I have an appointment for my annual check-up on the 19th. Before my upcoming visit, I emailed my provider about augmentation and the pramipexole, but they have not answered other than a query about what 'augmentation' means. I have read a few articles the V.A. has on the V.A. website and, in my opinion, they seem not completely to understand or want to spend time on the subject. I feel that a lot of the confusion, or lack of concern, is that many people want to file for benefits, this will always put the walls up. Anyway; I understand that they can prescribe several different things but which one they may choose for me will be a gamble. These are Gabapentin, Ambien, Cymbalta, and Levodopa/Carbidopa. Also, one article mentions Rotigotine Transdermal Patch, Burosumab-twza Injection, and Ropinirole. Not knowing what med, or if they change it at all, would be best. These articles, if time taken, are inciteful as to the way they look at RLS. Some comments I find sadly amusing.
You do not want Cymbalta, nor Levodopa/Carbidopa nor Rotigotine. Cymbalta makes RLS worse for most and Levodopa/Carbidopa , Ropinirole and Rotigotine Transdermal Patch (Neupro) are DAs. Ambien is a sleeping pill and is OK - won't help RLS. I can't imagine why it mentions Burosumab-twza Injection as it has nothing to do with RLS.
I gave you the information on how to come off of pramipexole and how to take gabapentin. Do you still have it? If not I will be glad to repeat it since you know they will probably say to just stop it cold turkey.
If you are referring to mayoclinicproceedings.org/a..., then Yes. It's lengthy and I don't know if she will take the time to read it. I'm not sure that she even looks into the possible interactions of my drugs. I will mention gabapentin to her and see what she says or does.
No although you could print out appropriate sections to show her.
I meant my advice I believe I gave you on how to reduce the pramipexole to come off it, when to start the gabapentin and how to take it. Here it is healthunlocked.com/rlsuk/po...
Sadly you have come across outdated advice which shows the VA need to update their knowledge and training on RLS.It's a common, worldwide scandal.
Doctors aren't taught about RLS in medical school or during ongoing training. The only doctors who are fully aware of the disease, and how to treat it effectively, are those who have treated thousands of patients and developed an expertise. They are the ones who realised dopamine agonists had turned on the patient. They also realised RLS patients needed brain iron stores via higher blood serum ferritin.
You can ask the VA doctor to look at RLS curbside.
It's a free site set up by the RLS foundation in the USA and allows healthcare providers to ask questions and get help treating RLS. Ask the VA doctor to use it.
And follow SueJohnson advice on getting off dopamine agonists safely and starting the replacement med - likely gabapentin.
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Augmentation Concerns Being Overblown?
The Illusory Truth Effect, or something like that
RLS is ruining my life!
