Gabapentin

[Memmy]

Hi, I saw a new neurologist yesterday who gave me gabapentin to try snd get me off mirapex but Ive woken up with a bad attack of rls in my legs. For the previous 2 nights I was doing ok with half an 0.18 dose of mirapex only. I took the mirapex last night too. I dont know what to do, should I carry on with the gab or stop. Help anyone?

[Madlegs1]

You need Tramadol to help you come off the Mirapex. See your doctor and ask for it. He may not be happy prescribing an opiate but it is the only option for you

There should be an article on this on

rls-uk.org

or

rlshelp.org

Both are good sites for rls help.

[Memmy in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks madlegs for the advice. I'll see if I can get through. How long do you think I should carry on taking both mirapex and gabapentin. Does gab take a long time to work?

[Madlegs1 in reply to Memmy]

You continue with Mirapex until you have come off it. Reducing by as small as dose as practical every three days.

Gabapentin doesn't help with the withdrawal, it is merely your new anti rls medication.

It's effect is cumulative and you build up the dose to roughly 900 mg max ( for rls). Generally about 3 weeks.

It is ok to take gabapentin along with other meds to keep the dose down. Read up on those sites I mentioned before.

Hoping you find relief.

As usual- check all possible triggers that may set off RLS.

Processed foods, artificial sweeteners, colours, alcohol,sulphites, caffeine- keeps you awake. And many more that may be personal to you.

[Memmy in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks, Im wondering how to cut the half of mirapex to a quarter. Does it matter if its not exact. The doctor said there wasnt a lesser tablet than 0.18 and how long should I take gab before I quarter it?

[Madlegs1 in reply to Memmy]

You can cut the pill with a very sharp knife- it may scatter or crumble , depending on formulation. Don't have to be desperately accurate-- you're coming off it anyway.😅

There seem to be various dosages of Mirapex, depending on Europe or USA. We ( in Ireland) have 0.088dose.

I'm not sure what is meant about the last question? You won't be quartering the Gabapentin.

If you mean Mirapex, then every three days is normal for tapering down.

Clonidin and Valium(just for a few days) is a useful medication to ask for, for coming off addictive meds, - if your doctor declines Tramadol.

Good luck.

[Memmy in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks again, My second question was how long should I have been taking gab before I start tapering?

[Madlegs1 in reply to Memmy]

Ah! It takes Gabapentin about three weeks to start having an effect, but , again it varies between people.

You'll probably take 300 mg for first week and up it by 300 a week to max of 900. After that the side effects are generally not worth it ,and anyway, Dr Buchfurer recommends that is the max effective for rls. Your Dr may suggest otherwise.-- Your choice.😁

[Memmy in reply to Madlegs1]

Thanks so much. Hope your rls is under control. I shall wait a few more days before I taper to a quarter. Im on 300mg gabapentin

[Memmy in reply to Madlegs1]

Hi Madlegs, sorry to keep bothering you but I quartered my mirapex last night. Not too bad a night with a lonaridN and 1/2 a Xanax. Now its 6am and my leg is bad. When should I increase the gabapentin to 600 and is it almost as bad as mirapex to get off?

[Madlegs1 in reply to Memmy]

You can up the Gabapentin by 300 each week up to max 900. If you come off it ,do it same pace. Not as bad as Mirapex.

[Memmy in reply to Madlegs1]

Hi Madlegs1, Hope you're doing well as can be expected with this horrible affliction. You mentioned that more than 900mg gabapentin was not worth the side effects. I dont intend to take more than this but what are these side effects. Im now 3 weeks into neurontin and doing ok not perfect but ok. Im trying to keep to 600 but sometimes I have to take 900 as its bad. Will I be able to stop taking tramadol as this concerns me. I dont want to get addicted to them. Thanks for all the advice.

[Madlegs1 in reply to Memmy]

Everyone has different reactions. But the one constant here is weight gain.

Are you also taking Tramadol?

That is a different kettle of fish. It is an opioid and usually very effective for rls. But not to be entertained unless absolutely necessary. Much harder to come off.

Mind yourself.

[Belsheart]

I'm in a similar situation. Jumpy legs tonight as I'm finally completely off of mirapex. Each time I've lowered the dose, I've had a bad time of it, so I'm figuring that now that I'm finally of If it, i will have a long night. If you are able to take opoids, I'd do it. I just can't take them, for other health reasons. Meanwhile, I'm doing my best to tough it out. As for gabapentin or lyrica, my impression is that those help with rls but not with withdrawal symptoms from mirepex

[Memmy in reply to Belsheart]

Thanks for the reply. Are you on gabapentin or lyrica and what dosage. Hope you are feeling better. My eyes look very puffy this morning. After waking last night I made a cup of tea and waited till my legs calmed. Then I slept till 7 so not too bad.

[darena in reply to Memmy]

Gabapentin and Lyrica are the same thing Daren

[LotteM in reply to darena]

Daren, not exactly. They are in the same CLASS of medicines, namely alpha2delta ligands. Like pramipexole and ropinirole are both dopamine agonists. But gabapentin and pregabalin (Lyrica) are different medicines.

[Parminter]

You will get withdrawal symptoms whichever way you do it, fast or slow. I still have to go through it, but I understand that you must expect about ten days of sheer hell before you come out the other side.

Opiates are the only help.

To taper, I have done this for benzodiazepines - crush the tablet to a powder on a flat dinner plate and make a long 'line' like a cocaine snorter. Then divide it up into X parts.

Put the plate somewhere safe!

Alternatively, ask your pharmacist to divvy it up - they love doing that sort of thing, rather than just push pills.

[Memmy in reply to Parminter]

Thanks Parminter I shall try that