addiction? - Restless Leg Syndrome Message Board

Restless in a small town · 06-16-2001, 04:43 PM

I take 0125 mg Mirapex for RLS with controls the symptoms but I cannot sleep. I have taken either Ambien 5 mg. or Klonapin 1 mg. (never at the same time) for about 1 year. Now I read that I am probably addicted...I'm afraid to try to quit and afraid to continue. Any ideas?

vickie valentino · 06-16-2001, 07:29 PM

i have been taking ambien for several years. although sleeping pills can be addictive, Ambien in my opinion is probably the safest one.i take it every night 10-20mgs. i was on the verge of a nervous breakdown from lack of sleep before i started taking ambien. klonopin is the one drug i would be leary of. It is very addictive and can cause pshycological problems if it builds up in your blood stream. klonopin was wonderful in controling my rls symptoms, but it sent me into a severe depression. i ended up in the hospital for weeks. It took shock therapy to get me back to the sane person I am today. I suggest keep taking the mirapex and ambien. Rls so far has no cure so I wouldn't worry about addiction, just get a good nights sleep.

Restless in a small town · 06-17-2001, 12:18 PM

Thanks for the info. I have heard that Ambien is safer too but even with insurance, it is very expensive (my insurance will only
pay for 14 10mg. tabs every 34 days and this is $18.) I can't imagine what it would be without insurance.....

Baglady · 06-18-2001, 11:00 AM

I was diagnosed with RLS some 5 years ago, and believe I have finally found the combination I need to do what seems the simplest of things - get a good nights sleep. I've used lortab (NO - waaaay too strong, couldn't wake up for in excess of 12 hours), xanax (made me the evil woman incanate), ambien (utter waste of time, didn't get me to sleep, or keep me asleep - up every 40 minutes). The fear of klonopins addictive qualities have eased some, after two years of consistent use we substituted ambien. No signs of addiction!!! However, the impact on my libido has been very negative, and depression has become an issue (probably connected). I have also begun a course of welbutrin to ease those side effects. I will keep you posted, if you wish, but after one week (early I know) it seems it may well be the answer. I allegedly have one of the more severe cases of RLS my physician has seen. Without the klonopin I was also getting 'break through' in the afternoons with the 'spastic' leg jumping and hand snapping.

Restless in a small town · 06-18-2001, 05:53 PM

Hey, Glad to hear that someone has taken Klonopin without growing hair on their face and howling at the moon. It has worked very well for me but so has the Ambein. So far, only my legs are jerking, at that at night, so I know I am better off than you and others who have other parts of their bodies involved...but it's still no fun.. The Ambein is very expensive here. My insurance will on pay for 14 (10 mg.)every 34 days. so I run out of medicine before I run out of month. Is this true for you also? Klonopin is cheap.