Pregabalin daytime sedation

[wantokporo]

Anyone had this side effect go away over time? I am on my 5th month. Works great for PLMD but sleepy all day even with a good night sleep. Have had to increase dosage every couple of weeks, so maybe if I stay at one dose if that ever happens?

[Hidden]

Hi, I'm afraid pregabalin can make you drowsy.

I'm not sure why you have to increase the dose every couple of weeks if it works.

If you find a dose that works, then there's no need to increase the dose.

[wantokporo in reply to Hidden]

I have had to increase it because, while a lower dose controls the legs, I will have very broken disturbed sleep without increasing. Lots of folks have reported needing to increase Lyrica.

[Hidden in reply to wantokporo]

I'm afraid then, you're in a dilemma. Increasing the dose helps you sleep better at night, but then you'll be drowsier in the day.

I hope you find a balance between the two, especially as you can't keep increasing the dose indefinitely.

[Pam34]

I’ve been on the same dose of pregabalin (150mg) for nearly 3 years now and never had to increase it. It does cause daytime sleepiness but this has either eased or I’ve got used to it. It’s a small price to pay for a good nights sleep. The horrors of Ropinirole augmentation and withdrawal are still very much the stuff of nightmares. All drugs have side effects, I think you just have to weigh up if you think they are worth it. In my case there was no question. A good nights sleep is priceless.

Good luck

[Joolsg]

You were on 200mg at night last time you posted.

300mg is the recommended max dose for RLS so don’t increase above this and only take the meds at night before bed.

Pregabalin takes 3 weeks to become fully effective and side effects tend to diminish after 2-3 months.

You may find the daytime drowsiness improves.

Are you taking any other meds apart from Pregabalin?

[wantokporo in reply to Joolsg]

Thanks. I'll hang in there. No, just vitamins and supplements.

[wantokporo]

Emailed primary doc yesterday. He said I could add either Trazadone or Doxepin for sleep while still taking the Lyrica. Wish I had raised this while I was on 50 mg. which, as I said above, was effective for my legs. Now I wonder how much I might be able to reduce it and have it still be effective for my legs. I'm writing this to let others know if this happens as many of us have insomnia issues AND shaky legs.