Talking to your doctor about RLS
You, your doctor, and RLS.
It is fine to start with your primary care physician, as a specialist is not required to diagnose RLS.
Your doctor can evaluate you for RLS, but you should know that RLS has only recently been widely recognized as a legitimate medical condition and all doctors may not be fully informed about its symptoms and treating it with MIRAPEX. You can make it as easy as possible for your doctor to understand what you are going through by preparing yourself for your appointment and, if necessary, asking your doctor whether MIRAPEX is right for you.
Here are the essential criteria your doctor may use for primary RLS diagnosis:
- Urge to move legs – usually accompanied by uncomfortable leg sensations
- Symptoms begin or worsen during rest or inactivity such as when you are lying down or sitting
- Symptoms are partially or totally relieved by movement such as walking or stretching
- Symptoms are worse in the evening or only occur at night
RLS is often overlooked or misdiagnosed.
Although up to 15% of the population may have RLS, the condition is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed.
The good news is that there is an increasing awareness in the medical community of RLS.
Why you should see your doctor if you have symptoms of RLS.
Because there are treatments available to help RLS patients, it is very important to see a doctor if you think you have primary RLS. Because genetics may play a role in RLS, you may want to encourage any family members with symptoms to see their doctor, too.
You could have primary or secondary RLS, or another similar condition. Only your doctor can tell. Don’t worry, there is no invasive, embarrassing, or painful test involved. Although there is no medical test to diagnose RLS, your doctor may perform some simple medical tests to rule out other conditions you may have.
Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on a physical examination, your symptoms, and medical history.
How is RLS diagnosed?
To diagnose primary RLS, secondary RLS should be ruled out. Secondary RLS can be due to conditions such as renal failure, pregnancy, or iron deficiency. It is treated differently from primary RLS. Your doctor will also want to rule out a number of different health conditions, including complications from diabetes, circulatory problems, insomnia/sleep disorders, and depression.
An appropriate assessment of RLS can also include checking blood levels of iron and a careful review of other medications a patient is taking.
Only your doctor can diagnose RLS, but if you have symptoms, don't hesitate to let him or her know. It might help to print out and bring the Symptom Checklist with you to your appointment.
Be prepared to tell your doctor if:
- You take other medicines (prescription or over-the-counter)
- You smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. Drinking may increase your chances of becoming drowsy while taking MIRAPEX
- You are pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant
- You suffer from a sleep disorder other than RLS
- You suffer from kidney disease
- You are allergic to the active ingredient, pramipexole, or to any of the inactive ingredients in MIRAPEX
- You have any problems with low blood pressure, dizziness, or becoming lightheaded
Think of working with your doctor as a team effort.
Although your doctor is responsible for diagnosing and treating your medical conditions, ultimately nobody knows more about you, than you. You know your medical history, you know the medications you are taking, and only you know how you feel.
It’s simple: the more information you can share with your doctor, the better the two of you can address your condition. So before you visit your doctor, prepare yourself by printing out the RLS Doctor Discussion Guide/Patient Symptom & Sleep Diary. Use this helpful tool to keep a careful record of how you feel, and be ready to share the results with your doctor so you can get the best treatment possible.
Download a printable PDF of the RLS Doctor Discussion Guide/Patient Symptom and Sleep Diary here
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Get answers to MIRAPEX frequently asked questions.
Get answers to MIRAPEX frequently asked questions.
Important Information about MIRAPEX: MIRAPEX is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
MIRAPEX may cause you to fall asleep without any warning, even while doing normal daily activities, such as driving. Before taking MIRAPEX, talk to your doctor if you drink alcohol or take other medications that make you drowsy as these can increase the chance that MIRAPEX will make you feel sleepy or fall asleep when you should be awake. When taking MIRAPEX, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, feeling, or tasting something that isn't there) may occur and you may sometimes feel dizzy, nauseated, faint or sweaty when you sit up or stand quickly. In clinical trials for RLS, the most commonly reported side effects of MIRAPEX that were more frequent than with placebo are nausea, headache, and tiredness. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.
There have been reports of impulse control disorders and compulsive behaviors in patients taking certain medicines, including MIRAPEX. If you or your family members notice that you are experiencing new or increased gambling urges, increased sexual urges or other intense urges, such as compulsive shopping or eating, while taking MIRAPEX, talk to your doctor.
This information is intended for U.S. residents only. Products discussed herein may have different labeling in different countries.
Please see full Prescribing Information, including patient information.
