After my diagnosis I was prescribed Pramipexole. Shortly after starting the drug, I noticed I was dozing off in the chair at inappropriate times. Over the following months, this got worse, to the point that I was face planting into my dinner, onto my laptop, into my artwork, and even spilling tea on my lap on two occasions when I just went to sleep without warning. I have always had erratic sleeping patterns, but this is different and does not have any impact on my regular sleep routine. As my dose of Pramipexole increased so did the occurrences of going to sleep without warning to the point that I once went to sleep while walking down the high street. In addition, I am now taking Opicapone and Madopar. I am also now being weaned off the Pramipexole this last few months. However, the sleeping is getting worse not better and as the Pramipexole decreases, so my tremors increase exponentially. Sometimes I am asleep for just a few minutes, other times it is over an hour. Between regular sleep and this medication induced sleep, I must now be sleeping in the region of sixteen+ hours a day. I wake up dazed and confused, I am tired all the time and it seems to be self perpetuating.
I don’t know how long the drug stays in the system, but would have thought by now if it was going to turn around I would have seen a change after all these months. I finish on the Pramipexole next month and have a video appointment with my doctor in early May.
Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Experiences of your own with this?
Hello Artgeek … “sleep problems” are a big part of everything I do. Although I never doze in a chair or fall asleep into my meal. Being tired or fatigued is a feeling I have when waking up. I generally do not feel at all tired when I go to bed. This fatigue limits everything I do.
I have a body fatigue & a head fatigue, both are different & do not necessarily occur together.
Best wishes
Steve2
Since you’re also on Opicapone and Madopar, it’s possible the mix is intensifying the fatigue or triggering rebound effects. Even though you’re tapering off, the cumulative impact may still be playing out. It’s also worth remembering that excessive daytime sleepiness can be a Parkinson’s symptom too, not just a side effect.
You should definitely bring all of this up at your appointment. Ask about adjusting your meds or switching to alternatives with fewer sedative effects. A sleep study or referral to a specialist in Parkinson’s-related sleep issues might also help you figure out what’s going on.