Long term requip use side effects

[Napoleon1st]

Over the past 15 years my requip dose increased to 4mg. After taking 4mg nightly for 6 years, I’ve suddenly began having nighttime side effects including waves of severe nausea, indigestion, and major sweats. Soaking wet pillows each night. Horrible indigestion. Waves of nausea and a tiredness. Although I’m taking other medications including several changes in meds, it begins shortly after taking my dose of requip and may last all night and early mornings. I do not take any other meds within hours of taking requip. RLS absolutely destroyed my 60 year life and made it not worth living since I was 17 years old. However Requip changed my life completely. Although I still suffer terribly, I am at least not suicidal. 10 years ago I had a spinal stimulator implanted that also helps tremendously by distracting my brain at night. The neurologist that originally prescribed requip relocated several states away but I’ve been fortunate to have my primary continue to prescribe it for the last 6 years. The last 3 neurologists basically said that RLS is only an annoyance and believe it is fad for hypochondriacs. I also have a chronic disease that requires daily medication that recently began to lose its effectiveness and forced me to change the “cocktail “ that I had taken for many years. Because of that change I had to also change my blood thinner. So I don’t know where to start. Each doctor denies that their medication is at fault for the new side effects. And of course the side effects are listed for every medication ever made! Has anyone begun having these side effects after taking requip for so long? I have tried other RLS meds during augmentation spells but had pretty awful side effects both physically and mentally. I have had these side effects several times over the many years after mistakingly double dosing. Non of my doctors want to deal with the RLS and want me to check in to the sleep center. But with covid flourishing in Las Vegas at the moment, they are not accepting patients. I am so desperate. This blog probably knows more about RLS than most doctors.

[LotteM]

Hi napoleon, funny name. Welcome.

You seem to be in a difficult position, with several ailments influencing your quality of life. I am so sorry to read that your doctors are unable to help. Diagnosing and treating conditions is their core 'business', but handling side effects has long been overlooked. In the last years doctors begin to apply 'personalised medicine' which I assume includes reactions to medicines, again including side effects. But often, very little is known about them apart from the long lists. I assume (again) that these lists simply have to do with liability of the pharmaceutical companies.

But all this doesn't help you. What would, is proper care that we cannot provide. First, I would like to refer you to the very recently update guidelines for the treatment of rls: mayoclinicproceedings.org/a.... Second, I strongly urge to contact the excellent patient organisation rls.org (US). They select and certify quality care centres, the closest is at Scripps, San Diego, CA, but is still a (too?) long distance away. There may be other well informed doctors closer by. Do het in touch and if you can become a member ($35 annually).

I suspect your medications, also for your other ailments, need reviewing in light of their (side) effects and interactions. This goes far beyond RLS knowledge and experiences, thus we here at HU cannot help you with that. I do want to remind you that 4mg is the maximum recommended dose and many specialists think it should be 1mg. If symptoms spread into the day, return faster after taking your Requip dose and spread to other body parts than the legs, this is called augmentation. This applies particularly to dopamine agonists, of which requip is one. In that case, you should, SLOWLY, reduce the requip. But not without help of a knowledgeable doctor. And we recommend not to switch to another or longer acting dopamine agonist, as it seems to us / in our common experience that in the end augmentation returns - and becomes harder to treat and reverse.

I hope you find good help soon, can get an appointment soon and will start to feel much better. Do stay in touch. We're here with experiences, information and above all to listen (moan away if needed! 😉) and share. Take care.

[Joolsg]

Hi Napoleon,I agree with Lotte. Your complex health history will require seeing a doctor familiar with RLS and your other health issues. I agree with Lotte's advice. The rls.org site has excellent information and a list of specialist RLS Centres. They also have local USA co ordinators who can direct you to knowledgeable doctors in your state. It will be the best $35 you have spent.

The requip dose of 4mg after all those years will inevitably cause augmentation at some point and you will need a doctor who can help you get through that.

[Elffindoe]

How awful. I'm so sorry to read this.

Others I think have given you sound advice.

I find it difficult that something you've been taking for years should suddenly develop side effects you've not had before.

It's just a thought, but if I developed the symptoms you described I'd be concerned I'd have a new disease. If it coincides with taking the ropinirole, it may be the rop is a trigger.

It might be a good idea to see a primary doctor to consider these symptoms AS IF YOU DON'T take any medication.

Your symptoms sound like GERD, this will be worse when lying down.

See this link

healthline.com/health/gerd/...