Anyone taking Gralise(gabapentin extended release) for RLS? How long did it take for it to start working?

[cloudwalker84]

I started taking Gralise 6 days ago for RLS and peripheral neuropathy. The tingling in my hands and feet seems to have gotten better thus far, but not the RLS. I was wondering if anyone else has taken this medication for RLS and how long it took for it to start working? I'm currently taking 900mg at around 7pm. I was prescribed 1800mg but was told to start at 300 and work my way up until I found a dose that worked. I haven't moved up past 900mg yet because I don't want to take more than absolutely necessary. I'm only 30, so I don't want to overdo it with the meds. I was taking clonazepam for the RLS before, and it worked quite well, but it only worked for a few hours at a time and the Dr. didn't really want me taking a benzo to manage RLS since they are addictive.

[Jaynielynne]

Is that right that the 'pam" drugs are working for rls? So is rls a muscle problem?

I always thought that those drugs were muscle and tension relaxers. Mind the

scale on Graise. Weight can creep up. It gives you and appetite and sometimes

leads to late night munchies.

[cloudwalker84 in reply to Jaynielynne]

Well, I definitely don't think that they use the benzos as a first line treatment. I was initially taking clonazepam for panic attacks, but it had the side-effect of also working for my RLS. I asked my Dr. about it and he said that, yeah, it will work for RLS a lot of the time. It is a CNS (Central Nervous System) depressant, and since RLS is some type of a neurological problem, benzos can work for it - at least this is how it was explained to me.

I just hope this gabapentin stuff starts working soon. I'm not taking the clonazepam anymore and my leg is going nuts!

[bvlgari]

Hi, Gabapentin was the first drug I tried for R.L.S. unfortunately it did nothing only made me put on weight. It did help my sciatica as its a nerve pain drug originally,so that's why your tingling is better. Hope it works for you.x

[Rubylane25]

I took regular gabapentin for rls and ended up at bout 3000 mg a day. It never did help.

It does I have heard cor some people but it didnt for me. We dont hve the slow release one here yet in Canada to my knowledge.

[cloudwalker84]

Thanks for the responses. What medication did end up working for you guys in the end? I'm gonna try to remain hopeful that it will work for me since I know that everyone is different, but we'll see

[cicek in reply to cloudwalker84]

Hi. I take Requip XL (slow release) but am on 4mg which is the max dose. I worked up to this from 1mg of the regular. It's doesn't work 100% these day and I am getting a few quite bad episodes. Still better than not taking anything. Don't think anything works all of the time as you will see from comments on this forum. I also take meds to help me sleep because even when the RLS is good I was still pacing the floor at night. (I will have to wean myself of the sleep meds of course very soon because I will become dependent). As you say "everyone is different" and you will just have to keep trying. There is of course no cure for RLS at the moment. Good luck.

[cantana]

Hi, I've been taking gabpentin 100mg in the evening for nearly a year now and it's been a godsend for me. I've gone up to 3oomg in the evening (with food, 8pmish) for a few days initially and then gradually reduced it down to 100mg a day. I feel this is just enough for me and am comfortable increasing it a little if the symptoms reemerge, my symptoms were fairly severe, both arms and legs every night, only getting a couple of hours sleep. Also used benzo's and opiates, both of which were effective but not advisable for anything other than short term use ( unfortunatly most doctors are reluctant to prescribe these). Best of luck to you, shame gabapentin hasn't been helpful.