Ropinerole elimination

[Runedrun26]

What is best way to reduce myself of ropinerole and has anyone done it I take 2mg dosage, thanks

[Inca77]

Due to the side effects drug and the issue of augmentation, my doctor suggested that I would need to be put on stronger medication. I then embarked on the long journey of becoming drug-free. I wish I could say that it was a straightforward transition but it took a long time and a complete change of lifestyle. I've started to document my journey on my blog restlesslegsyndrome.co.uk. I hope my journey might help you.

[SueJohnson in reply to Inca77]

The usual recommendation is to reduce by .25 every two weeks. I went from 4.0 mg to 0 successfully with no side effects, but others do have problems.

[Runedrun26 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you , I hope my transition is as smooth as yours.

[sannyboy11 in reply to SueJohnson]

Did you replace it with something else?

[SueJohnson in reply to sannyboy11]

Yes - I take gabapentin which has completely eliminated my restless legs.

[sannyboy11 in reply to SueJohnson]

Got it, didn't want to assume but couldn't figure out how you did that without a replacement. I'm actually doing the same. From 2 to .5 now WITH 150mg of PGP. Had 1 breakthrough event since the change but sleep much better overall. Thanks.

[Runedrun26 in reply to sannyboy11]

I will probably start next week after speaking to my doctor thanks

[Runedrun26 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks for feed back

[Runedrun26 in reply to Inca77]

Thank you so much for replying

[HarDot in reply to Inca77]

I would be interested in your journey of the drug free where would I read this please

[Reb0013]

I was taking 1.0 mg and got off it by going to .5, then by going .5 every other night for a couple weeks ... then .25 and finally nothing. I did this on my old without physician guidance and over about a one month period. However, I also got an iron infusion during this time which helped. Just depends on how your body responds.

[Runedrun26 in reply to Reb0013]

Not yet. But soon

[Joolsg]

I went from 4mg to zero over a year. I reduced from 4 to 2 quite easily. My augmentation symptoms reduced so stayed on 2mg for 3 or 4 months but the augmentation symptoms came back.Reducing the last 2mg was hellish for me- very nearly didn't make it. I hope your withdrawal is not as traumatic.

Go slowly and have alternative meds available.

[Runedrun26 in reply to Joolsg]

I hope so too thanks for touching base with me,I’m at 2mg of ropinerole and no restless leg,

[Joolsg in reply to Runedrun26]

Fingers crossed you can stay on 2mg for a long time.

[Runedrun26 in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you joolsg

[AcityKev]

Hello - I am new to this site - A neurologist has suggested I should come off gabapentin because I have become obsessive about certain things – I have tried reducing by a quarter of what I take – namely 1 mg to .75mg - I have increased gabapentin from 200 to 300mg - Most nights that works but sometimes I have to get up and take the missing dose! I am concerned I am so addicted to it that I am not going to be able to come off of it... I just don’t know what I would do without medication is as RL S is the most awful thing!

[Runedrun26 in reply to AcityKev]

I feel for you , l am trying to get off ropinerole starting in a couple of weeks it has worked well for me but I fear augmentation , I don’t know , my prayers are with you.

[Joolsg in reply to AcityKev]

Ropinirole causes Impulse Control Disorder so your Neuro got that right but withdrawal is tough- more difficult than getting off heroin or crack so do it very slowly. 0.25mg every 2 weeks and if the RLS becomes unbearable ( it does for the vast majority) ask your neurologist for an opioid like Oxycontin or Buprenorphine to deal with the constant leg jerks.Average effective dose of gabapentin for RLS is 900mg taken at night. Gabapentin takes 3 weeks to become effective but it won't really help until 2weeks after last dose of Ropinirole.

Good luck.

[AcityKev in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you that is really helpful

[Gram1970]

I was only on .75 mg and I stopped cold turkey, no problems. However I think you should go down 25 mg per week with larger dosage. I had bloating, horrible stomach pains, fluid retention and left leg and foot swollen, foot actually hurt. Some times it worked and other times it didn’t. My side effectives stopped as soon as I quite taking it. Have an appointment with a neurologist, it is quite severe, had it for over 30 years.