Discontinuing Sifrol

[kelirock]

I need some advice please. This is day 5 of me reducing my dose of Sifrol with the aim of ceasing the medication eventually. I was taking Sifrol 0.25mg daily which I have cut down to 3/4 of a tablet and had intended to stay on that dose for a few weeks before reducing it further. I am taking Lyrica 125mg daily with a 1/4 tablet of Diazepam if I experience bad RLS symptoms which ha been rarely. So far the reduced dose has left me comfortable, I really have not had the drastic symptoms that usually occur with withdrawals from the DAs. What I am enquiring about is once I have stopped the dose will the RLS symptoms come back like they were before I started Sifrol or will the Lyrica control those awful RLS symptoms? Thank you for your help.

[Hidden]

I hope so🙂

I really don't know as everyone's experience is different.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help. I wish we all had the power to get in and ask "ok legs, will you be able to stay calm on such and such medication?" and they will give us an answer. If that were the fortunate case, there wouldn't be any unfortunate need for trial and error.

[Joolsg]

I wish I could give you a definitive answer. Everyone is different. Some people get off DAs and find they can manage without any meds ( usually by raising serum ferritin levels). Others find they need meds.

I came off DAs and my RLS was still severe. I suspect my dopamine receptors have been permanently damaged by 15 years on Ropinirole.

I hope you find you can manage on low doses of Lyrica.

[Hidden]

I'm afraid the consensus is that you'll just have to try it and see.

The fact that you're managing to withdraw without too much discomfort is possibly a good sign.

The worse time for withdrawals is when you finally stop taking the sifrol altogether. A couple of weeks after that you should know if the Lyrica is working. It is known to be effective for some people. There's also room to increase the dose.

I had a similar experience, except I weaned off pramipexole whilst taking gabapentin. I had no noticeable withdrawal effects and the gabapentin is still working for me.