Pramipexole vs Gabapentin

[blue2023]

I have been on Pramipexole for many years and my RLS is getting worse, with symptoms early in the day and arms and shoulders affected most days

I asked my GP about changing to Gabapentin and he said to just stop the Pramipexole and start on 100mg Gabapentin.

I told him about this forum and took along some of the posts about gradually changing over medication but he was unwilling to take the information on board because he queried the qualifications of those giving advice, (Sue Johnson being one)

I chickened out of changing medication because I was not confident about my doctor's advice so I am still having bad days every day.

How can I convince him to take this forum seriously and deal with my situation properly?

[Madlegs1]

As you realise ,you are suffering from augmentation.

Do not change directly.

You need to follow Sue's advice on such situations -- slowly and by small amounts.

Can you change doctor?? He is obviously not very confident in his ignorance and I can't see you getting any good out of such a personality.

All the best.

[ChrisColumbus]

If he wants something both UK based and more 'official' than posts from very experienced and knowledgeable forum members, have you read and referred him to RLS-UK's recently posted document on dopamine agonist withdrawal?:

rls-uk.org/_files/ugd/b0a19...

If you're on your phone and don't want to jump straight into the PDF, this and other useful resources - including two other new PDFs - are linked from here:

rls-uk.org/useful-resources

[SueJohnson]

Where do you live? I might be able to give you the name of a good doctor.

You could print out the appropriate sections of the Mayo Algorithm to show him.

You could start reducing on your own without telling him. However since you are suffering I would first increase it so you start from a place where you are not already suffering.

You could get cannabis to help with your suffering as you reduce. It is legal in the UK. According to Joolsg "You have to use an online private pharmacy. I use Sapphire Clinic. You fill out a form, they contact your surgery for medical records. You book a zoom tele appointment, pay £45 & they then send a link to a pharmacy who you pay online. The cannabis is then couriered within a week". vaping will give immediate results."

[blue2023 in reply to SueJohnson]

Many thanks for all replies, they are much appreciated. I think I need to go back to my GP and discuss again how to mange this, taking more information from this forum. If that doesn't work then maybe I should change my doctor. I live in Havant, Hampshire.

[SueJohnson in reply to blue2023]

Dr Robin Frackrell at the Royal United Bath NHS Foundation Trust at Sulis Hospital Bath is excellent. It is about 2 hours away but is worth it.

[blue2023 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you Sue. I will definitely keep that in mind. Will report back after GP visit!