Gabapentin

[Star160]

Neurontin (Gabapentin) is for nerve pain.

Horizant (Gabapentin XL) is for pain and RLS.

In fact it's reported that Neurontin can make RLS worse.

Unfortunately Horizant is only available in US and not in UK.

[Madlegs1]

They both work for rls. Horizant just can be taken at lower doses because it is processed in a different way and is more effective and avoids the side effects of Gaba.

[Star160 in reply to Madlegs1]

I'd like the opportunity to compare both but unable to do so as Horizant is not available here yet (UK)...have you tried both? Neurontin does not help my RLS at all

[Madlegs1 in reply to Star160]

I'm in Ireland - so no Horizant. Have used Gaba for pain but now on oxycontin- so can't comment.

[Star160]

Neurontin works well for nerve pain in correct dosage

[Hidden]

I've taken Neurontin (Gabapentin) + codeine for about ten years and played with dose - 600mg Gab + 30mg codeine seems to work well for me, but I still have to watch caffeine consumption and get weeks where its pretty bad. Apart from dry mouth & occasional gingivitis for the first five years I've not had any major side effects.

Does it cause augmentation? Thougt that was mostly levodopa, although a couple of weeks after first taking the drugs it did seem to get more painful, but always thought this was in my head. I presumed that that once I knew RSL was a real thing I became hyper conscious of it, whereas before I simply thought everyones legs were painful when they rested - plus I had no idea what augmentation was until last year!

[Pippins2 in reply to Hidden]

No it doesnt cause augmentation x

[Hidden in reply to Pippins2]

In my head then so!

[Star160]

I only take Gabapentin for nerve pain as it doesn't work on RLS with me ...I take Roprinirole XL for RLS (for 6 years) which 'usually' gives me about 5/6 hours sleep at night but not always...Not sure about augmentation but don't think I suffer from it.

[Bganim1947 in reply to Star160]

I too take Gabapentin 600 mgs. morning and late afternoon, when I take my daily dose of Ropinerole 2mg. Extended Release. I find my regular Gabapentin to be helpful for nerve pain from a botched foot operation 12-years ago. I also take 100 mgs of Tramadol and 1 or 2, 28 mg. capsules of Iron Bisglycinate w/OJ. This works pretty well unless I'm overtired or emotionally stressed. I have been slowly reducing my dosage of Ropinerole w/guidance from the wonderful folks on this website. My goal is to get off Ropinerole completely, but I'm questioning what will happen w/my RLS? Will it go away? I know, Dream On! But it seems the keys Ropinerole I take the less I suffer from flare ups. So I do need advice about what kind of plan I can follow to manage my RLS??? Any thoughts? Ideas? Recommendations? There was a time when I didn't have it. Then one doctor put me on nortryptopine for nerve pain after that failed foot operation. That helped the pain, but I think it may have triggered the start of it about 12 years ago. I'd love suggestions or opinions about my trigger therory.

[debchau]

I'm using Ropinirole 1-1/2 tablets a night (about 6mg) but only (sometimes) works if I take it an hour before I go to bed, if I take it when going right to bed I wake up in 1/2 hr to 45 min with leg issues. Also if I take while my legs are bothering me it doesn't work. So most of the time though it makes me vomit in the middle of the night for no reason, I believe nausea is one of the side effects. But good thing is if I vomit in the middle of the night I can sleep at least 5 hours with no issues. My doctor recently tried valium 5mg on me, 1st night 1 tablet, did nothing whatsoever. So she said try 2 tablets, so I did and I remember waking up and going in my kitchen but other than that I was a zombie. My housemate said she spoke to me and everything and I was blank in the face, so she led me to my chair and I fell asleep. I have no memory of this. So no more Valium. We have determined I can take no narcotics at all, not even weed helps me. So my dr is sending me to a Movement Neurologist. I'm hopeful they can help me, I'm afraid when I get old and can't walk I will go crazy from RLS.

[Bganim1947 in reply to debchau]

Please let us know what this movement neurologist has to say.

[marsha2306]

Where did you hear that Neurontin can make it worse? I've been on it for a year & it has controlled my RLS 100%.