Coming off the Dopermine antagonists

[moggie8]

Hi is there anyone that's weined off these drugs that Didn't experience the anxiety.

[RLSAndy]

Hey - my anxiety is had from it was more based in side effects which was poor sleep and involuntary body movements, the lack of sleep made my mind quite dark at times for sure. I had family and friends around me to help and this forum helped with info too.

[moggie8 in reply to RLSAndy]

Hi so it was more from lack of sleep and involuntary movements

[RLSAndy in reply to moggie8]

For me personally I’d say yes but I am a long sufferer of anxiety and was going through a heavy time with my business at the time too along side a pretty intense weight loss program to do with weight lifting.

[moggie8 in reply to RLSAndy]

Oh yes ok it's hard to tell them if you were an anxiety sufferer I started anxiety when I started on this pill. Never had it before in my life. I didn't connect the dots. But seems worse now

[RLSAndy in reply to moggie8]

From what I have read on here I’d say it will be from it as the meds are pure evil, be it direct or as a consequence of what you’re going through. IMO the root cause may be hard to find but managing it is paramount, I’ve developed heart problems and all sorts since being put on the horrible medicine but see light at the end of my tunnel now. I hope you find your peace.

[moggie8 in reply to RLSAndy]

What's IMO how long were you on the Dopermine drug for

[RLSAndy in reply to moggie8]

Sorry its short for in my opinion. I was on them for about 6 months but my memory has been clouded since. It took me around the same time to come off them. A Dr told me to come off 4mg straight which was awful and thanks to this place i went back up and started coming down .25 every two weeks and it was horrific im sorry to report.

[moggie8 in reply to RLSAndy]

Yes I'm sorry too for you Drs don't have a dam clue. But your off now. I'm only on the lowest dose. Did you use any other drugs coming off? What was the worst part?

[RLSAndy in reply to moggie8]

I used 60mg of Codeine i had to get from my Mom as my Dr would not give it me, that helped sometimes and i strongly believe although it was still bad it would have been worse without it. I was on pregabalin at the time also. As i stated in my other post cannabis oil also helped but you have to be careful with dosing and obviously if thats not a world you know it’s maybe best to leave out as can equally cause anxiety!

Im now off the DAs and on 600mg pregabalin with the addition of a a 5mcg Buprenorphine patch and had 4 amazing nights sleep so far, its still early days but its giving me hope.

[Madlegs1]

Anxiety is a common aspect of withdrawal symptoms.

I suspect that most people suffering any withdrawals will experience anxiety.

The thing to remember, and keep close to heart, is that it will be over at some time.

The body will get back to normal at some point.

For RLS ,this may not be satisfactory, but there are good treatments/ strategies out there that can allow sufferers to live normal happy lives.

Hang in there.👍💚

[moggie8 in reply to Madlegs1]

It was originally a medication that started my restless legs since I've stopped that a month ago haven't had any problems. It's just the anxiety feels horrid. You said there a good treatments and strategies are you meaning for the anxiety or the restless legs. If it's the anxiety will those treatments work while weining off this drug. Thanks for your time

[Madlegs1 in reply to moggie8]

The restless legs.

The anxiety seems to be deeper rooted.

[moggie8 in reply to Madlegs1]

Yes I think withdrawals from drugs cause abit of anxiety but not what I have

[RLSAndy in reply to moggie8]

Sorry to jump in to your convo. I wanted to add that from someone who suffers with anxiety weight training and exercise has changed my life. Eating clean whole foods, no alcohol also changed my life. Depending on how open you are to alternate medicines cannabis oil with the THC still in has helped and also i know lots who micro dose magoc mushrooms that help but obviously this isnt for everyone i just wanted to mention it.

[Delilah162]

Hi, I took my last DA on August 31st last year. It was the worst thing ever coming off them. I had no other medication to help but had support from the forum. I didn't have anxiety I just had very low mood which obviously goes hand in hand with lack of sleep, worsening of symptoms etc. I'm now on low dose oxycodone although I do still have break through plmd/rls I am much improved.

[moggie8 in reply to Delilah162]

What dose were you on and how long? And you had no meds. Withdrawing from it gee.Did you do slow taper? Did it get easier after the 4/5 days of each drop? Once you were off it how long till the symptoms improve

[Delilah162 in reply to moggie8]

I was on 5 x 0.88mgs tablets of pramipexole and was on them for a year. I augmented on them really quickly. I managed to persuade my g.p for some codeine towards the end she would only give me 10mgs for 2 weeks but I took 60 for 2 nights then they were gone. It didn't help anyway. I got off them on the quicker side as I thought might aswell get it over with. I think it took a month or 6 weeks to get off it. It was awful I'm not going to lie. I didn't really get better hence starting the Oxycodone.

[moggie8 in reply to Delilah162]

Oh ok you were on a high dose.

[Delilah162 in reply to moggie8]

Yes I went up and through the doses pretty quick by all accounts

[Hedgehob_Bob]

By the end of the year, I successfully tapered off DA (Pramipexole) after taking them for 12 years, and it appears I'm one of the rare individuals who didn’t experience severe withdrawal effects. I had no anxiety and was able to sleep at least a few hours each night.

I’ve since switched to Gabapentin, but unfortunately, it hasn’t been very effective. I still struggle almost every night, managing only 3 to 6 hours of sleep at best.

[moggie8 in reply to Hedgehob_Bob]

Oh ok they say your legs should go back to what they were before starting. Lucky you though not having a hard time. I was only on .125

[moggie8 in reply to Hedgehob_Bob]

So u don't take meds now

[Hedgehob_Bob in reply to moggie8]

I am currently taking 1500 mg of Gabapentin, divided into three doses. However, I feel that it isn’t helping much—dopamine agonists have likely damaged my dopamine receptors enough. I guess I will have to switch to a different medication.

[moggie8 in reply to Hedgehob_Bob]

Were you on a high dose?

[Hedgehob_Bob in reply to moggie8]

Before stopping Prami, I was on 0.25. About a year ago, I was on 0.375 but then reduced it to 0.25 because RLS started to appear in the arms (augmentation). Last December, I started following the withdrawal schedule of RLS UK.

[SueJohnson in reply to Hedgehob_Bob]

You are taking gabapentin the wrong way. This is the correct way:

Take it 1 to 2 hours before bedtime as the peak plasma level is 2 hours. Since you need more than 600 mg take the next 600 mg 4 hours before bedtime as it is not as well absorbed above 600 mg. And the final 600 mg 6 hours before bedtime.

If you take magnesium even in a multivitamin, don't take it within 3 hours of taking gabapentin as it will interfere with the absorption of gabapentin and don't take calcium nor antacids within 2 hours for the same reason.

If it helps somewhat but taking it this way still doesn't control your RLS the you cab switch to pregabalin. The equivalent amount is 300 mg. You don't need to divide the doses and you can switch directly. Then increase by 25 mg every couple of days until your RLS is controlled. The maximum dose is 450 mg but you can actually take up to 600 mg.

If it is still not controlled post back here and I can give you some advice.

Have you had your ferritin checked? If so, what was it? Improving your ferritin to 100 or more helps 60% of people with RLS and in some cases completely eliminates their symptoms. This is the first thing a doctor should do. If not when you see your doctor ask for a full iron panel. Stop taking any iron supplements including multivitamins that have iron in them 48 hours before the test, don't eat a heavy meat meal the night before, fast after midnight and have your test in the morning before 9 am if possible. When you get the results, ask for your ferritin and transferrin saturation (TSAT) numbers. You want your transferrin saturation to be over 20% but less than 45% and your ferritin to be at least 100. If they are not, post them here and we can give you some advice.

Some things that can make RLS symptoms worse for some people are alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, sugar, carbs, foods high in sodium(salt), foods that cause inflammation, ice cream, eating late at night, dehydration, MSG, collagen supplements, electrolyte imbalance, melatonin although it doesn't for all, eating late at night, stress and vigorous exercise. It is a good idea to keep a food diary to see if any food make your RLS worse.

Some things that help some people include caffeine, moderate exercise, weighted blankets, compression socks, elastic bandages, masturbation, magnesium glycinate, fennel, low oxalate diet, selenium, 5 minute shower alternating 20 seconds cold water with 10 seconds hot water finishing with hot water for another couple of minutes, hot baths, distractions, CBD, applying a topical magnesium lotion or spray, doing a magnesium salts soak, vitamins B1, B3, B6, B12, D3, K2, if deficient, and potassium and copper if deficient, massage including using a massage gun, vibration devices like therapulse, using a standing desk, listening to music, meditation and yoga.

Many medicines and OTC supplements can make RLS worse. If you are taking any and you list them here, I can tell you if any make RLS symptoms worse and if so may be able to give you a safe substitute. I have a list of more than 300 medicines and OTC supplements that make RLS worse and have safe alternatives for most of them.