Neupro and insomnia

[tomashagg]

I have had RLS for over 20 years, and in the beginning, I was on Sifrol for many years, which worked well. But then I got augmentation and had to work down the dose to have a more tolerable existence. With a lower dose, it worked like that, i.e. I had periods when it was good and others when it was less good. I also tried another medicine (Gabapentin), but nothing worked. I have been using Neupro patch 2 mg for a year and a half, which has worked very well against RLS. So it is restless legs that I have any problems with.

But, I have had other sleep problems as I suffer from insomnia, i.e. difficulty falling asleep. Commonly, this can be a side effect of Neupro. I occasionally take sleeping pills (Stilnoct), but it usually doesn't work, and I don't want to end up addicted.

So, I have no problems with RLS, but more and more issues with my insomnia. Does anyone have/had similar problems or know something in the area when using Neupro?

You can never be satisfied; sometimes, I can have periods when I sleep nothing or, at most, 2-3 hours per night.

[SueJohnson]

I don't have an answer to your question as I would have recommended Stilnoct although you might try Ativan (Lorazepam) although it is similar. Clonazepam might work better but can lead to daytime sleepiness. I would be interested in why you felt gabapentin didn't work. How much were you on?

[tomashagg in reply to SueJohnson]

Gabapentin did not worked at all. I had this during six month and had 4 pills (1200), with some variations and divided on different hours

[Birdland]

I was on the dopamine agonist Ropinirole for many years. When I was coming off of it I was prescribed Neupro patch. I tried using it but couldn’t continue because it caused me to have insomnia. I don’t know if insomnia is a common side effect of Neupro but I definitely experienced it.

[Simkin]

I was on Neupro patches for years until they stopped working but I find any sleeping tablets make my RLS far worse.

[TajarTales]

I am also on 2 mg of Neupro and experienced insomnia. I found that pairing it with 600 mg of gabapentin has worked well for me. The only days when I have problems I believe it is due to my diet. MSG seems to be a major trigger for me, and it is hidden in many processed foods under different names (Google names for MSG). It's also difficult to avoid MSG when you eat in restaurants. I find that eating out mid-day works better than in the evening.