Is this drug similar to Gabapentin I ask because I had or still least I think I had an allergic reaction to Gabapentin, my skin broke out in spots, they were. Quite small with a raised hard skin on top I only became aware of them a few days ago after I had been taking Gabapentin for about a week a three hundred mg dose. The spots were mainly on my arms and the back of my legs parts of the body I don't look at a lot! I see my gp on Friday and I need to ask him if there is an alternative drug I can use instead of Gabapentin and I saw that some people on this site are using or have used pregabalin . When I saw my neurologist recently she indicated that she was running out of options which scared my a but because I think I may be stuck with no relief from rls and insomnia?
I am getting by but it's a struggle. I do agree with a recent post that one does accept the lack of sleep eventually , a few years ago with the lack of sleep and jerking legs made me feel almost suicidal but over time my mind has become used to situation and acceptance has crept in coping mechanisms take over . I hope anyone in my previous situation can get a glimmer of hope from this.
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Hoochybaby
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Pregablin is a stronger version of Gabapentin in the sense that it is much easily absorbed if I'm not wrong. For your RLS and insomnia, I think a lot of it is down to the high dosage of Requip or any DA that you're taking because well you're in augmentation as you know. I think you could certainly do with mailing Dr Buchfuhrer about your situation. He would have some ideas I'm very sure which you could then take to your neurologist. I hope he's willing to listen to you. From so many experiences that I've read here, I think some kind of relief is out there for everyone. We're not able to because we don't have doctors willing to work with us. Keep fighting. Your life could be transformed for good.
Hi, Heatherlss is correct in that Pregabalin is both more potent and more consistent than Gabapentin. It is more easily absorbed, i.e. 90% of what you take no matter what the dose.
Pregabalin is also, I believe the precursor of gabapentin.
As regards your spots, with an allergic skin reaction to something you've ingested is usually red spots or larger areas e.g. hives. Itching is common.
I think you mentioned your spots were white.
If you stop taking the gabapentin and the spots disapoear, then it could be the gabapentin, but if they don't, then possibly not.
If you are allergic to gabapentin, then you may be allergic to Pregabalin as well. However, it may be a reaction to the "excipients" in the gabapentin, not the drug itself. e.g. the lactose and/or maize starch.
I concur with Heatherlss, it would be a good idea to contact Dr Buckfuhrer, although I imagine he will advise an opiate.
My understanding is that many people end up with what's known as "augmentation"---a worsening of RLS symptoms eventually---from taking pregabalin. In spite of advanced thinking about RLS (see RLS Foundation, for example) and the use of iron, magnesium and low doses of opiates being the best treatments, most docs continue to prescribe dopamine agonist drugs (the ones that cause augmentation) first. Thanks to this forum, I was able to avoid taking DA drugs and go directly to a low dose of opiates (one 5 mg. hydrocodone per night) along with plenty of magnesium glycinate and some iron supplements. I am blessed with a primary care doctor who is open to hearing information she hasn't had the time to catch up on. I agree with Heatherlss about contacting Dr. Buchfuhrer for further assistance. Best wishes to you for a good night's sleep!
Hi restlesssinger, did you make a typo about the pregabalin causing augmentation? It may, but the rates are far far lower than on the dopamine agonists.
As Lotte asks, I think you have made a typing mistake as regards Pregabalin and augmentation. Augmentation is caused by dopaminergic agents e.g. L Dopa Carbidiopa, dopamine agonists and Tramadol, an opiate.
The alpha 2 ligands, Gabapentin and its precursor, Pregabalin, , are recognised as an alternative first line treatment to DAs for RLS in the UK as they rarely cause augmentation, they have little or no effect on dopamine levels
Dopaminergic agents, (as above) all affect dopamine levels as do opiates, albeit in a different part of the brain.
Opiates can be prescribed for "Refractory" RLS in the UK, i.e. when the first line treatments have all failed.
No problem and no apology needed. It did seem as if you were avoiding both DAs and alpha 2 delta ligands. A2Ds (Pregabalin) before going to an opiate.
Some experts do now apparently recommend an opiate as first line treatment for RLS. However, at least in the UK DAs. OR A2Ds are still first line treatments. A2Ds can be effective for RLS without the risk of augmentation or Impulse Control Disorder whereas it is quite difficult to get an opiate prescription.
In my case, currently an A2D, gabapentin, is being effective for my RLS, but significantly, it's also controlling my nerve pain. When my nerve pain became severe last year, I was prescribed an opiate. I only took.it a couple of times, it had no effect on my nerve pain whatsoever.
It seems we are all different, what might suit one person might not suit another. What's safe for one person might not be safe for another. These are all very potent drugs.
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Under-informed medical profession..again 
Pregabalin 
GABApentin/ pregabalin? Same ?? 
Pregabalin 
