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[B534967]

Hello all -

I saw the neurologist here in Seattle this past week about moving from Ropinirole to Buprenorphine due to augmentation. He decided I should move over to 900 mg Gabapentin before bed instead. I have been taking 300 mg of gabapentin 3 x daily for other reasons. During the discussion he mentioned he has a couple of patients who are now taking Buprenorphine but in their case the RLS was exceptionally severe. So here is what is going on for me - I was taking 1.50 mg of Ropinirole, now I am taking 1.25 and will be reducing by .25 every other week until I am off the Ropinirole completely. Oh, the doctor said I could go to 1200 mg before bed if I had problems, but to let him know.

So far with the past 3 nights I have had no problems and have been able to sleep between 7 and 8.5 hours nightly. I do expect I'll have some problems along the way but I am thankful I have been able to sleep this well. That said I will also say I have had 3 glasses of wine over the course of 2 to 3 hours before bed and that may be part of why the sleep is happening - if that is the case for me - oh well...

I just wanted to share my experience both with the discussion about Buprenorphine and the beginning of coming off Ropinirole. I do hope things will continue this way but I expect there will be plenty of bumps in the road ahead.

All the best to each of you, I'll report back later on with how things are going -

Regards,

B534967

[Sampsie]

Thanks for sharing. It is really helpful for us to get information both to inform ourselves and our doctors. I hope it continues to work for you.

[involuntarydancer]

I hope the change in the gabapentin regime helps. It is definitely worth experimenting with timing and dose.

You may have to be rather firm in requesting an opioid down the line to help as your ropinerole intake is reduced further and symptoms become more intense (temporarily). Gabapentin is unlikely to deal with the symptoms at that stage.

Once the ropinerole is completely eliminated you may find your symptoms improve considerably and gabapentin will suffice alone.

[B534967 in reply to involuntarydancer]

Thanks you for your reply. I have to think I have some rough road ahead as I get closer to the elimination of Ropinirole. Seems everyone who eliminates Ropinirole has the same story that being some really rough spots especially nearing the end of its use. Thanks again, Jody B534967

[involuntarydancer in reply to B534967]

I read an account by one person who discontinued ropinerole after many years on a very high dose. She reduced very very gradually and left long periods between each reduction. Towards the end she broke the tablet into small pieces to keep reductions to no more than 10% at a time. With this method she did not experience the awful worsening symptoms at any stage.

However she did have a prescription for a low dose of tramadol which no doubt helped somewhat.

I followed this method on my last withdrawal from pramipexole and it was fairly uneventful also though in fairness I was on a very low dose and had only been taking it for 2 years.

[B534967 in reply to involuntarydancer]

Thank you for the information, all the help is truly heartening ;>))

[LanaCSR]

When I weaned myself off of ropinirole, I managed to do it over the course of a few months, but I had kratom to help counteract the withdrawals, and I didn't have ANY symptoms of withdrawal.

[B534967 in reply to LanaCSR]

Thank you for the information, I appreciate it. B534967