Gabapentin

[SharonL]

I have recently come off Gabapentin (have been taking for 3 years+ for migraine) and have had the worst restless legs and arms, my doctor is, shall we say useless! He has advised I do more leg stretching, not sure how that will help my arms but what do I know? I have read that Gabapentin is prescribed for RLS relief but my GP apparently cannot see the link between me stopping the medication and the onset of RLS over the last 3 months. I am literally at my wits end and wondered if any of you had or are having any joy with magnesium sprays and tablets and iron for relief?

[Joolsg]

It sounds like you need to see a neurologist specialising in movement disorders. Iron and magnesium will help if you're deficient in those minerals but not otherwise. They did nothing for my RLS.

[Artsy]

I take magnesium but I still have times my arms will not let me rest. I take .75 of meripex use to take 1mg and a 1/2. I think the magnesium helps because I have been able to lower my dose of Meripex. I still have bad nights at times and have to take extra meripex and I get disappointed when I do. I'm trying to get off of the medicine slowly. I take magnesium calcium and zinc to help my RLS It's a vitamin and I think it helps. I hope you feel better I know how Drs just don't get it at times. They need to study how RLS effects our lives so they can understand and help us.

[Hidden]

I have tried everything with the doctors...Now I am seeing a Herbalist in Totnes Devon who also does Acupunture.. My second appointment is tomorrow.. I am having a course of vit B12 injections, one a week for six weeks, also several herbal remedies as his notion is RLS is from the liver needing detoxing. He looked at my tonge and around the edges it was pinker than the middle colour a pinky white.. My first appointment I took a print out of my full blood tests which my doctor was happy to do for me..This Herbalist is also a Registered GP who has decided not to poison people any longer with ghastly drugs that give awful side effects and to follow nature.. It's early days but feel better already..

[Somonja80 in reply to Hidden]

I'll try the magnesium, zinc and calsium.. i hope it will work..I was on pexola and it made me FAT FAT.. then dr recommemded the paroven and now i have less need for pexola. But..... the weight is still climbing the uhealthy mountain. ..

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Not a notion i have heard of that RLS is from the liver needing detoxing. RLS is neurological.

[Madlegs1]

First off- you should have been tapered off the Gabapentin. Both dr and pharmacist should have known this. NEGLIGENCE.

Get a new dr or your current one to put you back on the Gabapentin ASAP. Threaten to sue them if they don't .

I'm absoutely fed up with the incompetence shown on this site by some people in the medical profession. It is unconscionable that in this day and age we have doctors who don't know the very basics of RLS treatment.

(Ok - I'm missing my grandchildren too much)

You can certainly try mg spray and all those other products.

But if the original Gabapentin was working ---then ????? - If it ain't broke , don't fix it.

Good luck.

[Suckerbeagle]

I'm wondering why on earth your doctor took you off Gabapentin. I wonder if you can find a neurologist. Most primary care doctors are unversed in the treatment of RLS. Unfortunately so are most neurologists—but it's a good place to start. Having RLS means having to vet doctors, ask if they have experience with this or are willing to learn. You should not have to suffer like this. There are many medications which alone or in combination with others can relieve most of your symptoms.

If Gabapentin was working for you, why be taken off it with no solutions.. You are beyond the point where stretching works. I know, I've been there.

It's hard to have to go out in an RLS-unfriendly world and try to find the right doctor. We tend to think we're stuck with what we've got. I also went through this when I moved. With a bit of encouragement from a friend I pulled myself together and found the leading specialist in my area. He understood and helped me with meds, ect. Once again I was able to control my symptoms.

My best wishes for you. You are not alone and you should not have to suffer. Let us know how you are doing.

Warm regards,

Jeanne