what is the least addictive prescription drug for R.L.S and easiest to come off

[auldreekie18]

on pramipexole for years need a change.

[Joolsg]

If you have severe RLS, you will have to take drugs for life to control it. None are "addictive" but we are all "dependent" on them.The dopamine agonists are the most difficult to get off of all the drugs I have taken for RLS. The withdrawal was brutal.

If you're on pramipexole, reduce very slowly over at least 3 months. Make sure you get full panel blood tests and ensure serum ferritin is above 100, preferably 250 as this can alleviate augmentation.

Why do you want to get off pramipexole? Are you experiencing augmentation?

Spend a few hours reading the Pinned posts and all recent posts and replies and you'll see that Pramipexole and other dopamine agonists are problematic.

[Hidden]

Hi pramipexole, as Jools says, causes physical dependence, but has never been classed as addictive. Despite not being addictive it can be hell to withdraw from.

The standard alternative RLS prescription drugs are in the first instance pregabalin or gabapentin. A further option is an opiod.

All three are potentially addictive BUT only really if you misuse them.

There are issues with ALL RLS drugs, but as long as the benefit of taking one outweighs the side effects and risks, then it's worthwhile.

Other measures for RLS are correcting any iron deficiency you may have (the main cause of RLS) and avoding any exacerbating factors, (things that make RLS worse). These two are often neglected.

I believe it's important for RLS sufferers to feel they have some control over what happens to them and often it can leave you feeling out of control and helpless.

This is also promoted by both a general lack of knowledge that doctors have about the drugs, but also their tendency to take control away from you, e.g. in deciding what treatments are best for you without discussion.

This should be a shared decision.

I therefore suggest you gain as much information about the various treatments for RLS, both medical and non-medical in order to empower you to take part in making any decisions.

If you do decide to withdraw from pramipexole, please find out how to do this safely and plan ahead. Many people do this impulsively and end up in diffculties.

[auldreekie18 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, Thanks for the information ,read lots of post about this terrible curse ,tried all the whacky home remedies none worked ,good luck to them it did work for ,you just have to keep trying ,I have had it for 30 years now i am 82 probably for rest of my life ,but it does not control me I control it with pramipexole ,pressure stockings ,massage and trying different things , best wishes to all fellow sufferers ,we will beat this one day , god bless.

[Hidden]

PS, apologies for my poor grammar.

I should have written "Hi, (comma) pramipexole as Jools says etc"

NOT "Hi pramipexole, (comma) as Jools says etc"

This is because your name isn't pramipexole, and Jools didn't say "Hi pramipexole".

As pointed out in the popular book "Eats shoots and leaves" or was it "Eats, shoots, and leaves" or vice versa.

[1Ginge1 in reply to Hidden]

Way to funny, or is that too, or two? At least Manerva, you are nitpicking yourself instead of someone else doing it for you.

[Hidden in reply to 1Ginge1]

I thought they'd need some help. They're not doing very well.

Yet

[1Ginge1 in reply to Hidden]

BIG SMILE. We can use a little hilarity now and then

[HeBgBgirl]

If it’s working and not causing augmentation why change?