Update

[Firenze1]

I've finally come off ropinirole and am taking pregabalin150 mg only. It's not been easy. It's now 4 weeks since the last sliver of ropinirole and since then the symptoms have started to slowly creep back. I know from advice here that this is to be expected and the pregabalin dose can be increased. The GPs I've seen are, fortunately, following my lead - although the last one said I could go back on ropinirole after a break (that will be when hell freezes over then!!). I requested a referral to a neurologist and am amazed that this wasn't a long wait and I had an appointment last week. She didn't know that pregabalin is prescribed for RLS and looked it up. She prescribes ropinirole and didn't appear to know about augmentation. She has prescribed the 0.25mg of pregabalin which I requested so that I can slowly increase the dose until the symptoms are better controlled. She's also requested the blood test for ferritin levels so at least she knew about that!! I'm not being ungrateful or negative because I feel very fortunate that I'm being listened to and am getting what I ask for however it's a sad sign of the times that the the medics are so ill-informed

[Joolsg]

It's utterly scandalous that so many doctors AND neurologists know zero about RLS.I'm so pleased you managed to get off Ropinirole. Well done.

It can take some time to find the right combination of meds to control the RLS, but you will find what's right for you and in the future, if pregabalin doesn't work, you can then ask the neurologist to prescribe a low dose, long lasting opioid like methadone or Buprenorphine.

[Firenze1 in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks Jools. It's pretty appalling that's for sure.It's shocking actually.

I've always been against using Doctor Google but this just proves we have little option. It's so important to do your own research and equip yourself with the correct information. At the moment the pregabalin is working but it's good to know there's other things that I can take if need be.

[MumofSam]

I found Pregabalin next to useless so stopped taking it in the end. When I feel a bad night coming on I take a couple of co-codamol, which I was prescribed for diverticulitis, and it seems to work most of the time.