Tapering Ropinirole Caused Me Some Scary Side Effects
I’m back! Not just figuratively, but also literally.
I recently took some time off to get my health in check. I was in the process of changing medications, and my neurologist had warned me that I might have side effects or withdrawal symptoms. Boy, was he right.
He had been slowly tapering me off the Parkinson’s therapy ropinirole, which can cause some serious side effects. Many patients on this drug experience a lack of impulse control, including things like overeating, excessive shopping, a hyper sex drive, and unchecked gambling. For me, the issue was gambling. I wouldn’t think twice about dropping $200 in a weekend.
While doctors were decreasing my regimen of ropinirole, they were increasing my prescription for Rytary (carbidopa/levodopa), another Parkinson’s treatment. I was fine with this until the last few milligrams of ropinirole ended and it completely left my system. I happened to be on a cruise through the Caribbean at the time, and I began to have killer stomach pains. We had two days left on our trip at that point, and I wound up spending most of the time in bed trying to sleep it off.
By the time we got home, I was in so much pain that my husband decided we should go to the urgent care clinic. There, the doctor diagnosed me with irritable bowel syndrome and gave me some medication he said would help to clear everything up. He added that if I didn’t improve by the next day, I should go to the hospital.
The next day, I spent seven hours in the ER before being discharged with medication for a urinary tract infection.
Two days later, I was still barely eating, and I was having a hard time catching my breath. I became winded every time I tried to speak. It was as if someone were repeatedly punching me in the gut and knocking the wind out of me. At one point, I tried talking to my mother-in-law on the phone, and she could hear me gasping for air after each word. She was so scared she almost called 911.
So, I went to a different hospital, but the problem ended up clearing up on its own.
That night, I had the craziest dream. As I have progressed through this disease, my dreams have become extremely vivid, making separating dreams from reality difficult at times. But that night, my dream was different.
A bright spotlight was shining on me as if I were an entertainer on Broadway. I started walking toward the light, and there stood God. He told me to go back to Earth because he wasn’t done using me yet. Minutes later, I woke up in so much pain that I cried to my husband that I wanted to go home.
He looked at me and said, “You are home.”
“No, heaven is home,” I replied.
Just another special Parkinson’s moment.
To top it off, I had been having severe dyskinesia. If you have never experienced dyskinesia, it is very scary. It feels like your brain has no control over your body, and you can’t stop moving. It isn’t painful, but it is very tiring. (Side note: This is what actor Michael J. Fox has.)
That Friday, I had an appointment with my neurologist, who looked at my symptoms and determined that I was actually experiencing withdrawal from my medication. He tinkered with my meds and got me on the track to recovery.
This experience was tough on me emotionally and physically. After nearly two months, the worst appears to be over. I am so thankful for my family — especially my husband — for helping me get through this latest experience and back to some semblance of Parkinson’s “normal,” whatever that is.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
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Comments
Richard Poulin
It is interesting to hear your perspective on the side effects of taking the medication and discontinuing it. My daughter has a condition that is often compared to as Parkinson's in children. She was too young to talk even if she could, so we always wondered what she felt when she was on it. Then she came off the medication as it was not helping her. Again we wondered what she was feeling. The doctor tried to explain what she may be feeling, but your story gave me a better picture of what may be happening.
Kathryn Folsom
I take Ropinirole for restless leg syndrome and have for years, but about 3 years ago, I begin gambling uncontrollably and have ruined my credit, my husband's credit and my dad's. I have suffered from depression and anxiety and thoughts of suicide. I've lost my home and my husband is divorcing me. If it weren't for my best friend, I'd be homeless and living in my car. None of his family or my family will speak to me. My hateful sister and middle daughter have turned them all against me. I also fall asleep any time I sit still for a split second. I am 63 years old, and have always been a good caring person, until 3 years ago, but people always want to judge you and cast the first stone. My RLS is so bad that I would not be able to sleep or function. I'm going to counseling now and trying my best to repay the debt I caused. I know that with God's help and the support of my best friend, that it will all be ok! I wish I could find an attorney to help me sue this medication company, so I could pay some people back. If anyone knows an attorney that will take my case, please email me. I've talked to several, but they wouldn't take the case. That's typical though, you can find a lawyer everywhere, until you need one! None of the compulsive side effects were ever explained to me by the doctor who prescribed the Ropinirole.
Judy Allen
I have been on Ropinirole for one week for Parkinson disease. It hasn't taken away the tremors but has raised my blood pressure. I am learning how this drug can cause dementia after being on it for long term. I am considering taking myself off but concerned about withdrawals. Has anyone taken this short term without withdrawal symptoms?
Isaac Wright
I found this to be really helpful, especially the part about God. I’m 20 years old and I was prescribed ropinirole for restless leg syndrome. The doctor had me start at 1mg, and just recently our “housemother” suggested I no longer take something that my body will be so dependent on. So she set me up with a psychiatrist over the phone who said to taper off by splitting the pill. We didn’t have a pill splitter so I tried using a butter knife, nearly impossible. I decided it must be extended release by its tough outer coating, and go figure you’re not supposed to split them. For a week I’ve been waking in the early morning with chest pains and just last night I had a near death experience in a dream of God being present with me. I’ve been terrified to go to sleep and here I lay in bed, I pray for another day. I’m not taking it anymore as of tonight.