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A MyParkinsonsTeam Member asked a question 💭
Adel, IA

Wondering if any has experienced this? Its not widely discussed, just wondering?

May 10, 2019
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Reactions
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

I am so sorry. No, nothing here. I am glad that you made me aware of it, though. Thank you. It is so very helpful to hear other people's symptoms and shared experiences.
Lisa

May 15, 2019
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

Dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS) is a recently (2013) described syndrome where patients withdrawn from long-term treatment with dopamine agonists experience a constellation of neuropsychiatric and autonomic symptoms.

The symptoms of DAWS include anxiety, panic attacks, dysphoria, depression, agitation, irritability, suicidal ideation, fatigue, orthostatic hypotension, nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, generalized pain, and drug cravings.

Only way to stop the DAWS is start taking agonist again, I will not do that; I was a demon on them.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23686524

May 11, 2019 (edited)
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

Daniel do you want to explain more what DAWS is?
Don

May 11, 2019
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

i stop meds often for a day or two to slow side-effects.
in fact i'm off today

May 10, 2019 (edited)
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

Completely stopping a medication is different than what i do. I reduce or completely take a day or two off. It gets harder to do now that things have advanced. Last Friday I was in great shape, moving well all day off meds with no dystonia/dyskinesia but had a big withdrawal headache on Saturday. When I first reported to my specialist, 5 years ago, that I had growing dyskinesia problems, his response was increase my levadopa by 50% daily and then i had growing dystonia as well. That's when I began reducing on my own and taking days off from meds. But to stop completely levadopa or a dopamine agonist then something else is needed to replace it and you will get new side-effects to replace old side-effects. In my opinion keeping meds as low as possible for as long as possible is a good idea. Also i'm guessing for DAWS that you need time to get through withdrawal and things will then improve in terms of withdrawal.

May 13, 2019 (edited)

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