RLS and progesterone birth control... trigger?

[Newmomma567]

I was doing really well on 10/325 hydrocodone every night plus 1/2 pill of my .25 mg Requip to keep the RLS at bay. But lately, I have had a series of really bad nights (and then DAYS) when I can’t seem to get relief from my regular meds. The only thing I can think of that is different is that I got a Mirena IUD a few weeks ago. Any thoughts??

[Lapsedrunner]

Hi, sorry to hear that .

It’s unlikely to be your Mirena, it releases progesterone gradually in the uterus and won’t have much effect on systemic or general levels. Also progesterone is meant help sleep!

When you say 1/2 do you mean a half or 1 or 2? And for how long have you taken it? As Requip is a dopamine agonist (DA) it can lead to augmentation ie symptoms earlier in the day, affecting more of the body , a worsening of symptoms. There’s a pinned post about it.

Please don’t be tempted to increase your dose of Requip. Come back to us when you’ve had a read!

[Lapsedrunner]

Sorry, just read your earlier post.

I guess it is augmentation as it happened before on ropinerole, which is what you’re taking now under the brand name of Requip

[Newmomma567 in reply to Lapsedrunner]

I literally mean one half of a .25, which is where I am in the tapering process. The name Requip/ropinerole I am using interchangeably. (So, not a new drug... trying to get off the old one.)

[Lapsedrunner]

Ah, ok. Still don’t think the Mirena is relevant though

[Joolsg]

I had terrible RLS when taking progesterone in any form. Thought I was the only one. I took combination HRT for years & every month it was terrible when I took the 9 days of progesterone pills. I’m off HRT now as they stopped my brand.

I still have RLS but not the aggravated RLS from progesterone.

My daughter reacts badly to progesterone as well. She’s just switched to the copper coil.

[Joolsg]

Just noticed you’re on Requip and going through withdrawal. With each dose reduction the RLS will flare up badly.

Therefore wait until you’re completely off Requip and at least 2/3months on new meds before considering replacing the mirena coil.

You may find it settles once off Requip and once you’ve raised ferritin above 250.