Pramipexole for Restless Legs Syndrome User Reviews (Page 4)

• waz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 4, 2015

Pramipexole "I have had RLS since I went through my last growing spurt at the age of 14. I am now 35 and have tried every over-the-counter drug, herb, and supplement known to man. Nothing helped. I tried Mirapex, and though it did not always fully work, it worked sometimes, and if you have RLS, you know that sometimes is pretty awesome. I started taking tramadol for back pain, and for the last year, my RLS is completely gone. The only problem is that tramadol was like taking cold medicine and downright horrible most days, and the withdrawal can be life-threatening, in my opinion. As we all know, any opiate taken right before bed completely cures RLS. But if you stop taking it, your RLS will be 100 times worse, of course, the time spent sleeping is worth 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."

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2010

Pramipexole "After suffering from RLS for over 30 years and trying numerous medications, to include Quinine Sulfate, this WORKS. Loss of sleep has diminished, as well as the attitude to go along with it. I can't believe that after all the doctors I saw, this one diagnosed it without me telling him. I was sitting in the office, and my legs were jumping. That afternoon, I tried the Mirapex, and presto, problem solved. No side effects I know of, dose is 0.5 mg 2x per day, some days not needed. What a relief."

• ste...
• September 17, 2010

Pramipexole "Military doctors originally put me on Klonopin for my restless leg syndrome. The medication was a total godsend! My only noticeable side effect was dizziness if I stood up too fast. Once we retired from the Army, however, new doctor, new medicines. I got stuck with a neurologist with a 'complex,' who told me I could take Mirapex and have nerve damage testing, or I could just have the nerve testing and go without. Great. So I took the Mirapex. Over about six weeks, I've gained weight (not normal for me), forgotten LARGE amounts of things. I sleep LOUSY and still have the 'twitches.' The doctor finally listened and put me back on Klonopin but didn't warn me about switching from one to the other. I've now been awake for over 24 hours, only catnapping in 15-minute increments."

• Anonymous
• January 5, 2010

Pramipexole "I have had disruptive RLS for all of my life. A couple of years ago, it got intolerable. I tried Requip first, but it made me exceptionally tired the next day. Mirapex works quite well, allows me to not move and get agitated, and I feel fine the next day."

• Pea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 16, 2015

"Pramipexole has changed my life! I have suffered with restless legs syndrome since I was about 25 years old, and I am now 78. After starting this medication, I have been able to get a good, full night's sleep. As a result of sleeping well, I have a lot more daytime energy. I occasionally have bouts of RLS, but with the consent of my doctor, just increasing the dosage for a few days will get me through these episodes. Sometimes I don't increase the dosage during one of these episodes but take a hot bath, which helps. When I have been without the meds for a couple of days, not even a hot bath will help. This has been a WONDERFUL medicine for me. It literally has made my life full again."

• Reo...
• September 8, 2015

"I have taken Mirapex an average of 4 nights per week for about 11 months. I have no restless leg when I take it at least an hour or so before the usual onset (for me, bedtime). I am so very happy to have found such a simple cure to something that has plagued me and caused me problems for thirty years. Now I can even travel in an airplane or car in the evening and at night with no restless legs...a huge change for me. I am thrilled. I love it. I have not noticed any side effects."

• blo...
• December 13, 2010

Pramipexole "I agree with it working. I had Rest Legs Syndrome and didn't sleep well for a month. After being put on other medicines that didn't work, the doctor decided to give me Mirapex. Oh my. I sleep every night and wake very clear and not groggy. I truly do not know where I would be if it weren't for this medication."

• KAT...
• October 25, 2008

Pramipexole "I have been using Mirapex for almost a year now. Before that, I used Requip. I take a half dose twice a day. A single dose a day does not make 24 hours. This makes 12-hour shift work tolerable as far as the RLS."

• Che...
• November 22, 2019

"I have been on pramipexole, generic for Mirapex, for about 15 years. The only side effect is a bit of drowsiness now and again. I am very pleased with how this medication works. Previous doctors have had me on drugs that would push my RLS even harder as the drug wore off. Now my new general practitioner wants me to try extra iron, magnesium, and zinc to see if that can replace taking this drug. Trying that, but I am happy to stay on Mirapex because it works for me!"

• Var...
• June 28, 2009

Pramipexole "I have a 90-year-old home care patient who was started on Mirapex 4 days ago. She suffered with restless leg syndrome and leg cramping nightly. She informed me that since starting this medicine, she has felt great and slept soundly for the first time in years."

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 1, 2020

"I have been on pramipexole for about 3 years, starting out at one half of .25 mg tablet. Soon that did not work, and I had to increase it to .25 mg and then .50 mg. This drug definitely helps my RLS, but I cannot take it. I have gained almost 30 lbs, and I have not changed my diet. My restless legs are generated from my antidepressants and low iron ferritin. I have now decided to get off the antidepressant, even though it helps me a lot, but I cannot tolerate the RLS anymore. I know my road to feeling better will be difficult, but I've got to do it."

• aks...
• September 28, 2017

"Pramipexole can cause fainting. I had been quite pleased with the effects of pramipexole during the 3 months I had been on it. However, for about 3-4 weeks prior to my hospitalization, I just felt out of sorts. I began to notice a feeling of being lightheaded. One morning I bounced out of bed - standing up too quickly - and woke up a few moments later having fallen against a wall. I didn't enjoy the resultant scrapes. (Neither did the wall.) After a visit to the ER followed by two days of very impressive detective work, the very fine doctors informed me that pramipexole - also known as Mirapex - was the culprit. Take this drug seriously. It works quite well but at a potential cost. Hope this benefits you all."

• Kev...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 31, 2018

"Pramipexole works well, but the only negative I would mention is, in my experience, it takes 90-120 minutes to take effect. This can become VERY frustrating if I feel the RLS becoming active and I haven't taken my medication yet. It can be a long time before I feel any relief!"

• Twi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 2, 2020

Pramipexole "I have been on Mirapex for a year. Dr. put me on Gabapentin for fibromyalgia pain. It also says that it works for RLS. I found out the hard way when I forgot to refill my Mirapex that Gabapentin didn't work for my RLS. My leg twitched and jerked all night."

• ECa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2020

"I took pramipexole for 9 days. It made me drowsy, dizzy, and very hungry. And it didn't help my leg twitching. My doctor told me I could stop taking it, so I haven't for 3 days, and I'm still unusually hungry."

• klb...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 14, 2016

"I have been on this medication for more than 10 years and have great control with the Glenmark Generics pill. Yet when the pharmacy changed to the purple pill by Zydus Pharmaceuticals, I found my legs were once again out of control. I asked the pharmacist to change me back to the one from Glenmark. He did, and it worked almost immediately. Has anyone else noticed the difference?"

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2011

Pramipexole "I have never had any side effects to the Mirapex, but I have all of a sudden started having a gambling problem at the age of 47. It is listed as a side effect, and I wonder if it is the medicine contributing. Requip has the same side effect listed. I have to take it for my restless legs syndrome, or I cannot sleep."

• Anonymous
• August 20, 2010

Pramipexole "My doctor prescribed Mirapex for my Restless Legs Syndrome, and it made me extremely sick! I couldn't even get out of my bed for almost 24 hours and felt like a train wreck! I went back to Sinemet, and it works great and is very inexpensive with my insurance."

• Jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 11, 2019

"The first and only night I took pramipexole for RLS was so bad. I went to bed immediately after taking it. I get nervous taking new meds, so I thought I could just sleep through any mild side effects. I woke up 2 hours later with nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, and weakness. My boyfriend found me on the floor having extreme muscle spasms. He thought I was seizing. I spent the rest of the night sweating and weak. I’m not saying it doesn’t work for others, just be very cautious, make sure someone is home with you when you take it for the first time."

• TMH...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2023

Pramipexole "I have had mild RLS for about 20 years. But over the past 6 months, it's increased to the point of symptoms most nights. I was exhausted and sleep-deprived, so the doctor prescribed Mirapex. It does work very well to control the RLS, but I have been struggling with overeating! I have gained 6 lbs this month. I would describe it as almost not realizing how much I'm eating, not feeling full or satisfied, and eating though I'm not hungry. Feeling compelled, if that makes sense. Right now, I don't want to stop the Mirapex because it works so well for the RLS, and I don't have any other side effects or problems, just overeating. I'll likely see what the doctor suggests and check out forums for some advice. My advice is, if you want to try this drug, realize that you might get some behavioral side effects and have your family be aware it might be a possibility so it doesn't get out of hand."

• gre...
• March 11, 2010

Pramipexole "This has really helped me. I have had RLS all my life, off and on. The RLS is worse now, I am 74 years old. I have been on it almost a year. I believe I may be getting some side effects lately. I am so tired and can't seem to think straight sometimes. I realize that could be from other things, but I am going to talk to my doctor on my next visit. It is a godsend if you haven't slept for nights."

• oll...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2025

"I have suffered from Restless Leg Syndrome since the age of 14, now I am 65. Mine has always been accompanied by fibromyalgia in my legs, which in addition to RLS would ache deeply to the bone. I was put on amitriptyline for over 30 years, which helped at the beginning but quickly stopped working. I suffered greatly, and life was hell. A year ago, I asked my doctor for gabapentin, but she put me on pramipexole instead. At the first dose, I got so sick to my stomach and dizzy that I stopped taking it. I continued to suffer, so I tried taking it again. The first few days were rough with the nausea and dizziness, but I kept taking it until those side effects stopped, and for the first time in 51 years, my legs were calm!! It was truly a miracle. Side effects now are just constipation and sleep disturbance from having to urinate often, but it's worth it. My dose had to be increased to 1 mg, but it's still doing its job. This drug has saved my life."

• lei...
• December 27, 2009

Pramipexole "I had RLS in the evening and while sleeping for years. Finally brought it up with my doctor. I now take 0.25 mg Mirapex morning and evening. It works for me. If I run out for a couple of days, the restless legs and fidgeties come right back. No negative side effects that I know of."

• Jay...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 30, 2018

"This works for a few years. If you die within this time, it works for you. However, if you live, you will regret all you took. The stories here should help you to take something else. I developed OCD, I was not able to get out of the house. I had to wash or move things all day."