I came off Pramipexole after 7 weeks because it was exacerbating the migraines I suffer from. I've been prescribed Gabapentin instead and took my first dose (300mg) last night. It didn't help - and being awake with RL for most of the night after 7 weeks of wonderful night-time sleep was quite a shock to the system! The GP said to double the dose if there was no improvement after 2 nights, but that seems a bit quick to me. Can anyone tell me how long it usually takes for Gabapentin to kick in?
Also, that one dose has left me feeling completely spaced out today. Does this kind of side effect usually go away after a while? I have to drive somewhere in the car in a couple of days, but I don't think I'd be safe doing that if I feel like I do now.
Thanks in anticipation.
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Leggy_MacLeg
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Sorry to hear this. I recall you were prescribed pramipexole, really without any choice.
I see that your last post, when you started pramipexole was about 7 weeks ago. Now it seems you've just come off it.
It suggests that you've suddenly stopped taking it. Even at the lowest dose i.e. 0.125mg, there are warnings about the danger of doing this! In addition if you did stop suddenly you may be experiencing withdrawal effects which can start occurring within 24 to 48 hours after reducing it and more so after stopping it.
I apologise if I've misunderstood.
Some reassurance, gabapentin does have some fairly immediate side effects which are drowsiness, dizziness and possibly difficulty walking. It's best to take it about 3 hours before you want to sleep. Be aware that the later you take it the more drowsy you could be next morning. This can make you feel a bit "spaced out" as you put it.
These side effects can diminish after a few weeks, but during those weeks, it's best to build up the dose slowly and only take it at night.
I originally took it for nerve pain and started at 300mg, but in 3 doses of 100mg which the prescription for nerve pain, not RLS. Taking 300mg as a starting dose all at once will increase the initial side effects.
Pramipexole is wonderfully seductive. It was fir me. The first time I took I got immediate relief.
Don't expect the same with gabapentin, it takes 3 - 4 weeks to fully work.
In addition, 300mg is only a starting dose, you may need at least 2 or 3 times that. 900mg being a typical minimum effective dose for RLS.
So, bearing that in mind, I'd say you need to increase the dose at about 300mg per week. This is, of course up to your doctor.
Thank you, Manerva, for your reply. I wish the GPs at my surgery knew as much about RL as you do!
I did stop the Pramipexole suddenly because the doctor told me to. I was only taking one 0.088 mg and half of one 0.088 mg on alternate nights, but in view of what you've said I'll carry on taking them and ease off them slowly.
My ferritin level was 34, so I'm taking Gentle Iron plus an iron patch every other day. I guess it will be a few more weeks before I know if it's made a difference.
No comment on your doctor, but the warnings about stopping pramipexole suddenly are quite clear. There is a risk of something called neuroleptic malignant syndrome which is potentially fatal!
You'd wonder if someone telling you to do something that's potentially fatal is actually safe.
I suggest you reduce the dose by half a 0.088mg tab every two weeks to reduce withdrawal effects.
It can take up to 3 months for the iron to have any effect.
AS an afterthought. It might be a good idea if this doctor is made aware of his mistake.
It should be on the leaflet which comes with the tablets. This is a link to one such leaflet. You have to scroll down quite a way to where it says "If you stop taking pramipexole".
Although the warning abnout neuroleptic malignant syndrome applies to people with Parkinson's Disease, the leaflet still warns about stopping suddenly for RLS.
I take 600 MG a night down from my highest dose of 1800 (throughout the day) when weaning from pramipaxole I felt higher than a kite for the first week or more
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