Suffering Side Effects from Mirapex for Restless Legs

I have had great success with leg cramps using V-8 juice that I read about on this site. I have a small juice glass of V-8 everyday. No longer wake up with leg cramps.

My husband had RLS. He didn't suffer so much from leg pain or cramps, he was just being driven crazy by his whole body, but especially his legs, itching him all night preventing him from sleeping. He would sometimes cause himself to bleed he itched so much in one spot.

When he told our doctor this the doctor immediately ordered a blood test for iron deficiency and recommended he take over-the-counter ferrous sulfate (two 325mg per day) until his itchiness went away, then one per day after that.

Well of course the test came back positive, he was dangerously low on iron in his blood and the iron pills worked miracles. His nightly battle with itchy legs completely went away and has not returned.

I've been taking 1 calcium (1070 mg, and one in the morning), 3 potassium (99mg)1 magnesium (250 mg) every night with Metamucil. It has cut down considerably my screaming leg cramps. I no longer feel restless leg syndrome. The soap didn't work for me. I hope this works for you.
Angela

My neurologist told me that RLS is tied to B12 levels as well as a low Ferritin level. I also have RLS and it has been greatly reduced by iron supplementation. Your iron level may appear fine but ask to be tested specifically for your Ferritin level - if it is low you will still need to supplement to get it up and keep it where it should be. I also recommend seeing an MD who also specializes in Functional Medicine.

RLS can also be caused by anemia or low blood iron. Check it out.

I have had Restless legs on and off for the last 40 years. Tiredness was the worst thing but since having soap at the bottom of the bed for the last five years, I haven't had a problem. I also have a piece of soap wrapped up in tissue which I put in my pocket if I find that my legs won't keep still in the evenings. It works every time for me.

I take a very tiny dose of Mirapex.- maybe a half or quarter of a the smallest dose along with 7mg. of temazepam. I think drs. prescribe way too much for RLS. I am surprised they do. I would love to get off all drugs but my body is addicted. I wish I never took any. I was up all night walking when I didn't take anything. It was torture. If anyone has a suggestion I would love to hear. You do not itch with RLS or have cramps. That is not RLS

To my understanding, leg cramps are not part of RLS so perhaps we are talking about two different issues here I think. RLS symptoms are literally legs that are restless when at rest. You would feel like you cannot stop moving your legs when you lay down, they get very uncomfortable and feel like ants crawling on your legs, usually causing a loss of sleep. This condition is tied somehow to B12 and Ferritin deficiencies and my neurologist tells me that is a known fact.

Please ask your neurologist to test you for those - if he/she won't then I would find a new one! Vitamin D and other nutrient deficiencies can also surely cause leg pains and cramping but again probably not actual RLS. In any case, some lab work and good nutritional supplements would probably help address any of the nutrient deficiencies which may also alleviate symptoms.

Unfortunately, on top of RLS, I also developed polyneuropathy (pins and needles and burning, serious pain) so other more severe symptoms, may mean another condition on top of RLS which would require a different medication for nerve pain. Gabapentin helps nerve pain and is also used for RLS. I've been using that with great success.

The soap trick seems to be working for me. Cramps happen much less frequently and less severely.

My son has been diagnosed with RLS. He was first prescribed ReQuip, which was not very effective. Then he was prescribed Mirapex. The drug eases his symptoms of "creepy, crawly" sensations in his legs while trying to rest. But, the side
effects are destroying him! He has been using cocaine and has unrelenting sexual urges.

Is there an alternative to Mirapex that would relieve his symptoms, without all of
these side effects?

Ok, I have RLS, and the symptoms are and include, legs jumping when sitting or lying down, or even when driving. Usually it is every night, but mostly when extra tired.

mirapex is affecting my feet and ankles. they are very dark and swollen as well as creating neuropathy in my feet to where I am scared I will be unable to walk in the near future. My neurologist just keeps throwing pills at me and I am unwilling to take them.

I have been on Mirapex almost 2 years with gradual increase from l25 mg to present dosage of 1 mg 2 x daily. He wants to put me on Sinemet w/ ldopa which I refuse to risk getting the side effects of drooling, muscle jerking and flailing around whcih happens to persons w/ Parkinson. My friend suggested that I take 1 tsp of Bicarbonate of soda pure and drink it with an 8 oz glass of water. any suggestions will be gratefully appreciated.

Last month I had major blood screens done and all are good ruling out diabetes, liver problems and thyroid problems. My B12 is supposedly very high (due to taking daily doses of 1200mcg .

I agree with you that itching and pain are not symptoms of RLS. I've had it for years and it is not on and off. If I forget to take my Mirapex one night or if I forget to take it until late at night, I'm up walking around, or exercising my legs. I wonder if I've become addicted; but it works well without any side effects, so I'm reluctant to stop using it.

I would welcome other ideas as well. I do take iron supplements because I have low levels otherwise; without the iron supplement, I cannot donate blood. Soap in the bed one night when I did forget to take my pill early did not help at all.

I agree rls is a straining aching awful feeling. I tried to stop the pramipexzole but I just ended up walking the floors all night which didn't help my rheumatoid arthritis. I have only had one side affect from the pills and that's a bit of brain confusion. It's not easy people don't understand, I am one of four kids and I am the only one that suffers with these things. But I suppose there are people with worse than us. Take care to all of you.