Requip

I have been taking Requip for over 10 years. I actually switched to Requip XL a couple years ago. The XL version is once a day - non-XL is usually 3 times a day.

 

Has worked for me. I have been fortunate to have been on a low dosage - 12 mg/day until about 6 months ago when I increased to 18 mg/day (still waffling on whether to take 16 or 18 mg/day).  The 'normal' dosage is between 9-24 mg/day.

 

I had some drowsiness with the non-XL - would get the 'yawns' about 20 minutes after taking Requip. I have less drowsiness with the XL. I don't have drowsiness if I have had adequate sleep. Drowsiness is certainly a concern - especially regarding driving. I certainly heed that warning and respond appropriately. Compulsive behaviors - gambling, sex, etc - have been associated with the dopamine agonists, such as Requip and Mirapex. I have not had that problem.

 

Overall, Requip has worked well for me for 10 years. No significant side effects. But ... everyone is different and responds differently to meds. You'll want to titrate up/down on Requip over a period of time. Be sure to keep in touch with your doc and/or pharmacist regarding ANY side effects or concerns.

 

lizzy4451

Hi Polishdan,
When I was first diagnosed, I was on requip alone. It helped me walk better, but did nothing for the tremors. My first neuro had me keep increasing the dose up to 18mg/day. It was way too much and I had a lot of unpleasant side effects - bloating, chest pain, feeling very anxious and jumpy - it made me shake so badly. Then he lowered the dose and I started other meds in addition to the requip.

I will say that you have to be very careful if you're on requip and driving. It can make you immensely tired and can come on very suddenly. The literature warns about this and the fact that you can actually fall asleep without warning. I never fell asleep, but I did get extremely tired at times and had to pull over and call my husband to pick me up. So if you go on it, please remember this. I'm still on a very low dose (8 mg/day) and it no longer makes me extremely sleepy.

I wish you well.

Dan,

You asked whether I take anything besides Requip for PD ... No, I don't.

 

You asked why I increased (good question) ... I was on 12 mg Requip for 2-3 years. I tend to wait 'too long' before increasing my meds/Requip. I increased Requip because my symptoms worsened to a point where it bothered me enough to make the change. My tremor was worse. I was having some slowness of movement - an issue at work when I try to click on that ever-decreasing-in-size (or so it seems) check box.

 

I work in the Information Technology field whereby I am on a PC all day. I am a database administrator and under a lot of pressure at times. The more significant the issue, the more the tremor. I can definitely tell my symptoms are aggravated as the stress increases.

 

Early on I told folks at work about my PD. Hiding it was aggravating my symptoms. I thought a couple of folks knew and had noticed my tremor. After making it public, I asked folks whether they had noticed. Not one person said they had (can't say the same today).

 

OK ... more than you asked for. Requip has worked well for me. Side effects have been minimal. I have NOT had a significant issue with drowsiness - certainly something to be aware of and address.

 

 

Dan,

Have I considered adding something to the Requip? Not really. I consider myself to be fairly educated on PD meds and make a conscious, educated decision with my neuro's recommendations on my medical treatment options. I'm where I want to be right now. Thanks for asking.

 

It does, however, never cease to amaze me at how UNeducated folks are about their treatment options.

lizzy4451

Dan,

I understand and TOTALLY agree that folks should do their own research and be proactive in their treatment options. I am very fortunate to have an MDS who educates me and allows me to make my own decisions. I also read, search the internet, talk with fellow pwp and my pharmacist. I have been diagnosed for 10 years - symptoms 12-13 years - and have still never taken Sinemet (or Stalevo, etc). I have been very fortunate. I'm saving Sinemet for 'later'. Other meds continue to meet my needs.

 

Anyhow, short story is that everyone should do their own research. You are your best advocate!

 

lizzy4451

Sherwood
Oxford Biomedic trials?? What??

Dan

I think it's great when someone finds the treatment at the onset that works well for them. Anyone who can go for years without meds or be on the same med for several years is truly blessed. Having said that, we should realize that everyone is different in their disease presentation and everyone responds differently to medication. I've met pwp that have very few symptoms and those who had every symptom in the book from the start. That was me, for sure, and I was amazed that there were others that started out with relatively mild symptoms.

Everyone takes the diagnosis differently, also. I was in denial for some months and wanted nothing to do with literature or internet research. When I did decide it was in my best interest to find out about PD, I dove in and read everything I could find. I have become proactive. I've changed neurologists 3 times and finally have one who is a movement disorder specialist and who listens to me.

To say that someone is uneducated because they start Sinemet early on, is counterproductive to this forum. Make suggestions, yes! But not be judgmental. I'm aware of the consequences of taking Sinemet early, but am symptomatic enough that it's right for me as I was doing poorly on the agonists. I am on a relatively low dose and have not been on it that long. If it's possible, I would like to change meds at some time - but that's not the point. If someone is lucky enough not to be on sinemet, good for them! And I sincerely mean that. I'm just surprised that anyone who has the disease would come to the conclusion that all must follow one way. You don't expect to hear it from your peers. Make suggestions - absolutely! Come to inaccurate conclusions - absolutely not! But you are correct - you are your own best advocate.

Sorry - needed to get that out!