RLS and medicin

[Johsschmidt]

i started on buprenorphin and have been on it for 1 1/2 mdr. I need 0.6 mg to keep my rls at bay. I'm wondering if I should take a little bit of sifrol so I can stay on 0.4 mg?

Best

John

[Madlegs1]

It is ,of course, possible--- but it would be very risky to do so.

Sifrol (Pramipexol) is not a first line medication for RLS., and carries a lot of risks for using it.--- augmentation, and side effects such as gambling, etc.

You would be better off to explore any possible reasons for your RLS.

What is your serum ferritin number.

What medications are you on-- especially antidepressants, antihistamines and statins.

Keeping a food diary can help pinpoint possible triggers . Fizzy drinks, processed meats, msg , alcohol and loads of other stuff.

Good luck.

[Johsschmidt in reply to Madlegs1]

❤️🙏

[SueJohnson]

No do not take a little bit of sifrol. You worked hard to get off Madopar as you augmented on that and a little bit of sifrol will put you right back in to augmentation again. The usual effective dose of buprenorphine is .5 to 6.0 mg according to the Mayo Clinic Updated Algorithm on RLS so nothing wrong with the .6 mg you are taking.

[Johsschmidt in reply to SueJohnson]

❤️🙏

[Joolsg]

Very simple. No.Sifrol causes over excitement and often permanent damage to dopamine receptors and that drives the severe RLS we see on here every single day.

The top experts in the USA, who see thousands of RLS patients a year, not just 10 or 20 like European neurologists, have now relegated ALL dopamine agonists to 'end of life scenarios'. That's how dangerous they believe they are.

0.6mg is below average dose for Buprenorphine, so stay on that and accept you have severe RLS and will need meds for life.

Buprenorphine will not cause addiction or tolerance, unless you have a history of drug abuse.

Avoid ALL dopamine agonists.

I know some UK doctors have prescribed Buprenorphine to help patients off Pramipexole. Sadly, some patients feel better straight away so stay on Pramipexole and Buprenorphine.

Then, of course, Pramipexole breaks through and causes augmentation. And the patients have to go through hellish withdrawal and the Buprenorphine doesn't help until withdrawal is over.

Buprenorphine is an effective drug for severe RLS. Get off Pramipexole and stay on 0.6mg Buprenorphine.

[Johsschmidt]

❤️🙏

[TheDoDahMan in reply to Johsschmidt]

The gals have given you excellent advice. Just because bupe is an opioid doesn't mean it is poisonous like the DAs are. You are unlikely to develop tolerance at these low doses, so the difference between .4 and .6 is no big deal.

[Johsschmidt]

❤️🙏