Questions on side effects and long term treatment.

[Tpebop]

For various reasons (including gentle pressure from t'missus!) I believe I may have to move on to 24 hour treatment for my RLS and PLMD. I tried the Patch but could only use the 3mg/24hour dose, the side-effects of which made me a zombie at work, almost losing me my job. The alternative seems to be the slow release pramipexole. Question 1: does the slow release pramipexole have side effects like the Patch as I would like to remain awake during the working day?

I have worried about the affect on my brain of having treatment at night (PLMD being my main concern) but moving to a 24 hour situation is more worrying. RLS is a neuophysiological condition, the treatment works on activity in our brains. I know the Site Elders have repeatedly denied links to the obvious frighteners like Parkinsons' or Alzheimers' but...Question 2: have any site users experienced - or researched into - major physiological (brain etc) side effects due to longterm/ continuous RLS treatment?

Best wishes y'all! Tpebop, Kent, Britain.

[Hidden]

Hi Tpebob, RLS is a neurological condtion. The dopamine meds boost the dopamine in our brains that we supposedly lack, but it is not the same condition as Parkinsons. As already you have read on here, people with Parkinsons can develope RLS, but not the other way round. As for long term treatment for RLS, I do know of people who have been taking the dopamine meds for a long time..ie. 12 years, as the meds for RLS, havent been around for much more than that time, its hard to say what effects long term could potentially be. NOT taking any meds, and having sleep deprivation, i would personally say, is a more of a health issue, that i am sure would have an effect on your brain, sleep deprivation, makes us have memory loss, lack of consentration, ongoing tiredness, cant think straight. It does for me anyways. And as we all experience different reactions to how meds work for us, the only way is to try the slow release .

[Tpebop in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Romany and Elisse for your information and advice; most helpful, and, more importantly, reassuring. All the best, Tpebop.

[Tpebop in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Romany and Elisse for your information and advice; most helpful, and, more importantly, reassuring. All the best, Tpebop.

[peterk]

Hello Tpebo

I do have virtual insomnia and the affects are very bad on memory and general well being. I can't take the dopamine agonist meds and I have to rely on pain killing meds. I do sympathise with you greatly as I am very badly affected by my chronic RLS at present. Seeing the doctor tomorrow. I have RLS 24/7 as many of us do.

[CathyS]

I thought these meds were available longer than for 12 years. I started on Sinemet about 18 years ago and switched to the patch 5 years ago. I sometimes wonder if the 'being tired during the day' thing might be caused by not sleeping well even if the legs are calm enough to sleep. I have been very fortunate to get relief without the nausea!

[Hidden]

I was talking about the newer dopamine agonists, i forgot about Sinemet as its not used really these days for RLS.