Grateful to my Neurologist and "HealthUnlocked"!

[PianoRunner]

I have had moderate/severe RLS for 14 years. Traveled the paths of Mirapex (augmented) and Ropinerole (augmented). I was recently made aware of a neurologist in my area that specialized and researched RLS. During my recent appointment, he recommended eliminating the Ropinerole and slowly adding Pregablin. He told me that it would be a bumpy road; expecting 7-10 days of little to no sleep. I took my last dose of Ropinerole 5 days, while adding Pregabalin. While my nighttime sleep has been rough, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 hours of sleep, today, after a full day at work I was to nap for almost 2 hours. I have not done that in over a decade. Eventhough it's a little step, I celebrate that today! ** Do you research ... find your advocates (Thank you "HealthUnlocked"!) ... search for the right medical guidance. Stay strong, RLS friends.

[nocturne]

I'm so sorry that you had to go through this, but am glad that things are finally improving! You're very brave, and I congratulate you for dealing with this ordeal with such a positive spirit. Thank you for sharing your journey with us; you're an inspiration to the rest of us.

[PianoRunner in reply to nocturne]

I'm grateful to this group for sharing information and giving me hope!

[PianoRunner in reply to nocturne]

I'm grateful to this group for sharing information and giving me hope!

[PianoRunner in reply to nocturne]

Thank you for your reply. I'm grateful to this group for sharing information and giving me hope!

[ChrisColumbus]

You may well already know this, but I understand from other's experience that it can take several weeks for pregabalin to become fully effective after coming off a dopamine agonist. So hopefully as you say what you have experienced so far is just that little step on the path to controlling RLS symptoms, and that you find that your body quickly adjusts to the pregabalin. Well done.

[PianoRunner in reply to ChrisColumbus]

I'm grateful to this group for sharing information and giving me hope!

[PianoRunner in reply to ChrisColumbus]

It's still a work-in-progress but I'm seeing results. I'm grateful to this group for sharing information and giving me hope!

[Joolsg]

Well done. Getting off dopamine agonists is very difficult, but you've done it. It will take a few months for the withdrawals to settle and around a month for pregabalin to work fully.

I hope you get more sleep and more naps from now on.

[PianoRunner in reply to Joolsg]

Getting off the Ropinerole has been a challenge! But, my mantra has been "I've given birth to 2 children an run 16 marathons ... I've got this. Warrior on!"

[SueJohnson]

It sounds like you have a knowledgeable neurologist. Can you share his name and the city so I will be able to recommend him to someone else if needed as there are so few doctors that are knowledgeable.

[PianoRunner in reply to SueJohnson]

Sure! Dr. Aaron Ellenbogen, in the Detroit area.

[PianoRunner in reply to SueJohnson]

Dr. Ellenbogen is with the M.I.N.D. ... Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders.

[SueJohnson]

Thank you.