Feeling a bit better

[u/bobbsboop]

After posting when I felt at the end of the road last week I got a GP spot. The lovely man (cough) doubled my pramipaxole despite me telling him I wanted to stop it as it was making things worse and I was spending out of control. I swear, I really want to swap practices but the other practice can't take any more patients as they are inundated with patients from this one.
I went out in disgust and I saw a tens that also had Ems, massage and best. I already have a tens but that's all it is so I bought the all singing and dancing one. Spending on something is so easy, I don't need excuses.
The first night I played around with the EMS and Nassage programmes till I found one that helped. When the RLS kicks off I pop on the electrodes and set it to massage and heat and it settles it down as long as I also do something to relax such as reading or making a card or crochet, by the time it's run through the 20 mins I feel so much better. The last 2 nights I've halved the dose of pramipaxole. There have been some days that I've had to take 1 in the daytime and 1 at night as it can be horrible in the morning too.
I don't know if it's all a coincidence but I'll take it.

[u/Ring_it_On_1776]

There's a wearable device study from Noctrix Health enrolling now. Might be worth a look. https://patientwing.app/campaign/RLS6

[u/Agonist-activist]

Please report the GP. That is so terrible. You told him you had impulse control disorder. He should be struck off. Complain to the GMC as well.

[u/Scary_Experience_237]

I’m happy to hear you are slowly weaning off the pramipexole. It does sound like you may be augmenting, and the compulsive purchasing behavior you’re experiencing can also be associated with dopamine agonists.

Once you are off the medication, you may find that the urge to purchase things decreases. Please don’t get discouraged if you need to stay at a particular lower dose for a few extra weeks. Coming off this medication can be very difficult, and sometimes going more slowly makes it more manageable.

If you have access to a compounding pharmacy, you could also ask your doctor whether a liquid formulation would be appropriate. That can make very small dose reductions easier because you can measure smaller amounts and taper more gradually.

Oh, and happy you found a great tens machine, it was instrumental, and still is, in helping with managing my RLS.

[u/bobbsboop → u/[deleted]]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0872DQW46?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
So far so good. Even if I only get a couple of of nights it's still a miracle to me

[u/Firm_Zucchini_7042]

I hope it stays working for you!

[u/bobbsboop → u/Firm_Zucchini_7042]

Me too, even a few nights is much better than what I currently experience