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Medical marijuana and restless leg syndrome

Posted by kilnaboy74 @kilnaboy74, Aug 9, 2021

Are there any credible unbiased studies available that address the short and long term affects of medical marijuana on sleep issues, including Restless Leg Syndrome? My RLS is severe. Prescription pramipexole no longer controlled my RLS. Adding THC and CBD oil in the past 2 weeks has completely eliminated my RLS for the first time in 12 years. Will it do so long term and will I experience side effects? Any research is welcomed.

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vikkitennis | @vikkitennis | Jun 27 9:17am
In reply to @missjb "Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist---this type of medication (I understand) works well until it doesn't and..." + (show)
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Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist---this type of medication (I understand) works well until it doesn't and leads to augmentation (worsening of symptoms and the medication not working at all). I'm curious how long you have been taking this drug, rjjb? My doctors says dopamine agonists ALWAYS leads to augmentation---but I wonder if that is true across the board. I would appreciate hearing your experience. I recently got a Nidra device from Noctrix company which helps a lot when my symptoms are mild to moderate. Noctrix is a California based Company and the device was paid for by Medicare. When my symptoms are really bad, nothing works. I've been taking buprenorphine for about a year and 9 months. It's been helpful. Each night is very different and most of the time I can't see "cause and effect" from what I have done during the day. I quit sugar for a several months a few years ago, but that made no difference for me. RLS is a weird malady and from reading posting it seems our experiences can be quite different. Gabapentin and Iron IV didn't help me at all. It's heartwarming to read that some treatment is successful. This is not an easy row to hoe. Having a knowledgeable doctor is key, I think. Best to you!

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I agree with the previous post: be wary of pramipexole: it will lead to augmentation, and then your doctor or neurologist will ask you to take a “drug holidays”, where you taper off and stop, cold turkey. Terrible experience, and I feel for those who are in this process.
Buprenorphine is the only medication that has helped me. Thank goodness for the sleep specialist at Mayo!

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missjb | @missjb | Jun 27 11:48am

Yes, vikkitennis! A doctor who isn't an expert can lead to a lot of misery. I was fortunate because I read Dr Early's website (JohnsHopkins in Baltimore) and refused when my primary doctor tried to prescribe Requip. Also, I sought out a knowledgeable neurologist whose practice centers around treating RLS. There are still bumps along the road--RLS is not curable--but for the most part I have my life back. I'm happy to learn you have also had a good experience with buprenorphine. Research has found RLS is associated with a higher rate of suicide. You and I understand why that is true. It can be a truly horrible, terrible, hellish condition---unfortunately, made even more difficult by well-meaning, but ignorant, doctors. My neurologist isn't at Mayo, but I've been treated there for other things. I have the greatest respect for their doctors. I have warm memories every time I think of Rochester.

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sharshy | @sharshy | Jun 28 8:55am
In reply to @rjjb "Like you, I have had RLS for MANY years. The only thing that has given me..." + (show)
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Like you, I have had RLS for MANY years. The only thing
that has given me some relief is pramipexole 0.50MG (prescription).

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Thanks for your advice I have tried Pramipexole and it did nothing. I have been prescribed Mirtazapine 15mg an anti depressant because of the being so tired and lack of sleep and its been wonderful.

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sharshy | @sharshy | Jun 28 9:00am
In reply to @gratefulbob "Gabapentin can help with RLS" + (show)
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Gabapentin can help with RLS

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Thank have been on Gabapentin and Pramipexole and was awful. On Mirtazapine 15 mg and its wonderful because the whole thing was making me depressed.

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rjjb | @rjjb | Jun 28 10:21am
In reply to @sharshy "Thanks for your advice I have tried Pramipexole and it did nothing. I have been prescribed..." + (show)
Profile picture for sharshy @sharshy

Thanks for your advice I have tried Pramipexole and it did nothing. I have been prescribed Mirtazapine 15mg an anti depressant because of the being so tired and lack of sleep and its been wonderful.

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Is Mirtazapine a sleeping pill or a pill to ease the pain of RLS?

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sharshy | @sharshy | Jun 28 12:14pm
In reply to @rjjb "Is Mirtazapine a sleeping pill or a pill to ease the pain of RLS?" + (show)
Profile picture for rjjb @rjjb

Is Mirtazapine a sleeping pill or a pill to ease the pain of RLS?

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All I know is I get a good night's sleep. Sometimes I can feel the tingling but it's manageable. It's a antidepressants. Having a good night's sleep stops me getting depressed even though I'm not a depressed person. That's all that matters.

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suebillb | @suebillb | Aug 2 10:40pm
In reply to @rjjb "Like you, I have had RLS for MANY years. The only thing that has given me..." + (show)
Profile picture for rjjb @rjjb

Like you, I have had RLS for MANY years. The only thing
that has given me some relief is pramipexole 0.50MG (prescription).

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My husband who swears by per pack as the only thing that has held recently, someone has given him CBD with THC something we have never even one of us have tried in our lifetime so we will see what happens. I sure hope to see him be Without pain in his legs

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suebillb | @suebillb | Aug 2 10:41pm
In reply to @suebillb "My husband who swears by per pack as the only thing that has held recently, someone..." + (show)
Profile picture for suebillb @suebillb

My husband who swears by per pack as the only thing that has held recently, someone has given him CBD with THC something we have never even one of us have tried in our lifetime so we will see what happens. I sure hope to see him be Without pain in his legs

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Correction, he takes pramipexrole.

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rjjb | @rjjb | Aug 2 11:55pm
In reply to @suebillb "Correction, he takes pramipexrole." + (show)
Profile picture for suebillb @suebillb

Correction, he takes pramipexrole.

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Thank you @suebillb' and please keep me informed.

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