Pramipexole, restless legs and tummy ache

[RestlessMe]

I am cutting down on pramipexole. And I really appreciate the advice and help him by members of this group.

Does anybody else find that when their legs are particularly restless they also have tummy ache?

[Niamhcaiden]

I’m going to stop taking them as my legs and now arms are worse than ever, should you reduce them or can you just stop? Sorry but not much help to you as I have same problem.

[RestlessMe in reply to Niamhcaiden]

rls-uk.org

mayoclinic.org/drugs-supple...

[LotteM in reply to Niamhcaiden]

Reduce slowly. Very slowly. Eg half a pill every two weeks. It depends a bit on your current dose and the amount of pramipexole per pill. Smallest pill amount is 0.088/0.125mg.

[Niamhcaiden in reply to LotteM]

I’ve not taken them yesterday and I’m going to take my tramadol instead, it had been so much worse and now it’s in my arms 😭 people can’t understand how bad it is unless they have it, I think I’m going mad 😡

[DicCarlson in reply to Niamhcaiden]

Niamhcaiden - withdrawal will take awhile. DO NOT quit cold turkey. LotteM's suggestion is important. Read more on augmentation and the current RLS protocols from the Mayo Clinic. mayoclinicproceedings.org/a...

[lovelakelife in reply to Niamhcaiden]

I have personally never experienced that. I really depend on my pramipexole for my restless legs or I would go crazy. I take 1 pill at 6:00 and 2nd pill at 8:00. I can always tell If I forget to take the 2nd pill cuz my legs go crazy! I do have some twitching in my arms but so far it is not bad. I just pray that I don’t have augmentation cuz that would be really tough. I feel sorry for ANYONE who has restless legs!!! I am glad I have not experienced the stomach pains. Bless you!!!

[SueJohnson in reply to lovelakelife]

Have you had your ferritin checked?

[Niamhcaiden in reply to SueJohnson]

yes been checked and now taking B 12

[SueJohnson in reply to Niamhcaiden]

It was over 100 then?

[LotteM]

Sorry, can't help about the tummy ache. If it persists for more than a week or a bit longer , consult your doctor. Not many people if any have mentioned this on this forum in the last few years.

[Munroist]

Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome (DAWS) is a reasonable well documented set of symptoms experienced by people coming off Dopamine agonists. Most of the side effects seem to relate to compulsive behaviour, anxiety, and include ... anxiety, discouragement, feeling sad or empty, irritability, lack of appetite, lack of feeling or emotion, loss of interest or pleasure, sweating, tiredness, trouble concentrating, trouble sleeping, uncaring, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Generalised pain is also mentioned on many posts and articles but not all so it doesn't seem to be as prevalent as the rest but I wonder whether this is what people are experiencing after coming off DA's especially if there are no clear other causes of pain such as arthritis, rheumatism, or spine and nerve problems.

[SueJohnson]

That's great that you are coming off pramipexole. I know it is hard. Gabapentin is now the first line treatment for RLS. Beginning dose is usually 300 mg gabapentin. Start it 3 weeks before you are off pramipexole although it won't be fully effective until you are off it for several weeks. After that increase it by 100 mg every couple of days until you find the dose that works for you. Take it 1-2 hours before bedtime. If you need more than 600 mg take the extra 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. If you need more than 1200 mg, take the extra 6 hours before bedtime. Most of the side effects of gabapentin will disappear after a few weeks and the few that don't will usually lessen. Those that remain are usually worth it for the elimination of the RLS symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS: "Most RLS patients require 1200 to 1800 mg of gabapentin daily." If you take magnesium take it at least 3 hours before taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of the gabapentin

[DerAusgewanderte]

here is my experience for reference. I am sure it will be different for everybody. I do not remember any stomach aches. I do remember that I had some pretty bad allergy like reaction to gabapentin and never continued trying that (my health provider noted it with an allergic reaction - really not sure).

Good luck and wish you a good outcome!

healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...