Pramipexole and Memory Loss: What Users Say

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 6, 2017

Pramipexole for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have had RLS for years. I dealt with it for a long while until it started doing it during the day and started creeping into my arms. Got put on Mirapex to attempt to control it. It was the most awful thing I've ever taken. Lost huge chunks of memory, couldn't keep up with conversations, hallucinations, and major insomnia. I couldn't sleep before, but to be given a 'wonder drug' and have it exacerbate the situation was beyond bearable. No thanks."

• DCM...
• February 13, 2017

For Restless Legs Syndrome "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..."

• ste...
• September 17, 2010

Pramipexole for Restless Legs Syndrome "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."

• Res...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2017

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I started on a low dose. It did nothing. My neurologist gave it to me after ropinirole didn't work. After only a week, I did start to get urges to spend. I bought some art (luckily on finance, and it was a decent investment, but not normally a purchase I'd make), and I started to do crazy spontaneous things - it was quite fun, but also a bit scary as I was a bit out of control. I had to double the dose as it didn't touch the sides for my restless legs. Even the double dose only helped slightly. I would still wake up at 2 am with the urge to move. It was better than having nothing, but still not good enough to help me get a good night's sleep. It gave me terrible short-term memory loss and brain fog."

• Pse...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 12, 2022

For Restless Legs Syndrome "My mother was prescribed pramipexole for RLS. They have pretty much destroyed her life. The side effects of these little poison pills are not worth it for RLS. My mother is only in her sixties, but since taking these, she seems more like she's in her nineties. She falls asleep all the time (during conversations, in between mouthfuls of food while eating, etc.). She can't hold her head up straight anymore (almost like a hunchback). She can't sit straight anymore (always leans to the side), has memory problems, and is often confused. Avoid these things like the plague."

• Nor...
• June 28, 2021

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have had Restless Leg Syndrome for over 30 years. I have tried all medications available, and they all get to a point where they just don't work anymore! I am currently taking (3) Pramipexole 0.25 mg, (3) Cyclobenzaprine 5 mg, and (2) Clonazepam 1 mg to stop the RLS and help with sleeping. I also have sleep apnea but cannot wear anything on my face. The RLS is coming on during the day now and starting to go to my arms! I am exhausted constantly and have fallen asleep driving recently. I have short-term memory loss and am very disorganized! I'm thinking of dropping the Cyclobenzaprine and asking for an increase for the Pramipexole. I saw info from Johns Hopkins that says they are trying methadone and it is working. I have called, emailed, and requested an appointment but no response? I have beaten my legs, tried putting them to sleep by sitting on them, tried CBD oils, and even smoked weed. Nothing is helping!!! Can't take too much more!"

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2020

For Restless Legs Syndrome "I have been on pramipexole for 6 weeks now. It worked almost immediately for my restless legs and helped with my insomnia. The only side effects I'm having are a fuzzy head the next day, forgetfulness, dizziness now and again, and tiredness in the day sometimes. I'm weighing this up against the insomnia and the restless legs."