pramipexole and nasal congestion.

[HelenJS]

Hi everyone, I’ve just joined this group hoping for support I was a member years ago but lost touch unfortunately. I’ve had RLS for around 12 years and i class it as moderate- severe. I’m on Pramipexole (after being on Neupro patch for ten years though I tried many medications to even get there) . After ten years I admitted to myself the patch wasn’t working as well as it did but I knew I didn’t want to try Ropinirole as I tried that when first diagnosed and suffered really bad augmentation. So now I’ve been on Pramipexole for about 6 months now. It has worked well, for the most part and I’m fine with staying on it, but the last couple of nights I’ve had really bad nasal congestion. I know the Pramipexole causes this. So much so that I got no sleep anyway last night, even though my RLS was perfectly controlled. What I’d like to ask is does anyone else have this side effect (I’m sure someone will) and what they use to help the nasal congestion. Otherwise Pramipexole is working for me at the moment. Thanks to all who read this.

[SueJohnson]

I guess you could try claritin, allegra or zyrtec. But you do know that if you augmented on ropinirole and the neupro patch, you are going to augment on pramipexole. Since you have been on it for only 6 months, it will be easier to come off it than if you wait. The dopamine agonists used to be the first line treatment for RLS but no longer are. Gabapentin is. Check out the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS which will tell you everything you want to know about it including the latest treatment and refer your doctor to it at

Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a... Have you had your ferritin checked? Improving it to 100 or more helps 60% of RLS patients and in some cases even completely eliminates their symptoms.

[HelenJS in reply to SueJohnson]

Thanks Sue. I didn’t augment on the Neupro patches, they were just never actually perfect - though I know no medication is. They def worked better than the Ropinirole. I’ll have a look at Gabapentin, thanks, I didn’t know they were more of an option than the DAs nowadays. Much appreciated.

[Joolsg in reply to HelenJS]

I agree with Sue on getting off Pramipexole. Ropinirole caused my veins to dilate ( the veins in my arms looked like tree roots within 30 mins of taking my dose) so Pramipexole will presumably do the same & that's what's probably causing the congestion.

[Maximus01]

I have a similar problem. I rinse my nose every night with NeilMed Sinus rinse. Always use boiled water and have it available. The bottle and packets of saline are all included. It is very easy to use and you can get it everywhere. Also reasonably priced. After I have done this, I spray Flonase just before I go to bed. This works 95% of the time and I am very grateful because my nose stops up during the night and if I cannot breathe, I cannot sleep. Also, sometimes I use "Breathe Right" strips to keep nostrils open when I feel the other stuff is not going to work that night. Hope this helps.

[HelenJS in reply to Maximus01]

Thanks that’s really useful info.

[BocaMom]

I definitely had this side effect during the very brief time I took this drug. Was a blessing in disguise, though, because I didn’t know much about augmentation back then and simply quit taking it. Shifted to Lyrica/Gabapentin.

[rogerwegner]

I have been on Gabapentin for 6 years after augmenting on ropinrole. I started with 2-300 capsules at supper and my neurologist recently boosted it to 300 at breakfast and 300 at lunch. It is great !!