Firstly can I say what a helpful facility this website is and the knowledge of its members is outstanding.
I’ve been taking the dreaded Pramipexole (0.088 x2) per evening. Legs and arms mostly under control. Since reading about the above I’ve decided to eradicate it from my system. As recommended I’ve reduced my dosage by half a tablet per evening. WOW! For the last 3 nights I’ve managed no more than 2 hours sleep per night. The strange thing is that even though I’m not sleeping I’m not getting any problems re legs and arms?!?!
I’ve also previously been prescribed Longtec/Oxycodone 5mg and Zopiclone 7.5 mg. for use when things get bad. I’m reluctant to use these because of the well known addiction problems.
Would those who know more than me suggest that I should whilst battling with Pramipexole withdrawal use either or both of the above?
When would you advocate me speaking with my doctor- at which time I will request a full panel iron blood test as well as an alternative to Statins? As well as switching to Gabapentin or Pregabalin.
I look forward to reading your views and again, thanks for your support.
Kricketer
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Kricketer
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Please don't worry about addiction to zopliclone. I have taken it for 20 years about 3 x per week. I use it when I desperately need sleep. It doesn't stop rls but helps you sleep through it. I am probably physiologically addicted but certainly not physically as I never increase dose and make sure I only take half a tablet. This has helped me lead a relatively normal life
Hello there Kricketeter, I have read your comment regarding your current treatment for RLS. I’m not sure if you also have PLMD/PLMS also, but I have both. And both are serve and occurred suddenly over 8 years ago. For yrs I struggled with several different Dr’s including three separate Sleep Specialists. I went through the entire routine of the so-called medications that were to help me. They only increased my symptoms/Augmentation. After spending hours searching the internet and reviewing studies after studies (I have a degree in Social Work, so I know how to interpret them), as a result I found a treatment protocol that was used by John Hopkins University Doctors, that recommended the use of Oxycodone. Thankfully, I was able to find a Dr here in my hometown, who is not only a MD, but also a “Functional Medicine Specialist. After, exhausting all the traditional treatments for RLS, I showed him a copy of the RLS treatment protocol from Johns Hopkins. He was willing to treat me by following that protocol, which literally changed my life. ***I will try to send you a link to it later, as I don’t want to risk getting bumped of of here.
I’m not familiar with the medication you referred to Longtec, or Zopilicone? Would you please educate me on those?
As for the concerns about addiction by the use of Oxycodone, according to the studies concerning addiction by treatment with oxycodone, remember this, which you might share with your doctor. The odds of the average RLS patient abusing the use of Oxycodone is low. One of the reasons is, once an Dr realizes that it’s happening, they are going to discontinue it ASAP. And if they have any sense they don’t do that, because it’s not worth it. Also, at the 5 mg every 6 hours dosage doesn’t give you enough of a High/Buzz to make it worthwhile.
Unless they find a Cure for RLS, using Oxycodone to treat your RLS it is no different a Diabetic who has to inject Insulin to treat it, you’re going to need it the rest of your life. So it’s really not an option if you are serious about managing your life/RLS.
Another thing your Doctor needs to consider if they actually care about you as a Human being, and I don’t want to frighten you or anyone else who might read this, the statistics of the rate of Suicide are higher than the average person for RLS sufferers.
As for me I’ve been on a RLS/PLMD treatment protocol of 5 mg of Oxycodone every 6 hours, and 10 mg of Baclofen every 8 hours. As a result, along with diet and exercise my life is as close to normal as it’s ever been. **** To be honest if I hadn’t finally found a Dr to treat me properly, I would Contemplating taking my own life. The only thing that stopped me was my Religious beliefs and what it would do to my family.
My best advice to you is the do your own research on the subject’s I talked about, then print the information and take it to your Dr, most Dr’s don’t listen to their patients, as a result of the current medical system doesn’t allow them enough time to do so. Also, if they can cover their Butt’s with a Hardcopy of the studies for their files, they are more apt to prescribe opioids. Here in the US, it’s almost impossible to find a Dr who is willing to do so, as they are closely monitored and if the overseer’s object it’s over for them.
I will try to send you some links to print out, so you can provide them to your doctor at your next visit,
Good luck to you, Wayne
PS: I’m sure there will be a lot of negative feedback from my comments, but hopefully they will do their own , before going there!
There won't be any negative feedback on this forum. Most of us are familiar with the Mayo Updated Algorithm on RLS which more encompassing at Https://mayoclinicproceedings.org/a... . I'm glad you found the one you did.
Longtec, is oxycodone that is supposed to last 12 hours but doesn't. Zopiclone is a sleeping pill available in the UK but not in the US.
Here’s the information that you need to take to your Dr. I was mistaken, it was Not Johns Hopkins, it was the Mayo Clinic who published this life saving information.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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