Pramipexole for Restless Legs Syndrome User Reviews (Page 3)

• Bub...
• April 18, 2015

Pramipexole "Have had RLS since I was 10 years old (now 62 yrs old). In my 20's, RLS really started causing me problems. I have had different types of medications, dosages, and combinations. My doctor put me on 0.5 mg Mirapex three times a day. Usually only take it twice, afternoon and bedtime, unless I am having a bad day of RLS. Mirapex has been fantastic for me. If I am very active during the day, I take a pill in the morning. Never experienced side effects. Some evenings the RLS stays active, I get up, take a 15-minute hot bath, back to bed. This seems to resolve this problem. Every nerve in my body now becomes unnerved for about 5 to 30 minutes after taking Mirapex. My neurologist said the RLS is a problem since I have had RLS for over 50 years."

• Bos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2015

Pramipexole "I'm writing from the UK! The main difference is that all our medication is free for over 65s and some others. I've been on Co-codamol (apologies, iPad won't let me spell this correctly), Tramadol, and Gabapentin. My restlessness has been getting worse and worse for years, and a couple of weeks ago, I kicked a hole in my bed sheet during the night. So, a few days ago, I saw my GP, and he stopped the Tramadol (I'd been tolerating it well), and last night I took my first Mirapex. Oh, what a horrible experience! I felt dreadfully ill during the night, and when I got up this morning, I felt as if I had the flu. I was dizzy, sneezy, and in a cold sweat. Now I'm not sure whether to continue - maybe the side effects will settle."

• Anonymous
• January 1, 2011

Pramipexole "I've had restless leg syndrome for about 15 years and have tried several medications. Gabapentin worked most nights, but left me practically catatonic the next day. Klonopin did nothing to help my symptoms. Requip made me feel like I was going insane and really scared me. I gave Mirapex a high rating because it has completely eliminated all my symptoms. Unfortunately, I have severe nasal congestion as a side effect, which also keeps me up all night. If I don't take it, I can breathe, but my legs are jumping and jerking all night. If I do take it, my nose feels like it's filled with cement. Either way, I can't sleep. I guess it's back to the doctor to try something else."

• Anonymous
• September 1, 2011

Pramipexole "I have had restless leg syndrome all my life. I can remember when I was about 5 or 6 telling my mom my feet tickle... didn't know how else to explain it at that age. Today I am 39 years old and am only alive because of Mirapex. My RLS has become so severe that without this medication I would not sleep. One time I was without my medication and was up for 3 days straight. Ended up in the emergency room many times when I didn't have any medication just to get some form of relief. I currently take Mirapex 1 mg at night, but sometimes will have to take a half during the day. My RLS will bother me mid-afternoon at times and when it's really bad will go into my hands and forearms. I am eternally grateful for Mirapex despite the side effects of nausea, tired, and weak."

• Coo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 12, 2020

"I have taken pramipexole for RLS for at least seven years. It is still very effective for treating my RLS. I am taking 0.63 mg per day. No noticeable side effects. Without it, I get no sleep at all as my legs are moving constantly all night."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 4, 2014

"I've dealt with 10+ years of restless legs and arms to the point I'd be in tears and have actually fallen out of my king-sized bed. After trials of numerous medications (Ambien, Lunesta, levetiracetam, tranquilizers, mega vitamins) and months of little to no sleep, I went begging for help to my GP. I was desperate at that point. With nothing else to try, he sent me to a neurologist who specialized in sleep disorders and RLS. She started me on melatonin 1 mg at 6 PM, 5 mg at sleep along with pramipexole 0.25 mg in the late afternoon if needed and 0.5 mg at 9 PM. WOW. Within one week, I was getting far more sleep than I've seen in at least 2 years."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2013

Pramipexole "Delighted to hear others have benefited by taking Mirapex, I have had very mixed results. It certainly has alleviated my symptoms connected with Restless Legs Syndrome. But the relief came with a price. I became so nauseated that I was up all night, so after three nights I had to stop taking the medicine. I found Percocet the ideal replacement."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2008

Pramipexole "Mirapex is a godsend. Before Mirapex, sleep was non-existent unless I took a sleeping pill. Now I get peaceful night's sleep. The only drawback is, it's expensive, and insurance barely covers any of the cost. But I can't live without it."

• Mr ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 13, 2020

"I was on pramipexole for about eight months with no side effects. However, in the beginning, I had two or three nights where the RLS seemed to be waning, but it soon came back. My doctor increased the dosage twice, but the RLS did not get any better. After eight months with no results, I gradually came off the medication. As soon as I stopped it, my RLS came back with a vengeance. I'm now getting it in the mornings, which I never did before. I'm getting it in my hands as well as my legs and feet, which I very rarely got before. It is ten times worse in intensity, and I now have difficulty getting and maintaining an erection, something which I had no problem doing until I stopped the pramipexole."

• I...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 4, 2016

"I am a 12-year survivor of Mirapex/Pramipexole. It was a miracle to begin with. I only slept about 4 hours a night but had enormous energy and never tired. That lasted nine years. But during that time, I lost bladder control, impulse disorders, loss of concentration, myalgia, neuropathy, falling asleep while driving, many more, and augmentation. I was on 0.5 mg. Detoxing med-free from this med was horrendous! After detox, most of the side effects cleared up. But I still have issues with memory and concentration. This is the only med I took on a regular basis as my health was good. I'm still suffering the side effects of the withdrawal from it. Studies should be for longer than 12 weeks."

• kas...
• March 17, 2009

Pramipexole "I took Mirapex for moderate RLS for about a year, and it worked like a charm. Then I began to develop side effects bad enough to force me to quit. Eventually, within 30 minutes of taking Mirapex at night, I would experience severe nausea and vomiting that would last for hours."

• hv2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2015

Pramipexole "I was taking Clonazepam, then my doc suggested Pramipexole, as it is non-habit forming. It certainly took care of my restless legs, but I woke up with headaches and went to sleep with headaches. Indigestion was also a side effect, so much so that I was constantly very bloated and did not feel well for the month I took Pramipexole. The positives were that my RSL was non-existent, and I did not feel tired in the a.m. As a matter of fact, I was able to get up 2 hours earlier every day. Don't know why that happened, but it was nice to not feel so sleepy in the morning. Now I'm back on Clonazepam, and I'm not sure if I'm that happy with it this time around. Is there anything else to try?"

• Ban...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 6, 2016

"This medication destroyed my life. It did wonders for my restless legs syndrome, and I could finally sleep. It had no side effects (at least that I was aware of at the time). Now, two years later, I've filed for bankruptcy after gambling away all of my savings and assets. Before taking this medication, I had never had a problem with gambling. Beware of this medication. It can turn you into a compulsive gambler!"

• che...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 14, 2021

Pramipexole "This drug ruined my life. I augmented, now have dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS). It was great while it lasted, but not worth what may be a miserable existence for the rest of my life. I feel preyed upon by the drug company. This is no miracle. It's a curse. If you haven't started, don't. Why? Akathisia all the time in my feet. Ankles and feet always hurt and swollen. Can't sleep. Leg pain whenever I sit. I still have RLS. I've been told I'm lying by doctors who don't know all this stuff. I'm so angry. This drug stole all the enjoyment out of my life."

• gbe...
• August 10, 2015

Pramipexole "I have had RLS for 25 years, and within the past two years has gotten much more uncontrollable. Ten years ago, I took Requip for a while, but the drowsiness during the day was a bother, and the RLS wasn't much improved. Last month, I started on Mirapex, and the relief from RLS was almost immediate. I'm currently taking .250 mg, two hours before bedtime. The only bothersome side effect has been some increased urination urges during the night. I haven't noticed any problems with dizziness, but I do have occasional Benign Positional Vertigo anyway, so it certainly isn't any worse. Overall, I would say Mirapex has done the trick."

• syo...
• October 3, 2009

Pramipexole "My wife had frequent leg movements throughout the night. Mirapex immediately stopped the leg movements. She continues to take the drug daily, and restless leg syndrome has not returned. Very effective drug."

• Anonymous
• September 6, 2011

Pramipexole "Truly a godsend. You don't feel like you've run a marathon all night. Other comments are true about running out of a prescription or not taking it for a few days. You can tell! I just have one question --- if it feels like you've run a marathon all night, how come you don't wake up skinnier?"

• Anonymous
• November 5, 2009

Pramipexole "After using Mirapex for approximately a year, it slowly became less effective. Although I had been without any symptoms of RLS, I now began to experience increasing episodes of RLS. With the help of my doctor, I have used different combinations of medicines (including Mirapex) until we found the right one. It seems prolonged use of some medicines can make them less effective. Sometimes changing the regimen with professional help can keep RLS at bay."

• H6H...
• September 3, 2017

"I was prescribed this drug in April 2008 by a consultant neuro for RLS. I was not told of the side effects as my meds came in blister packs! I spent £130,000 due to compulsive shopping (yes, it is a side effect)! I was forced to set up an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), it ruined my life. I was a different person, it destroyed me. In the end, my marriage fell apart, I lost my home, £300,000.00, and my self-respect. Please, please be very careful on taking this drug, as I know I'm not the only person to suffer."

• MJC...
• March 18, 2010

Pramipexole "I have been taking Mirapex for a number of years for RLS. I originally took 0.125 mg once a day. After a few years, it was increased to 0.125 mg twice a day as my symptoms were rather severe. I have remained at the same dosage since then and have developed no side effects to the medication. I would seldom be able to sleep except for this medication."

• Ano...
• August 2, 2011

Pramipexole "I have suffered from RLS and PLMD for years. The last few years, I've been taking Sinemet, which worked great in the beginning but gradually lost its effectiveness. I was up to 3 pills a day, and the RLS was worse than ever. My neurologist just started me on Mirapex, and it is incredible. One pill at night, and I get a good night's sleep. I'm also not getting the RLS during the daytime anymore. I haven't felt this good in a long time! No side effects either."

• Mem...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 23, 2016

"This medicine is a miracle! OMG! It nearly has made my RLS disappear, only had it 2 times in 4 weeks since I have been on it! Before, I was getting RLS around 2-3 times a day! I couldn't go to a movie or sit to watch TV, car rides were miserable. Since being on this medication, I have been to a movie and 3 concerts without RLS! I have tried Requip and Gabapentin, and neither of those worked. I am so happy with this med! I take 0.50 once a day at night. I think the reason I have had RLS the 2 times in these 4 weeks is that I didn't take it at the same time those 2 nights, I took it later than usual! All in all, I am very happy with this, I am taking the generic."

• jds...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 16, 2013

"I had suffered from restless legs syndrome periodically for many years. Then, suddenly, I was getting RLS every night. The weird thing, to me, is that I also had the feelings in my arms, but certainly not as frequently as the legs. After weeks of trying to reposition my legs, ignoring it (impossible!), I finally went to my doctor. I took my first dose that night, and haven't had symptoms ever since. I read up on the long-term usage and am a little concerned about it. I'll cross that bridge if and when I cross it."

• Ric...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2019

"Suffered undiagnosed sleep disorder for 20+ years. Light, poor-quality sleep. I sleep so soundly now that I need to put my alarm on for the mornings. Spouse says that she has never seen such a dramatic change in my sleep quality."

• DCM...
• February 13, 2017

"I wanted to cut my legs off. I was willing to sit in a wheelchair for the rest of my life versus living with the agony from RLS, which at the time felt like I was telling my doctor a fib. When Mirapex came to Canada, I went straight to him and said, put me on this NOW. I would go weeks without any half-decent sleep, if any at all. Now, if I don't take my 3.50 mg a day, I know it. BUT I also just (today) got out of the hospital from the psych ward, third time. Each time has gotten worse. Suicide, uncontrollable actions, grandiose ideas, lack of sleep, and not from RLS, heart palpitations, eyesight blurry, confusion, short memory, forgetfulness... and of course, compulsive gambling/shopping! SOMETHING ELSE HAS TO WORK! now..."