Pramipexole .125

[pdpurdy54]

I have been taking pramipexole for years for my RLS. I was prescribed .125 3X daily. I have weaned myself down to 1 pill at night. Can it still augment?

Also, does Adderall affect RLS?

[Joolsg]

Yes. Augmentation does not mean an increase in dose. It means an increase in severity of the disease. Fed by the Pramipexole.Statistics show the overwhelming majority WILL suffer Augmentation on Dopamine Agonists.

So, keep going very slowly. Reduce half a pill every 2 to 3 weeks.

Read this article by Dr Winkelman which explains that these drugs are like pouring gasoline on fire.

Once you're off Pramipexole the RLS settles. It usually takes around a month after the last dose.

Make sure you read the Mayo Algorithm and get full panel bloods and avoid meds that worsen RLS ( anti depressants, anti histamines etc).

The Mayo algorithm sets out the replacement drugs your doctor can prescribe. Either pregabalin/ gabapentin or low dose opioids.

sleepreviewmag.com/sleep-tr...

Adderall may affect your sleep and RLS. I suspect everyone is different. It may worsen it for some. Often ADHD is misdiagnosed in people with severe RLS and especially children and teenagers. The constant sensations and lack of sleep can mimic ADHD symptoms. There are many articles linking the 2 syndromes but it might be a case of chicken and egg. Which comes first?

medicalnewstoday.com/articl....

[SueJohnson]

I'm assuming you did not reduce the dose because you were augmenting and the current dose controls your symptoms. If not then what I am about to say doesn't apply. Yes you can suffer augmentation on any dose. Up to 70% of people on pramipexole will suffer augmentation with the chances increasing each year for the first 8 to 10 years. However if you have been taking it for longer than that, the chances now are slim and 30% don't suffer augmentation at all. So I would say stay on the pramipexole and just be aware of the signs of augmentation which are are when you have to keep increasing your dose to get relief, or when your symptoms occur earlier in the day or there is a shorter period of rest or inactivity before symptoms start or when they move to other parts of your body (arms, trunk or face) or when the intensity of your symptoms worsen. Adderall taken in the morning should be OK as the stimulative effect should wear off by bedtime.

[tagaxel]

It’s my understanding that all of the dopamine agonists eventually result in augmentation. Congratulations on being able to get down to 0.125 mg of pramipexole. If the stuff is still working for you, you have two choices: you can get ahead of the curve by asking your physician to prescribe Horizant to control your RLS or you can wait for the inevitable augmentation and slug it out at that point.

[pdpurdy54]

Thank you all for your input. Unfortunately I am on Wellbutrin. I have severe MDD and have tried so many things! I will eventually wean myself off of the last pramipexole. I use cannabis at night to calm down so I can sleep (1 or 2 gummies for sleep or a vape pen). It really helps. A bonus is that it helps with my RLS!