EXTENDED RELEASE GABAPENTIN.

[Icansawmyfeetoff]

Hi, My doctor recently gave me samples of extended release gabapentin. I have been told the extended release is pretty new . It seems to work really good. My doctor called in a perscription for me cause finally I have had relief. I have had rls in my feet since I was a little girl. I am 55 now. What has been your experience with Extended Release gabapentin?

[Ninny1957]

I'm so glad to see that someone else knows about this drug. I take Gabapentin 2700mg a day. It does help, but not as good as it should. I can go days with no trouble with my legs, then all of a sudden they just decide to be wicked , there's no rhyme or reason why. So my Nuerologist called me in a script for the Extended release Gabapentin, my insurance refused to pay for it because I was already on Gabapentin and insurance said that I just needed to take more of it at night. I was already taking the most they could give me, but does the insurance company care, NOOOO !!! If I wanted to go ahead and fill the script it was going to cost me $1000. That's just for a 1 month supply. That's absolutely crazy, who can afford that. I think I'll call my Nuerologist and find out if he can get me samples. I have had RLS for at least 15 years now, and I can honestly say it has made a mess of my life, and caused me to have other health issues. It's taken a long time to finally get my legs under some control. I've had no quality of life for years. Just when I think there's a light at the end of the tunnel, it get's shot back down. I've been fighting a losing battle and it seems like insurance is always the bad guy. I'll let you know what my doc says. I'm so happy you have finally found something that helps you and gives you comfort. It's about time. Keep in touch.

[Icansawmyfeetoff in reply to Ninny1957]

My insurance wanted to also charge me 899.00 The RN at my job submitted to Genoa pharmacy which I think is affiliated with Bridges healthcare. They have a discount program with the makers of Horizant ( the name brand for extended release) they brought the cost down to 240.00 and then submitted to my insurance which brought it down to 40.00!! I was shocked! Can't your doctor talk to the insurance company? That's insane.. the pharmacist there told me he is amazed how much this has helped RLS patients.

[ijsgrandma in reply to Ninny1957]

There is another slow release Gabapentine too called Gralise. I took it about 6 yrs ago and it worked better than anything else I had tried. But, because I’m on Medicare (Medicare advantage plan), I wasn’t allowed to use the coupon on the website to get it for $25 a month. My insurance didn’t cover it until I requested an override. When they approved it, it was $100 a month. After 3 months it sent me into the Medicare donut hole and the price went up to $699 a month. I couldn’t afford that. They don’t cover Horzont either. 😒. Ive exhausted all other meds from augmentation or side effects. I try to manage now with CBD and small amount of THC. It works most of the time but isn’t perfect, maybe because I keep the dose down. I’m 70 and lived through the 60’s and lost too many friends to drugs. Makes me afraid to up the dose of THC much. But without it I’d never go to sleep.

[Icansawmyfeetoff in reply to ijsgrandma]

I'm so sorry to hear this. It makes my blood boil at the cost of these medications. People that never had to deal with rls have no idea how it takes our lives. The pure mental exhaustion from no sleep and the torture. Drives the way our days and mood will be. Will we die from rls , not directly but I've gone up to 4 nights with no sleep die to it and I surely could have had a accident trying to get to and from work. Never mind barely able to function. I've had it since I was little my earliest memory I was 7 but it wasn't my first time experiencing it. I do know the things that can trigger an all night episode so I try to stay away from those things. But sometimes it still comes. You try to explain it to people and they can't grasp it. If this has been around so long why isn't it Generic yet?

[Hidden]

For those who might not know what extended release Gabapentin is, its called Horizant, and not available in the UK. Its not that new, its been around a while now.

[Icansawmyfeetoff in reply to Hidden]

I was told by CVS that the extended version was new. I did mention that Gabapentin has been around for a while and how could it be so much ( they were charging me 899.00 and they said that the extended version was new. Maybe Still considered new to US or she was wrong. Yes the name brand is Horizant.

[Hidden in reply to Icansawmyfeetoff]

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved horizant in April 2011, following the New Drug Application (NDA) filed by XenoPort in January 2009. Horizant is the first drug in its class to have been approved for treating moderate-to-severe primary RLS. I suppose if 8 years is considered new than its new.!

[Icansawmyfeetoff in reply to Hidden]

I'm not challenging you, like I said I am just going off of what CVS told me and I said the pharmacy could be wrong.

[Hidden in reply to Icansawmyfeetoff]

Hey i am not being awkward just sending info on the med and when it was first approved, its also for any one else reading the comments, they might like to read it, if they dont know about Horizant, We are ok, yes.

[Hidden]

I have heard good things about Horizant. I don't know why we can't get it in the UK.

It might be because it's too expensive, It just isn't licensed, no explanation.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Horizant didnt become the big thing to prescribe as they thought it would even though it got pushed hard at the beginning of it getting approved. Its not used that much, compared to the other RLS meds.

[Tamaroy]

Hi, I cannot find anything on my Gabapentin that states SLOW RELEASE, I am taking 300mg in the late evening and when lying I can get relief for yourbetween 6 and when7 hrs a night considering I too have had this darned condition for years that's reasonable.

Regards

[Hidden in reply to Tamaroy]

It doesnt sound like your Gabapentin is slow release, sounds like the "normal" Gabapentin.

[jk3842]

I use Truax Patient Services for my Horizant. With insurance I think it's about $80. I am 79 and on Medicare. Try them as they offer good service.

[jk3842]

Truax Patient Services 844 289 3981

[BJamn]

I have been on Horizant for almost a year. It is decent but not perfect. I add 200mg of gabapentin in the early evening. I was on Pramipexole and used large amounts of gabapentin to help get off of it. All in all a horrible experience. Horizant is crazy expensive but we found a coupon or something on the Horizant website that cut it down to 25.00 a month with our insurance.

Good luck and God Bless.

[Icansawmyfeetoff in reply to BJamn]

Thank you, Do you experience any side effects ? I found it so far is the only thing that works without side effects? Pramipexal made me sleep in a half asleep half awake state and only would work for 2 nights then stop so I wouldn't take it regularly only in extreme times then I would have to wait hr or so to kick in. Also same with Over the counter stuff like Hylands that worked right away but only for the first night and not all night. Lorazepam worked for 14 years but it burnt my brain and it was hell getting off of them.

[BJamn]

No side effects that I can pinpoint. I take Crestor for cholesterol and antidepressants. Add to that the fact that I’m getting older....I don’t want to be too pessimistic but I have a sinking feeling that my best days are behind me. But still I am thankful for all the blessings I have experienced.

[Icansawmyfeetoff in reply to BJamn]

Sad to say but the RLS took a lot of what could have been great days cause of lack of sleep. But, here we are. Thank you for replying. I used the samples and had no side effects. I've yet to start on the perscription cause my RLS has been dormant for a week or so. I really believe things I eat exasperates it. Dyes in food and medicine for sure. I can't eat popcorn cause that for sure sets it off every time. Not sure if your in the USA But if so Have a happy Thanksgiving and if not have a wonderful day.