Zazzaz

If I could do a little armchair diagnosis... Sounds like you have PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Disorder) which is related to RLS. This summer, doctors published a study that shows the cause of RLS and PLMD is related to insufficient iron in the brain. The story of Dr. Connor's research is called "August 11, 2003 - Study Links Restless Legs Syndrome to Poor Iron Uptake in the Brain". The article will explain why mirapex is given to people with RLS and PLMD.

I've been taking mirapex for RLS and PLMD since last spring. It has been truly miraculous for me. I don't say this lightly - I've tried many meds to help with my sleep and fatigue, and mirapex is the first that has really helped. I have stamina for the first time in years and I feel so much better.

It comes at a price, though. When I first started taking it, it made my blood pressure drop really low. I passed out the first two nights I took it, and I got really lightheaded about 45 minutes after I took it for the next week or so. Be patient while your body is getting used to it. Once I got used to it, I noticed that I was starting to feel dramatically different and better. My limbs barely move now at night. If I forget to take a dose, however, I feel really exhausted the next day.

The other downside is that it makes me (and a lot of others who take it) SEVERELY nauseated. I had to cut back my dose because it was making me vomit every morning and I was nauseated all day and night. I cut back from 0.75 mg each night to 0.50 mg, which is my current dose. Cutting back helped, although if I take it past 9pm, or if I don't snack every 3 hours or so, I get really nauseated again.

If nausea is a problem, take it with a little food, eat things with ginger in them (candied ginger, real ginger ale, ginger tea, ginger capsules, they all help with nausea), and don't let your stomache stay empty for too long. Sometimes I even need to eat a few saltines during the middle of the night if the nausea is getting bad.

Frankly, the nasty side effects are not enough to make me stop taking it - it's been too helpful in other ways. There is no way I would stop taking it, because before I started on it, I never slept properly.

If it's not as helpful to you as it has been for me, there are several other related meds you can try. Also, ask your doctor if your blood ferratin levels are above 50. If they are lower than that, taking iron might help.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions about it. Best of luck and sweet dreams. ~ Z