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Everyone with fibromyalgia knows how hard it is to get enough sleep. The condition leaves you feeling drained due to the chronic fatigue that comes with fibromyalgia and because of how it makes it difficult to sleep. But having fibromyalgia also puts you at risk of developing another condition that can make getting enough rest almost impossible. You see, around sixty percent of people with fibromyalgia also report having restless leg syndrome.
Restless leg syndrome is a condition where the legs spontaneously jerk when you’re at rest. The condition is usually worse when you lay down to sleep, which makes it difficult to drift off. But the good news is that there is a type of drug that can help manage the symptoms of restless leg syndrome called Mirapex. So, what exactly causes restless leg syndrome and what is its relationship to fibromyalgia? What is Mirapex? And can it help with restless leg syndrome?
Restless Leg Syndrome And Fibromyalgia
Restless leg syndrome causes jerking in the legs or even the other limbs. And it can also lead to tingling or burning sensations. Over time, the lack of sleep that comes with the condition can lead to chronic fatigue and difficulty concentrating. That’s why it can make dealing with fibromyalgia so much more difficult.
It’s hard to say what causes restless leg syndrome. The best explanation is that it’s related to the function of the nerves. Genetic factors or certain diseases can cause the nerves to be over-active, which leads to twitching in the legs.
And of course, it’s hard to say why the condition seems to be related to fibromyalgia. We don’t really understand the root cause of fibromyalgia anymore than we understand what causes restless leg syndrome. But like restless leg syndrome, we believe that the mechanism behind fibromyalgia may lie in the nervous system. It could be that the same over-active connection between the nerves that leads to fibromyalgia is playing into restless leg syndrome.
All we know for sure is that having fibromyalgia seems to make you more likely to suffer from restless leg syndrome. And that’s where Mirapex comes in.
Mirapex
Mirapex is a type of drug called a dopamine agonist. That means that it targets the receptors in your brain that pick up a chemical called dopamine. Your body naturally produces dopamine to regulate emotions, which is why things that stimulate the release of dopamine, like exercise, can make you feel better.
But dopamine also plays an important role in controlling the way your body moves. By engaging the dopamine centers in the brain, Mirapex increases the amount of dopamine in the blood, which prevents your legs from jerking when you’re at rest.
But, as with nearly any drug, there are a number of side effects associated with Mirapex. The drug is known to make people drowsy. And some people who are taking it have even reported falling asleep in the middle of the day or while driving. It’s always a good idea to hold off on doing anything like driving or operating machinery until you know how the drug will affect you.
And because the drug interacts with the dopamine in your brain, it can cause some strange behavioral changes as well. Dopamine plays an important role in the cycle of addiction. People with low dopamine are more likely to engage in risky behaviors like drug use or gambling. Drugs that affect the production of dopamine can lead to compulsive behavior. And people have reported side effects with these drugs like engaging in destructive gambling or increased sexual urges.
There’s also the risk of overdose. Anyone taking Mirapex should do so exactly as their doctor prescribes it. The dosing for this drug varies based on which condition it is being prescribed for. It’s also prescribed for Parkinson’s disease, and the dosing for restless leg syndrome is different than for Parkinson’s.
The dosage has to be increased gradually in order to reach the desired effect. So your doctor will likely give you very specific instructions for how much to take and when. Always follow your doctor’s instructions and consult with them if you notice any side effects.
The good news is that the drug seems to be fairly effective in treating the symptoms of restless leg syndrome. So if you’re suffering from the condition in addition to fibromyalgia, it might be worth considering asking your doctor about it.
So, let us know. Do you take Mirapex for restless leg syndrome? Does it work for you? Let us know in the comments.
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