Gabapentin

[Hoochybaby]

Hi I'm concerned about my use over Gabapentin my rls has been manageable but I've been taking Gabapentin at night in the hope it would help me sleep however it's having a strange effect in me although I feel tired at bedtime my whole body feels on edge and irritable and I can't get to sleep. I've been told you cannot just stop taking them but I'm desperate for sleep and had to resort to zopiclone which leaves me really hung over the next day. Also I feel full of anxiety is this a side effect as well. I'm between the devil and the deep blue sea if I stop will the rls come back with a bang? I'm having bad thoughts and fearful sometimes frightened of going to sleep any thoughts will be welcome I suppose another trip to the gp is called for?

[Joolsg]

Hi Hoochybaby,

Are you still reducing the pramipexole? I remember you started taking the gabapentin to allow you to sleep.

Depression and anxiety are documented side effects of gabapentin. However, you have also augmented on pramipexole and are starting to reduce the dose so you will also suffer severe depression and anxiety because of DAWS.

Definitely go back to your doctor and explain what is happening ( but under no circumstances let them give you an anti depressant as that will make RLS worse and won't resolve the issue of pramipexole and/or gabapentin being the cause of the anxiety).

I think you should discuss dropping the gabapentin ( as you have only been on it for 2 months it should be fine to reduce it quite quickly) and discuss an opioid like tramadol or oxycontin to get you through the withdrawal from pramipexole.

Withdrawal from pramipexole will cause severe sleep deprivation and increased RLS and anxiety and depression. It took about 3 months for the symptoms to settle for me.

I hope your GP is knowledgeable about RLS and DAWS. If you hit a brick wall, send an email to Dr Buchfuhrer at

[e-mail]

and explain what meds you are on, the dose, the timing of the dose and how long you have been taking them. He will reply quickly and you can then ask your doctor to read the response.

I hope you find a solution soon.

[marsha2306]

Try taking it earlier in the evening. I have tried 10 pm, 8:30 pm and 6:30 pm. I an consistently taking it at 6:30 now (I set an alarm on my phone.) The earlier time gets rid of those feelings-needs time to get into your system before you go to bed. And don’t get in the bed until you’re really, really sleepy. Not just tired.