Gabapentin given for RLS

[Joanne7011]

Hi has anyone tried these tablets - my GP prescribed these today to try as I am surviving on around 3-5 hrs each night - I am only on 100mg dose once a night - just wanted some feedback if anyone has info - thanks x

[Joolsg]

I was put on gabapentin but a higher dose. I was on 600mg at around 7 pm and 300mg at 11pm. It didn't help without codeine as well. It helped a little, but like you, I never got more than 5 hrs in 1.5 hr slots.

I switched to oxycontin and pregabalin which are much better and I now get an average of 7 hrs over a 12 hr period in 1.5/2 hr slots.

You are on a low dose and it should be higher ( around 900-1200mg a day) for RLS. But increase slowly. Go back to your GP to discuss.

Gaba alone does work for people but you may find you have to add another med, like codeine or tramadol, for it to be effective.

Good luck,

Jools

[Joanne7011 in reply to Joolsg]

Thank you

[tupper in reply to Joolsg]

Yes, I take 2 Gabapentin 3 times a day with 1 or 2 if needed of Tramadol, this works for me very well indeed, the G. dose is is much lower than the previous wtriter at 300mg. I used to suffer from very intense bouts of RLS affecting arms, hands, back, and legs. I walk also after taking the pills around and around our apartment! Good luck, it really is a matter of trial and error until you find what works for you.

[Hidden]

I was on this for a short while before I asked to be switched to something else (I was frustrated by how long it was taking to work). It does take quite awhile before you feel the effects.

[martino]

I am on 2700mg plus a 2mg Rotigotine patch. Come 10.00pm I am fighting to keep my eyes open. I am also slowly reducing from 2mg of clonazepam. I sleep from 11.00 until 6.00 which I am very happy with.

[marsha2306 in reply to martino]

I thought 2400 mg was the max?

[martino in reply to marsha2306]

You can go to 3600mg. My doc and I had a bit of disagreement over this. It seems that there is a loss of potency the higher the amount is. It's like 500 for example gives 500 of benefit but 1000 gives 900 of benefit. The bigger the dose the bigger the effective loss of efficacy. I have not explained this very well but you will probably get the idea. In my case going from 2700 to 3600 would not give the incremental benefit that at first glance might appear.

[janeike]

I am on Gabapentin 800 mg 3 times a day but it is now for Neuropathy. Initially it was given for RLS along with Ropinarole. I did get some relief from this. It may make you a little sleepy but your dose is low. Did the Doctor recommend that you take this an hour before bedtime? RLS is terrible but having neuropathy is just awful. It is due to chemotherapy and it may or may not leave. Lyrica has now been added to my regimen of medications!! Yikes!! I wish you well and hope the Gabapentin helps you.

[marsha2306 in reply to janeike]

Pls see my previous reply about when Dr. Early at John Hopkins recommended to take it and about when to actually get into the bed.

[Bajatom]

I switched from clonazapam to Gaba. Did 100 mg for 3 nights, 200 for 3 nights -- nothing. But the next night at 300 mg I slept 7 hours. It's two years no and I'm back to 4-4 hours so may go to 300 at dinner, 300 at bedtime, as originally prescribed. If I and 1/4 mg clonazapam to 300 once or twice a week I can get 6-7 hours but leaves me a little groggy upon waking. Still up sometimes for an hour or so in middle of night. I also took iron until ferritin over 100 and stopped wine with dinner and changed to plant based diet.

[thoughtful12]

I've been on 300mg of Gabapentin for the last three years. I take it in the evening and it really helps me sleep. For me, there are a minimum of side effects. 100mg is a low dose - you may need to work with your doctor to raise it a bit. Good luck!

[Herve]

I have previously been prescribed gabapentin and it can be very effective but requires doses gradually increased to 1500mg to be truly beneficial. Be aware as with all medications there are side effects and not every patient can tolerate the drug at therapeutic levels. However, if dopamine agonists are no longer providing benefit Gabapentin can be a useful alternative. Does require careful medical supervision with titration of dose.

Pierre J. Herve

[marsha2306 in reply to Herve]

I had not needed my dose upped in over the one and a half years since I started taking it. Depends on the person. Recently I've had to increase it because of a painful injury to my cervical spine. My lower dose worked fine for my RLS.

[marsha2306]

I have been taking gabapentin for about 1 1/2 years. I started at 300 and the most I, personally, have ever taken is 900. I see a specialist at John Hopkins Hospital and the best advice he gave me was:

-Take it about 2 1/2 to 3 hours prior to your "usual" bedtime

-Do not get in bed unless you are very, sleepy; not only very tired.

Personally, I think your dose is too low.

[Joanne7011 in reply to marsha2306]

Thank you - I will take on board what you and others have said and speak to doctor - also it's nice to get some feed back on what time to take it

[johnmarg]

Studies show that the max dosage where RLS stops being effective is 900 MG. It said that over 900 does not give any extra benefit. I gradually increased mine and found that 600 is perfect. It is the first drug recommended for RLS as studies show its very effective rate of 90 Percent and minimal side effects and not habitforming and dangerous like opiods. good luck

[LotteM]

Hi johnmarg, where did you read that? Older studies with gabapentin had patients gradually increase their doses and effective ones were as high as 1800mg (of the top off my head). Would be nice to know and read about newer work.

[NikkiArcher85]

I started taking Pregabalin back in March after years and years of thinking I was going INSANE! I do take quite a high dose at night, but my quality of life is so much better now as I can sleep at night (as can my husband, as I used to keep him awake all night) and my concentration in the day has improved also!

I am trialing CBD oil at the weekend (without prescription meds) that has been tailored to RLS, so i'll let you know how I get on with that!

[marsha2306]

I take 600 mg in the morning (because I have other unrelated nerve pain) and 600 mg more for the RLS at dinner time. This usually gets me through the night.