Falls - result of DAs?

[Boldgirl45]

My Mum has periods of falling a lot, and I'm wondering if there's a connection to Ropinerole? She's also on Zapain for arthritis pain....so that could also be a culprit. Just wondered if anyone on here has had balance issues as a result of dopamine agonists?

[ChrisColumbus]

Listed common side effects of ropinirole include dizziness, fatigue and vertigo. Did you start on reducing the rop as you mentioned a few months ago?

And unfortunately the strongest form of co-codamol - which contains 500mg paracetamol and 30mg codeine - (Zapain) can also cause light headedness and dizziness.

[Boldgirl45 in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Sigh… unfortunately I daren’t just yet. She’s so frail. I thought she was perking up quite a bit (from rehydration powder plus other supplements) and was starting to think we could start, but she seems to be relapsing. Such a cocktail of drugs it’s hard to know what’s causing what 😞. Thanks for your response!

[ChrisColumbus in reply to Boldgirl45]

It's difficult I know. We had my wife's mother living with us for all but the final 2 weeks of the last 18 months of her life - from age 96 to 98 - but she was so frail that she was mostly confined to bed, so at least no falling.

[Boldgirl45 in reply to ChrisColumbus]

It’s very difficult for sure 😞

[Joolsg]

Is your mum's RLS completely controlled by her dose of Ropinirole? If not, she will be experiencing Augmentation and trying to walk off the severe RLS. Exhaustion will follow and falls very common.

Has she started the reduction process yet?

Falls can be very dangerous for elderly RLS patients so it is really important you get her reviewed by a knowledgeable doctor asap.

She will need to be monitored as she switches from Ropinirole to another, suitable med.

Ideally, if there are no contraindications, methadone or Buprenorphine would be better as they would cover most of the withdrawals. Going through a slow withdrawal without replacement meds will be very difficult and lead to very severe RLS and constant walking to relieve symptoms. Falls are common. But very dangerous for a woman in her 80s.

Where are you?

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Joolsg]

In all honesty there doesn't seem to be an easy answer to anything - I'll definitely look into the Buprenorphine. I know we have so many amazing resources on here, but is there anything specifically on that drug that they can show to the GP? THankfully her new GP seems much more helpful at least....

[Joolsg in reply to Boldgirl45]

researchgate.net/publicatio...

relacshealth.com/

Dr Berkowski did a study on Buprenorphine and has lots of useful information and webcasts on his website.

It will be VERY difficult for an 80 year old with balance issues to get through Ropinirole withdrawal without the help of low dose opioids.

Ideally, she should be in a supervised rehab hospital.

I fell over constantly during Ropinirole withdrawal. I HAD to move but was completely exhausted from zero sleep for 4 days and nights.

[Boldgirl45 in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks so much for this Joolsg - very much appreciated