If you have taken/are taking Mirapex for Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), what has been your experience with it?
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 at
1:07 pm
Sway asked:
I had a couple of sleep studies a while back during the first one, they determined I did indeed have sleep apnea (OSA). When I went back and did the one with the CPAP, my leg movement was very high (was waking me up twice as much as the apnea). The restless leg syndrome might have been masked by me not actually getting any sleep. Anyway, the doctor has just started me on Mirapex for RLS. I’m looking for any experiences with this drug as it seems to have been recently available to treat RLS.
Yes, I was given a starter pack and a prescription for .5 but instructed to cut the pill in half unless I felt like I needed the .5 (which I hope its clear to me if I do or don’t).
I had a couple of sleep studies a while back during the first one, they determined I did indeed have sleep apnea (OSA). When I went back and did the one with the CPAP, my leg movement was very high (was waking me up twice as much as the apnea). The restless leg syndrome might have been masked by me not actually getting any sleep. Anyway, the doctor has just started me on Mirapex for RLS. I’m looking for any experiences with this drug as it seems to have been recently available to treat RLS.
Yes, I was given a starter pack and a prescription for .5 but instructed to cut the pill in half unless I felt like I needed the .5 (which I hope its clear to me if I do or don’t).
OK, I don’t gamble at all and never had it in me to do it so I don’t think that will be a problem.
I haven’t seen a good description of what actually the sexual side effects are. Your post said sexual impulses…I’m a guy…I already have those.
Tagged with: Leg Syndrome Rls • Sexual Side Effects • Sleep
Filed under: Restless Leg Syndrome
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I work with patients with movement disorders, many of whom are taking Mirapex. I know that it is helpful for many symptoms; however a lot of my patients have been taken off of it for increased gambling and sexual impulses. Be sure to pay attention to any other impulse control disorder symptoms, such as eating or shopping, as well.
I don’t use it, but I have prescribed it for many of my patients.
RLS is really a ****** for people with BAD symptoms. I’m not certain how bad yours are, but I hope you will find the Mirapex works for you. Did your doc give you a sample of the medication, or just the script? I usually give my patients a sample pack to get them started.
So far, I’ve had probably better than a 90-95% success in my practice with the patients on this medication. Rarely do I have to up the dose past what comes in the sample pack either.
There is also another medication on the market we use called Requip that has also been shown to work well in my patients. It had the indication for RLS before Mirapex did, so you’ll probably hear/see more about that one.
Good med. Hope it works as well for you as with my patients.
All the best.
all meds have adverse reactions possible. If gambling and sex are adverse reactions sign me up. Just kidding!!!
Not sure what you did, but I’d suggest that everyone, including the docs who prescribe it, start at LESS than the starter packet. Augmentation is common with any dopaminergic and it’s NOT fun. Many doctors miss it, don’t know what it looks like, and mistreat it (not that anyone agrees on how to treat it anyway).
Keep the dose as LOW as you can. Dr Buchfurer, an RLS specialist, board member of the RLS Foundation, and author about RLS, suggests starting at .125.
No question that the urges can be problematic. Hopefully you have none, it works well for you, and you can stay on it for at least a few years. Do learn about what augmentation is so that you know when to go to the doc about it, if it happens (estimates vary from 10-30% of patients get worsened RLS from the medication).