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I'm 25 and I've been on Sinemet for almost 4 years now. My doctor initially perscribed me the lowest available dose to be taken once before bed time. This helped me get most of the way through the night but really only made things worse during the day after it was completely worn off. Since then I've upped my dosage twice, and am now taking the lowest dose (sorry, can't remember the dosage off the top of my head) three times a day (lunch, dinner, and before bed).
This does a good job of keeping me comfortable, but I still occassionally get restless in the morning - and I've found it completely useless to try and sleep if my kids wake me up after 6:00 or so, as my legs just won't let me get back to sleep.
My concern is this: I'm only 25 - and I've already upped my dose twice since I've been diagnosed. I've already noticed that things are a LOT worse when I miss a dose (I now get restless ARMS where I never had before)...so I'm interested in others' opinions of alternative medications.
I've taken hydrocodone for pain medication before and found it worked beautifully without completely knocking me for a loop - but finding a doctor to prescribe that now seems near impossible. I've also heard that marijuana helps some people - but the few times I've tried it, I've just been more restless (though in a different way?). How has Mirapex and/or Requip compared to sinemet for those of you who have taken both? Is there a valid reason for wanting to get off Sinemet or am I just being paranoid?
My average night, even now, typically consists of going to bed between 12:00 and 1:00 and waking up between 6:00 and 6:30. I'd like to sleep more, but I don't seem to be able to (my 4 year old and 2 year old, admittedly, have a lot to do with that). I guess I'd just like to be able to go back to sleep on the weekends without lying there, twitching in bed, wishing that I could just relax. I also don't want to get to a point 10 years from now where I can't increase my Sinemet dosage and find out that all the drugs I've been taking to improve my dopamine absorbtion have completely impared by body's ability to absorbe dopamine on its own.
Any recommendations?
Posts: 3 | From: Lincoln, NE | Registered: Sep 2005
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I've been on both and now take mirapex although I find Klonopin works much better. Something like the Hydrocodone - which I also found to work great.
Make the switch. It's worth it. BTW, do you take any antidepressant?
Posts: 30 | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by RestlessInTexas: I've been on both and now take mirapex although I find Klonopin works much better. Something like the Hydrocodone - which I also found to work great.
Make the switch. It's worth it. BTW, do you take any antidepressant?
I'm not on any other medication. I find most medications (such as benedryl) make things worse. Currently I'm on 25/100 Sinemet 3x a day, and that's it.
Posts: 3 | From: Lincoln, NE | Registered: Sep 2005
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Hi: You're so young to have this so bad and you probably know that pregnancy and menopause will make it all worse (sorry). I am SO down on Sinemet and feel like we're being used as guinea pigs. Sinemet has a "rebound" effect in 85% of those who take it. That means you might get some sleep, but the next day it comes back worse than you've ever had it. I would go to another doctor -- bear in mind that you know as much as they do -- and get off the Sinemet and start trying Mirapex or Requip. Good luck to you.
Posts: 32 | From: Denver, CO | Registered: Apr 2005
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I take Mirapex every night and some times early evening. It works great for me. Can't sleep without it.
Posts: 6 | Registered: Oct 2005
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Well, I thought I'd give an update on this. I started taking Requip about two months ago and stopped taking sinemet completely. The first few days were a little rough and things seemed to even out. However, recently I've noticed that I'm feeling really worn out by about 6 or 7 (I usually take requip with dinner so I guess about an hour or so after I take it). I've been sick off-and-on lately, so I don't know if it's related to that...but it's getting to the point where I can't stand it. I try to go out with my wife on the weekends and I'm totally dull because I feel tired and/or just don't feel right. It seems to control my RLS symptoms better (i.e. I'm only taking one pill for 24 hours, vs. 3 times on sinemet), but I can't have this drowsiness at night.
I've been thinking about requesting opioids from my doctor as an alternative to the Requip (or a suplement possibly). In the past I've found this works beautifully...probably a combination of reducing the symptoms and the natural euphoric effect. As someone said earlier in this thread, I do know more about RLS and its treatments than my doctor (and he admits this), but I don't want him thinking I'm pining for drugs for recreational purposes. I had to call him back twice to get him to perscribe cough syrup with codeine when I had a bad sore throat/cough. I'm wondering if I should be seeking help from a neurologist...but considering I'm in a relatively small city (Lincoln, Nebraska) I don't know that they'd be of any more help.
Posts: 3 | From: Lincoln, NE | Registered: Sep 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Josh: I'm 25 and I've been on Sinemet for almost 4 years now. My doctor initially perscribed me the lowest available dose to be taken once before bed time. This helped me get most of the way through the night but really only made things worse during the day after it was completely worn off. Since then I've upped my dosage twice, and am now taking the lowest dose (sorry, can't remember the dosage off the top of my head) three times a day (lunch, dinner, and before bed).
This does a good job of keeping me comfortable, but I still occassionally get restless in the morning - and I've found it completely useless to try and sleep if my kids wake me up after 6:00 or so, as my legs just won't let me get back to sleep.
My concern is this: I'm only 25 - and I've already upped my dose twice since I've been diagnosed. I've already noticed that things are a LOT worse when I miss a dose (I now get restless ARMS where I never had before)...so I'm interested in others' opinions of alternative medications.
I've taken hydrocodone for pain medication before and found it worked beautifully without completely knocking me for a loop - but finding a doctor to prescribe that now seems near impossible. I've also heard that marijuana helps some people - but the few times I've tried it, I've just been more restless (though in a different way?). How has Mirapex and/or Requip compared to sinemet for those of you who have taken both? Is there a valid reason for wanting to get off Sinemet or am I just being paranoid?
My average night, even now, typically consists of going to bed between 12:00 and 1:00 and waking up between 6:00 and 6:30. I'd like to sleep more, but I don't seem to be able to (my 4 year old and 2 year old, admittedly, have a lot to do with that). I guess I'd just like to be able to go back to sleep on the weekends without lying there, twitching in bed, wishing that I could just relax. I also don't want to get to a point 10 years from now where I can't increase my Sinemet dosage and find out that all the drugs I've been taking to improve my dopamine absorbtion have completely impared by body's ability to absorbe dopamine on its own.
Any recommendations?
I have been taking Requip for two months at .25Mg. It is the only thing that helped me! I have tried Carbidopa, Clonazepam, Klonopin, dozens of sleep drugs and huge amounts of vitamins including iron, magnesium, vitamin B, C & E and Requip was the only thing that settled my legs down at night. However, I take a dose of clonazepam with it because that helps me to sleep. Another however, when I did not take the medicine the RLS seemed worse and more profound. For now I am going to keep using Requip but will be looking for something alternative to wean myself off these.
-------------------- We Only Go Around Once! This Is Not A Dress Rehearsal! Live Life To The Fullest And Have Fun! Posts: 6 | From: Felton, Ca/ Cleveland ,Oh | Registered: Nov 2005
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I have RLS and my Dr. doesn`t know a thing about it.I have discovered this on my own by reading the internet and I have all the symptoms and have had them for 12 yrs.I have had both ankle`s operated on.To relieve the pain.No help and was told to live with the pain.I have had pain for 10 yrs. in my shoulder and had surgery.They found bone spurs,but why is the pain still there,7 months after the surgery.I have been on all types of pain medication,due to the surgery`s.My Dr. states I have arthritis,with none of the symptoms other than the pain,but its like electricity going up my legs.OXYCOTON liked to have killed me due to withdrawal,really bad.Iam now on the duragesic patch every 2 days and lunesta for sleep.I am free of the pain and the jerking of my legs,but Iam being sent to a pain clinic to find a drug that is not addicting,but will keep me pain free.Several Doctors have admitted they no nothing about RLS.Iam afraid to tell them due to your horror stories on the meds to treat RLS Pat
Posts: 2 | From: Dayton,Ohio | Registered: Dec 2005
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