RLS and Gabapentin

[Blu34]

Hi, I've been taking Gabapentin for quite awhile. (300mg 4x daily)Does anyone else have very weak legs on it? Every time I stand it feels like my muscles are tearing. I don't know if it's the drug or something else. Thanks (nonstop Suffering from RLS)

[m1946]

HiAre you saying that after taking your prescribed dose you are still suffering from RLS?

[Blu34 in reply to m1946]

Absolutely!

[joepublic]

No I get that too - plus huge stiffness in the muscles after sitting for a while.

[Sillyvester19 in reply to joepublic]

I do to and I have a drop foot which does,not help yes my legs feel very wobbly and weak

[Hidden]

I'm afraid gabapentin can affect the legs in some people.

I see that you are taking it 4 times a day. This is unusual. Normally for conditions like epilepsy or nerve pain it's only taken 3 times a day.

if you're taking it for RLS only, then it's usually taken only once a day i.e. at night. It's not advisable to take gabapentin during the day if you don't need to, because this increases the side effects during the day i.e. drowsiness, dizzziness and you most need it at night.

Cutting your dose down to only 3 times a day or even one, may help with the legs.

If not, you need to conasult a doctor.

[WideBody]

I have similar feelings. Is it the drugs, or am I just getting older? Am I contracting my leg muscles or are they doing it themselves? I fell like a guy who can ride his bike 100km, but I struggle to walk up the first two flights of stairs. Once I get going, I am ok, but getting out of the chair is rough, almost every time.

As for eating, I was desperate enough to start a Keto diet Jan 1st. We have an app that creates a meal plan. This means zero sugar or white flour, very low carb. So far I have been 100 percent compliant. It's amazing how motivating RLS can be. I can't really give an update yet but so far I am encouraged.

BTW, I switched to Pregabalin about 2 months ago. Big difference, I hope it continues.

[involuntarydancer in reply to WideBody]

I've been trying the keto diet for rls also. It's so difficult to tell if it helps however and it's such a sacrifice! So many things I miss. I agree, though, rls is a great motivator. I'm not sure I'd have the discipline to stick with it otherwise.

[WideBody in reply to involuntarydancer]

Ah, we can share experiences! My wife and I are using a free app "eatthismuch" . We put in our current weight and goals. It then generates meal plans, very easy to swipe through and change. We have some favorite meals. Meals can be Keto, low fat, etc. So far it seems to be easier for me than my wife.

As for RLS, day 20 no sugar, trying to stay in ketosis, we use Keto sticks to test. Again, way easier for me than for my wife. My RLS is still as inconsistent as ever.

[involuntarydancer in reply to WideBody]

It’s good to ‘meet’ a fellow sufferer! It certainly hasn’t been a silver bullet for my rls either but I suspect symptoms are slightly less pronounced. I started the diet in November but suspended it for Christmas. Symptoms got much worse after Christmas which may or may not be due to the sugar rush. They have yet to settle down.

I am pursuing the diet with my brother who is using it to help with his prostate cancer. We use a very well thought out book which provides recipes for every day. I don’t test myself too regularly - I use his kit and don’t like to deplete his testers. Sometimes I’m in ketosis and sometimes I’m not. Sometimes I just get too hungry and over indulge on nuts or keto coffee (usually decaf) but I think the over eating pushes me out of ketosis.

[WideBody in reply to involuntarydancer]

I am the inspiration for the Cookie Monster. I have like zero will power to cakes, cookies and custard. As of Jan 1, I am now 21 days clean... do I get a medal?

[involuntarydancer in reply to WideBody]

Absolutely, you do - if my experience is anything to go by. It is HARD going to stick to that diet and even harder if you enjoy sweet things -as I can attest. Well done.

[FLAME43]

I only took it for about a week, and reverted to Pexola as the RLS hit me hard during the change over, sorry could not be of more help to you Blu

[atwitsendd]

Hi Blu34. I have been on Gabapentin for a few years at even a little higher dose because I also need it for neuropathy but I can't say that I have ever had weak legs on it. You might want to check that out, it just doesn't sound right. I hope you find your answer.

[Blu34]

Thanks!

[involuntarydancer]

Yes! I got that. I felt like my legs were collapsing under me. Not exactly awful but not uplifting either. And it did make me wonder what else the drug was doing to my brain (such as it is).

[involuntarydancer in reply to involuntarydancer]

Sorry, I should say, it was pregabalin I was on, not gabapentin, but the symptoms sounds exactly the same and it is the same family of drug.

[Blu34 in reply to involuntarydancer]

Did you continue taking it? If so, I hope you're doing better.

[involuntarydancer in reply to Blu34]

No, I stopped it. It didn’t help my rls much. I’m pleased for those it helps but I was almost glad it didn’t work for me, I hated being on it so much - even though this meant my treatment options were reduced.