were unbearable for me and everyone around me I'm sure. Horrid drug for me anyway

[Boldgirl45 in reply to mmb8083]

Thank you - all of this helps xx

[Graham3196]

I didn't take any drugs but when my RLS was bad my memory was terrible. I would do some work one night and in the morning I couldn't remember what I'd done. I did the work properly but it just didn't create a memory. I have blamed the lack of sleep. Now my RLS is reduced my memory is improved.

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Graham3196]

That's interesting - so very much the sleep thing for you!

[Lenilatt]

Yes, I was (am) the same as Minerva. - too absent minded and don't register so forget. I was on pramipexole for 15 years and it definitely got worse. I have now been off them for nearly two years and I'm still a but like it but I think it has improved and I now make an effort to pay attention and sometimes, I even do! I have no trouble, now, for example, remembering all my different passwords so I don't think my memory itself is impaired,

[dklohrey]

I had only a couple of incidents, though I would not call it memory loss. I was on ropinirole with the drug losing its effectiveness. My neurologist suggested I supplement the ropinirole with gabapentin. It was not long after taking the combination of drugs, that on two different occasions, while driving, that I almost passed out. I discontinued the gabapentin but increased my ropinirole dosage from 2 to 3 mgs. I know I am probably facing augmentation but dread finding something else that works as ropinirole has been a life saver for me for about 25 years.

[Boldgirl45 in reply to dklohrey]

Good luck - none of this is easy is it

[Shumbah]

This is not relation to your medication however I had horrendous memory loss on oxycodone, I felt like I had Alzheimer’s it was terrifying.

When I stopped and switched to Buprenorphine

It started to improve quickly within weeks it was crystal clear again . I am so grateful.

Truly wishing you all the best

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Shumbah]

Definitely relevant because it just shows what drugs can do to you! Thank you for sharing

[Sara_2611]

Hi

I cant say to be fair my dear Ive never taken these drugs

[Lynn9910]

Yes I have memory problems now, and compulsive spending urges, seems the cure is almost as bad as the RLS, and afraid nobody seems to want to help ..medical persons..other than offer more pills for the depression I now suffer lol Hope you have better luck x

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Lynn9910]

Good luck with it all - agree about the cure being as bad almost!

[Hidden]

Yes I have suffered on and off with both. I had to stop ropineral because of augmentation. Pramipexole had me crazy with severe body aches. Felt like I had been beaten with a baseball bat or hit by a truck. This happened over the 8 days I was on it. I was put on Neurontin which made me jittery and anxious throughout my whole body. I went through terrible withdrawal from all these meds. I can't sleep and if I can't sleep I can't work because when I do fall asleep it is 5 a.m. and I sleep till 11:00-12:00. My days are all messed up, I suffered memory loss, sleep depravation to name only these two factors. I have been using tramadol (left from sciatica problems) and I get more relief from that. GOOD NEWS: Yesterday I saw a neurologist that specialized in RLS, Parkinson's, and movement disorders.

He put me on a new prescription called Horizant. Tonight I took my first dosage. It is a time released formula. It will take about 3 weeks before the full affects set in from what I hear. This is worth a try. I've suffered with RLS for so long that waiting for Horizant to kick in is worth the wait. For those of you interested in this medication, it is very expensive. But if your doctor gives a "prior authorization" he/she can work with your prescription program to get this medication at a pretty reasonable prices. Good Luck and I pray for all of us who suffer from this "disease!"

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much for this

[Hidden]

I hope you get relief that lasts soon. Taken the Horizant 600 mg 3 nights now. No restless leg waking me up. Sleeping has improved. So far so good.

[involuntarydancer in reply to Hidden]

Gramov, Horizant has a beneficial impact for many people and is a recognized treatment drug for RLS so your neurologist did well and it’s great that he was happy to steer you away from the dopamine agonists (ropinerole and pramipexole).

Horizant can take a while to kick in as you say. I hope you don’t have too much trouble in the meantime. Solpadene or other otc remedies containing codeine can sometimes help and there are loads of suggestions on here for non-pharmaceutical approaches that help individuals (unfortunately there is no one treatment that works for everyone).

Did your consultant mention your serum ferritin? Raising iron levels (to over 100) can help sufferers also. I wish you all the best.

[Hidden]

Hi Boldgirl45

The doctor said was satisfied with my blood levels. Ferritin is just 100. I'm not sure though. Thinking of going to pharmacy and asking about otc for ferritin. I have been doing well with Horizant but last night was a disaster. I did not sleep at all. Wide awake at 7 am. Just woke up at noon. Without sleep I go nutty but my sleep cycle is all messed up. Thanks for your reply.